Each fall (dates vary based on the Lunar calendar), Koreans celebrate the fact that their ancestors were great people who produced life and culture and history. It’s sort of like Thanksgiving, in that they get together with family, eat a big feast, and have an air of thankfulness.
It also meant our first few days off school. We were only 3 weeks into classes, but it was still most welcome. We spent much of our 4-day weekend camping and hiking two Olle trails on the east coast.
We had a group of 9 from KIS. Here we are at the start of Olle 1 – ready to walk!
Ajuma (old woman) weeding her field beneath an oreum. Very typical Jeju scene.
Cows. On the trail.
A beautiful open prairie on the way up an oreum meant spectacular, if slightly hazy, views.
An old fisherman was stringing up his catch of squid to dry in the sun. Sunrise Peak, most photographed spot on Jeju, is in the background.
Close-up of the squid. He offered to sell us some. They eat it like very fishy jerky. No one was up for it that morning…
Patrick taking in the views.
Olle trails have a nice combination of rustic trails, climbs/views, and villages, giving a real taste of life on Jeju.
Our first day ended with a beach hike right next to Sunrise Peak. Lovely in the setting sun.
Campsite for the night! A nice field between road and beach.
Little covered areas perfect for a picnic or evening card game next to the beach.
We took in the sunset while swimming in the ocean. Lovely.
Our “thanksgiving” dinner was going out for pizza, then s’mores over a beach bonfire. Thank you ancestors for pizza!
Day 2 meant Olle #2. Walking along a boardwalk over some beautiful wetlands.
Small snake trying to eat a big frog. Right in the middle of our trail. Cool!
Look! Trees! Patrick staying excited late in day 2 of hiking.
Hazy sunrise peak over some dry fields and typical Jeju rock walls. Iconic.
Our trail ended near the supposed origin of human life on Jeju. Stories tell of 3 demi-gods who came down from heaven. At this spot, 3 princesses emerged from the stone cave and fell in love with the demi-gods.
Spot where the princesses emerged from the depths of Jeju rock.
The “wedding pond” where the 3 demi-gods and princesses were married and proceeded to populate Jeju.
We had a great time getting away from school, spending time with friends, camping, swimming, and doing lots of walking. We are now finished with 13 of the 26 Olle Trails. Half-way there! Many more stories of hiking and lovely scenes yet to come this year, I’m sure.
Hope to see your comments! Thinking of friends and family back in the states often. Lots of love from Korea!