Highlights from my last trip to Jeju. (**WARNING: Very adult content**)

During the weekend of Lunar New Year, I visited Jeju. I knew it would be one of my final visits to Jeju, but I didn't realize it would be the final trip.

COVID-19 had already sprouted in China, and Korea was worried. Arriving at Jeju International Airport, I saw it was easier to count the individuals who weren't wearing facemasks.

Once I arrived in Seogwipo (the main city on the southern coast--where most of the tourist spots are), the atmosphere was completely different. Hardly anyone wore a mask. The vibe was very chill (it could also be because it was windy).

I checked in to the hotel Kenny Story Inn. I was positively impressed. I would compare it as a four-star hotel trying to disguise itself as a budget hotel. I was in for a treat when I saw I got a corner room on the eleventh floor: two sets of windows with two different views + constant, yet chilly breeze (this was the end of January). Could this hotel get any better?

It could!

How? In one word: breakfast.

This breakfast is reason enough to stay at this hotel.

The Museum of Sex and Health

This is where the content gets very adulty.

However, as I took many pictures here, I will only post those that are kosher, as I don't want to get into legal trouble.

Entering highly adult content

I didn't realize how connected so many things are to sex.

Self-explanatory

Important information

Thank you! I knew older people have sex too!

Condom usage frequency by age

Random food shots

Mashed potato and gravy tart at KFC.
First time I saw and ate this.
I did not regret it.

Kenny Story Inn's breakfast buffet is legit.

Great fuel for the day

Baghdad, the best Indian restaurant I've ever been to in Korea.

I met a former coworker, and we were able to catch up for a while. We even got to video call my that-time boyfriend! There were other people I wanted to meet, but it didn't work out. We had hoped to see each other again, but that now has a huge question mark. Hopefully, we can meet up again one day--with my husband.

Four places to check out in Busan

I met my friend Greg in Busan during the weekend of August 4th-5th. We went to quite a few really cool places, but I only took pictures in four of them. Thought I'd share them with you below.

Ecotopia Vegetarian Restaurant

This place is worth a trip to Busan, even if you're not a vegetarian. The atmosphere is very cozy, with plenty of natural light and an outdoor eating area. They have Facebook and Naver, and are mentioned in Happy Cow.

Forgot what this was, but remembered it's good.

Racoonamatata (Racoon Cafe)

Yeap, a raccoon cafe in Busan. I believe there are others, but we went to this one. I'm not a major fan of raccoons, but this was a pretty cool place. You can check them out on Instagram and Facebook. 

From the outside, looking in.

Know before you go.

 "TempurCinema" at Centum City, Busan

Why sit on a stiff, upright chair at the movies, when you can recline as you wish on your own Tempurpedic bed?

I kid thee not. 

They do cost a pretty penny (40,000 KRW per bed), but it was a fun experience--then again, we watched Mama Mia 2, so that may have added to the overall fun memory.

Here are articles by Business Korea and CNBC.

Our beds/seats. I know, my camera's not the best.

 

Dala Chocolate Cafe

If you're going to start a diet, make sure you do so after visiting this place. Their main attraction is the dinosaur egg bingsu. Greg and I thought we'd try that and a brownie. Needless to say, the two were too much for us, and we were "chocolated-out."

This place is quite popular. In case you don't believe me, here's their Facebook, Instagram, KoreaBridge article, SoraNews24 article, Fulbright Korea Infusion article, and I'm sure you can find more on your own.

What's crackin'?

See why that egg and the brownie were too much?

If you get a chance to go to Busan, be sure to try and check some of these out--and possibly save the others for a future visit!

First International Guest!

For the first time since I arrived in Korea back in 2010, I had an international guest!

By "international guest," I mean someone who flew into Korea to visit me and stay with me. I've had guests before, but they all lived in Korea at the time they were my guests.

But wow, did she have quite the odyssey to get to me...

She started with a domestic flight to New Delhi (she lives in India at the moment). That was fine. Then, her flight from New Delhi to Shanghai was delayed for almost 3 hours. That meant, she missed her connecting flight from Shanghai to Busan, South Korea.

No worries, though. They just put her on the next direct flight to Busan--the following morning (it was the afternoon of the day she was supposed to arrive--actually, the time she was supposed to walk into Arrivals in Gimhae Airport). If she couldn't catch that one, the next available spot was on a flight on July 18 (!!!!). What's really messed up about that date, besides the ridiculous wait time, was that that is the day she's supposed to leave Korea to return to India! I asked if she could get on a flight to Seoul at least, and they said no, that all flights were full. Blast.

The next morning arrived, and she made it for her flight. Only this flight was also delayed about 3 hours. This time, I expected a delay. I even told her to be ready for another one. Korea (or the southernmost region) had just officially started its rainy season. It rained every day for that entire week (and beyond). That affected the flights. Ultimately, she got on that flight and made it to Korea!

Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, from the palace looking towards the main entrance--and modern Seoul.

We had a great time during her 3-week stay. It was not ideal, since I had to teach classes everyday, but at least she was able to rest and relax at my place. After school, I'd take her out to try different kinds of restaurants (Korean and non) and cafes. On the weekends, I took her to Busan and Seoul. We took a break her last weekend, but it was forced upon us (I was hospitalized).

The Pancake Epidemic (Nutellargasm and Blueberry)

*Friend & Guide (Sungsu), yours truly, and Danielle relaxing.

Taking selfies of each other in a traditional Korean house.

At Bukchon Hanok Village. Good to know, after touring.

*Raccoon cafe near Sookmyung Women's University Station.

*Same cafe, but they also have 2 pigs and a HUGE corgi (not pictured).

Surprise! First time being hospitalized--since birth.

She's back home in India now. Fortunately, her journey back went just as planned without any hiccups. We're dreaming of when and where we'll meet again. Maybe Poland . . . ?

*=Pictures taken by Danielle or from her camera/phone.

Winter Vacation '18_Part 2: Jeju (13.-16. Jan. '18)

A few changes

Some of you know I used to teach and live in Jeju. I visited Jeju last August, but I wanted to meet up with a few people now in the winter, hence why I went.

Having in mind I moved out 5 years (!) ago, things understandably change. Somehow, things tend to change much faster in Korea.

One such change was the addition (or transplantation) of the city bus stops from the side of the road to the middle of the road. Below are a few pictures of what I mean.

Jeju City Hall bus stop--in the middle of the road.

Stop lights for the cars and the buses.

Other changes included the buses themselves. They were newer.

The bus routes changed to include other areas outside of Jeju city, even down to Seogwipo. Before, if you wanted to go anywhere outside of Jeju City, you had to go to Jeju Bus Terminal. Not anymore!

The bus numbers themselves were changed too--and this was the one that threw me off the most. When I was there in August, the buses had the same numbers as before. I come back 4.5 months later, and they are COMPLETELY different! It took me a while to understand my beloved 500 bus was now 365. It's equally dear cousin, the 502, was now 360.

Things never stay the same.

Other random sightings

So I took the 365 (formerly the 500) over to the end of its route (Jeju Halla University). Why? For memories' sake. On my way there, I was quick enough to catch this sight from the bus that caught my attention.

Is this the hair salon's idea of advertisement, two poodles?

Near the Halla University is a park they recently finished (maybe it was finished when I was there in August, not quite sure). Something there caught my eye. Here it is.

Comfort Woman Statue, lovingly covered up from the cold.

Close-up

You should check out this cafe

Down a side alley near City Hall, you will find a cafe called, "Lee SeongPil: Acidity & Full Aroma & Sweety Roastery Shop."
I kid you not.
I liked the atmosphere and the natural lighting coming in from a good 1/3 of the property. I forgot what kind of tea I ordered (maybe Rooibos?), but it was just right. The huge muffin I ordered was also plenty--but the good kind of plenty.
I took a few pictures--and a short video--you can see here.

There's the name.

Opens 11:30 - 22:00 Tue. - Fri., 13:00 - 22:00 on weekends, and is closed on Mon.

The menu

I don't remember ever seeing a wooden certificate before--paper certificates don't count.

Wanna get away?

I just came across this mural near my hostel and thought it was very well done.

Wanna get away?

Those are all the pictures I can share from Jeju.
I met with former colleagues, former students, and current friends. We got caught up in each other's lives. I did not take many pictures with them, but I'd rather keep those between them and me.

I left Jeju Tuesday morning. Where did I go?
Not back home! I still have the rest of the week as vacation and I want to go somewhere.

I did just that. From Jeju, I flew straight to Taiwan and stayed there until 3 am Monday (22nd) morning.

Let me show you how Taiwan was like.

Rest area, Owl Guesthouse, and a bakery that sells REAL bread

So I went to Seoul on Saturday, 23. Sept. to a friend's birthday celebration going on that evening.

Since the venue would be near Seoul Express Bus Terminal, I decided to take the express bus directly there.

A view of the rest area. Definitely not like in the States!

The rest areas in Korea are almost a destination in and of themselves. They've got all sorts of (overpriced) food and snacks, toilets (where everyone goes), sometimes even cafes and stores.

After a 15 - 20 min. stop, we continued on our way to Seoul (buses usually stop at a rest area half-way through their trip).

I arrived. My friend and other friends ate dinner and went to a norebang (karaoke) and enjoyed ourselves (even though I had a sore throat).

It was off to a hostel for me. Fortunately, I booked one nearby called: Owl's Nest Guesthouse.

I can honestly say this was one of the best hostels I've ever stayed at.

The lady running it (with her mother) was lovely, helpful, and spoke excellent English. Well, she did live abroad for about 6 years in Scandinavia, so I guess that's to be expected.

I did not sleep well, but that was 'cause I was sick.

In the morning, I went downstairs (hostel is 3rd or 4th floor, restaurant/cafe is 2nd floor).

The next picture was my breakfast.

You don't get this kind of breakfast in any hostel!

Ok, yes, I did need to pay extra (6,000 Won), but heck, this was worth it!

Afterwards, her mother sliced some apples for the guests.

My sliced apple

I really liked it here!

If I don't have anywhere else to stay in Seoul, I'll definitely come back here!

How it looks from the outside.

This hostel is 2 stops from Seoul Express Bus Terminal. Shew, I walked back to the terminal from here! You could use either Line 7 (Nonhyeon Station) or Line 9 (Sinnonyeon Station).

Very convenient and recommended!

I met with other friends later, and we ended up (after lunch) at a bakery/cafe in Dongdaemun district.

Said bakery/cafe

They had real, "old world" bread!
But I'm not sure how legit they really were. In Korea, if it is bread, it is sweet by default. Even garlic bread is sweet (ugh!).

Sorry, but gotta rush. I have a Chuseok vacation to go to and enjoy!

Steak Factory (Fusion Restaurant) in Masan

Where in Masan can you eat and have a view of the major 5-road intersection right in front of Gyeongnam University?

At Steak Factory on the 4th (?) floor!

Said view of the 5-road intersection

An idea of the inside.

A better idea of the panoramic view inside, with ultra-bright daylight.

My meal: the chicken "steak" (basically a patty).

I liked it. It wasn't the best, but certainly not the worst.

It's between Gyeongnam University and Masan Nambu Bus Terminal.

The logo on the table.

***Very random picture alert!***

POLISH Product in Korea!!!

I couldn't help myself. I was just so excited to see something in Polish.

Random Spottings (Masan & Jinhae Marine Park)

Whoops, I forgot about these pictures...

I was walking along the bay within minutes from my place, and came to this area:

panoramic shot

Looking towards Masan City

A pair of fisher boats.

That was just a random walk.

Then, I randomly stepped inside a Japanese restaurant called: Haruya (하루야)

It seemed ok, and I enjoyed the food (wow, so detailed, eh?).

I found a website about this place, but it's in Korean. You can click here anyway, though.

My order of chicken cutlet (Chicken Katsu)

About 2 Sabbaths ago (Sept. 16?), I went with the youth of the local church on an outing in the afternoon. I don't know the name of the first place we went, but the second place was Changwon Marine Park (formerly known as Jinhae Marine Park).

We honestly didn't bother with going inside. We just wanted to check out the bridge that was right behind the park.

The bridge

The stormy weather at the site (a typhoon was coming).

On the bridge.

Whoa, it was windy.

Very windy.

Looking back at the marine park.

See the zigzagging trails on the hill?

Bridge + Changwon Marine Park 

Changwon Marine Park - Bridge

There's a small fishermen's village on the other side of the bridge, with restaurants and bed and breakfasts and such.

A typhoon was going to pass by (well, more like we were going to feel the effects of a typhoon as it was on its way to Japan), so it was best to leave.