Vacation Destination -- JEJU-DO ROCKS!

Wow...I'm on a real vacation! Is it vacation or holiday? Good question. Apparently it's where u come from that depends on the terminology. Hmmm. Anyway, I'm here on this volcanic island, and I feel like I'm on Asia's Hawaii, and that it is. It's honeymoon location for Asia too, that's for sure. Vacation destination that's for sure.

I got here on Friday night, and had no accommodations booked, no idea of exactly where or what I wanted to do besides some ideas from friends who had come here before. Some of those things I havent been able to do, but most of them I have, and I'm happy with what I've done here. Even if it's been alone. I mostly like travelling alone cuz I get to completely absorb everything...but I've decided I would prefer to travel with someone. But that someone would hopefully be that special 'other', or someone who doesnt mind my stopping and gushing over everything enthusiastically, or taking pictures of everything, or likes to go by the seat-o-yer-pants (ie. no solid plans, just ideas...) and the idea of "I can DO it"!

Love it. BUT, I also discovered that it's good to have a bit more of an agenda/plan. Not having one is okay too, but it keeps you going a bit more when u have an idea of what you want to do, or what you'd like to do. Ya ya, I can hear all you people who wouldnt DREAM of going anywhere without doing this, or you're saying 'ya wendy, DUH'!! Well hey...that's how it is in my world. And I've learned a few things. Also that I can do it! And I can be a woman and travel alone in Korea no problem.

Tonight I made it to the miniature land park thinger, and after was waiting on the sideof the road for the bus right outside the entrance, and a family in their rented white shiny car pulled over, and asked me where I was going. To Jeju city I replied, and they said we'll give you a ride! So there I was, in a nice car with a nice Korean family. THey said what they could in English/Yongo, and I said what I could in Korean/Hangul. It was fun. It made me miss the days where I travelled and moved across the country (Canada) with my family. I miss my sister!! There were 2 sisters/girls in the car, and they were cute.

So we got to Jeju, and I got out and looked for a PC room/bang to download ALL my pictures in. I'm Hungry though..and I'm craving pizza, or maybe I should be healthy and find some bibimbap. Hmmm...

I gotta download all these pics first though. i LOVE Flickr!

So lets see...what did I do this weekend.
Arrive Jeju City 8 pm Friday night
Looked at a tourist online site to find out what I wanted to do and what there was to do
Walked around Jeju City after taking a bus downtown somehow
Got a pair of pretty Korean shoes! only 15! I wish I got the other ones that were shiny gold and jewels on them too...
Found a Jimjilbang

Sat:
Wandered around Jeju City
Found the Love Park...is this appropriate?!
Wanted to find the Mysterious road...time was ticking and my feet were hurting
Went to the Hella Arbetoreum
Petted a DONKEY! Was going to ride him, but didnt. I've never seen a donkey to ride before! ha ha
Taxi to the bus terminal.
To Seogwipo on the other side of the island where apparently everythign is (how cool is that name..Seogwipo?!)
This island is beautiful!
Went to eat at a really cool down-n-out family restaraunt. Yum..black sauce and noodles are yummy. ONe of the guys there did a show off sexy dance for me! It was hilarious!
Went to find a way to the beach/falls
Got there finally, and it was getting dusk...found the falls...WOW. Sat there and looked up at the stars..yes! there were stars to be seen here! Felt a bit lonely with all the honeymooners or couples around.
Amazed at all the volcanic paving stones. This river is fantastically perfect as well as the falls
Did a drawring
Went to find a taxi-he took me to a jimjilbang in the WOrldcup stadium! Interesting. And very very nice. THe most authentic one i've seen yet. Was a bit too hot to sleep in comfortably though. No worries.

Sunday
Woke up, amazingly enough. Got ready
Went out...look! There's a balloon! Went traipsing through some mandarin field to find amusement park! The guy there spoke pretty good English. I came in through the back side!
It cost 22000 won to ride and admission. You have to go through the maze first. Ok. That was more fun than I thought.
Just in time for the balloon ride. Up up and ...wow this is smooth! See movie clip for experience. Wow, theres the ocean horizon with nothing out there!
Down down down.
Instructed to go on trampoline/bungy ride. Wasnt sure if i wanted to but I thought..heck...I'd better do it! It's "free" Wow that was too much fun!
off to the next location....Emart. Could I just stop shopping?! Ha ha. Got some salad..no bikini though as planned. They'er too expensive! 75 for a 3 or 4 piece. Hmmm..
Took bus to the Jongnam resort. Wow.
Teddy bear museum first....Yes, teddy bear museum. And the building was amazing..and the teddy bears intersting enough. Largest teddy bear museum in the world.
Dumb camera and these AA batteries keep dying on me. UGH. NEVER will get a camera without a lithium battery...but at least I can go and buy the AA's at the store anywhere....
Pictures pictures
I'm officially becoming an expert in taking pictures of myself. How embarrassing...well not necessarily in Korea. Love it. I dont have to feel self-conscious here about taking my own pic in public. EVeryone does it. And why not?
I WAS HERE! And I can prove it!
To get batteries...WOOO! Pitstop in Cinnabon/Seattle's best! WOW was that ever GOOD!
Stop to take picture of Hooters Hof sign!
Back to teddy bear museum to finish off..
Went wandering to Lotte Hotel.
WOW
WOW
WOW
WOW
WOW
I got all teary eyed, and I feel like I've finally had my own honeymoon! HA ha..well not quite...but hey..the thought ran through my mind. I'm missing someone! Darmit! U know who u are...;)

Wandered down to the beach
Met a girl Kelli, and James, and Stew
Ended up hanging out...got dark, looking at the STARS and horizon at night is awesome. I miss Vancouver for that...deja vu
Walked up to the Hyatt...met an Indian guy who was a magician. Took picture
Went into the Hyatt looking for a toilet
Wandered the halls!
Went to taxi to town.
Got a pizza and ate it standing around a street toy machine...YUM Hoping the tonnes of birds above us dont give us a white shower! Ewww!
Went to noribang with Koreans we met on the street!
Wow that was fun
Found a jimjilbang...sleep...

Woke up just before sunrise. Glad I did. That was cool...

Monday:
Woke up again ..found a mat somehow during the night...yay..and a pillow!
got out the door by 11
went to find bus
and mandarines...did i saw how AMAZING they taste here? NOTHIGN like it!
Bus to bus terminal
Taxi took me to a bus terminal...dont remember that mis-connection
He was amazing...came in to communicate for me! My Korean to him was pretty good! I"m impressed with myself
ON the bus...thought i was going in the wrong direction..who cares...its an island!
Hour later, I get off at the side of a road that points to the Caves I want to see. Hoping to find a taxi..no luck...I start walking. Too impatient.
The sign says 3.8 kms. SUre..here we go! I can do it!
After 2 kms or so a car decides to ask me wher I'm going..and they end up giving me a ride right to the door! Wow. only in Korea
Walked around....went to see the caves
Went to leave, to go see Mini Land...and find out that I"m too late. They close in 2 hrs and no bus goes directly there, and I"m on the other side of the island. BUT there's another one close...and it costs 20 000 in a taxi. Whew...well sure why not. Eeeks that's expensive. But ...
So I do it, and get to 'Mini mini land' in luxury. Through the middle of the island and a lot of horses. I want to ride them too...but no time. See a folk villiage, drive by the crater...
Arrive at mini mini land.
Annoyed cuz they guy that was helping me to get a taxi at the 'cave' place was there!?!! What the?/??? I said hi just like that...as IF. HE could ahve given me a ride or something. But maybe I'm glad he didnt. Still!
Pictures pitures of Mini everything. Yay! I can say i was 'There'!
left
Got picked up by Korean family in White Shiny car.
Arrive in Jeju
Find PC bang..
here i am
gotta go find the ocean concert hall
gotta find something to eat
gotta find jimjilbang to sleep
WHEW!

A bit of a run on ramble..but hey..it was fun

Tomorrow am bright n early...4 or 5 hr ferry ride to Mokpo
Bus home (1 hr or so)
Relax a bit....who'm i kidding? I'll prolly be bored and lonely again
But i had a GREAT vacation!

Miss u all...;)
Who wants to come with me next time?