Rajeev's World

Saturday, May 28, 2016

Hallasan - The Misty Mountain Of The Gods!

Our first destination on Jejudo was Hallasan, the highest mountain in Korea. Hallasan is right in the middle of Jeju - it is a volcanic mountain nearly 2000 metres tall and it is the lava from this mountain that actually resulted in the formation of this island. The peak has a crater lake called Baengnokdam, which translates to “White Deer Lake”.
Although the mountain can be seen from all points on the island, the peak is often hidden by clouds. Locals say the mountain acts just like a woman by hiding her face all the time.
And legend has it that Hallasan is the mountain of the gods... is Giorgio Tsoukalos listening?

Driving up towards Hallasan...

It is quite a misty day today and heavy rainfall has been predicted for the evening...

A lush green forest surrounds the mountain...

There are quite a few hiking trails for easy hikes around Hallasan, but there were closed due to the Met's predictions of inclement weather...

Not being able to go up the Hallasan was a bit disappointing. But there was little we go do about it. And we were fascinated by the legends of otherworldly beings who descended from the heavens (aliens?) to play with white deer that gave the crater its name.

Awww... a volcanic rock that looks like an "alien" face! That's a bit creepy! Pretty sure Ancient Aliens would cover Hallasan soon...

The lonely crow...

The lotus pond...

That looks like a shivling...

It's so peaceful and quiet...

This is the first time I saw pink lotuses...

How Jeju was formed...

An electric vehicle charging point...

And with the drizzle starting, we've got to head back...

Jejudo - The Hawaii of Korea

And here we are at Jejudo, the Hawaii of Korea. Located nearly 100 kilometres off the south-western tip of Korea, Jeju island is a unique place.

Jeju is a volcanic island formed by the eruption of an under-sea volcano 1.2 million years ago. The island has a humid subtropical climate, warmer than that of the rest of Korea. The good thing - winters aren't that harsh here. That's why most Koreans call Jeju their Hawaii!

Cute Korean kids outside the airport, waiting with their parents...

Given its relative isolation from mainland Korea, the islanders evolved a different culture over the centuries. The society in Jeju is matriarchal and speaks a different dialect of Korean.

Jeju is also unique as it is a test ground for environment-friendly technologies. There is a proliferation of renewable energy generation, electric and CNG cars and electric charging stations all over the island. But the island lacks a viable public transport system forcing visitors like us to rent cars...

As we drove towards our hotel, we came across another enduring symbol of Jeju - dol hareubangs. The dol hareubangs are large rock statues found on the island and are considered to be guardian deities and are regarded as symbols of fertility. Dol hareubangs are carved from porous basalt and have distinctive features - bulging eyes without pupils and a long, broad nose. These statues were traditionally placed outside gates for protection against demons...

And I suspect Giorgio Tsoukalos of Ancient Aliens hasn't yet visited Jeju else he would have claimed that these are representations of aliens wearing a spacesuit who visited Jeju some eons back!

Politically Jeju is a self-governing province unlike other provinces and has a higher degree of autonomy. And the good thing for tourists is that Jeju is visa-free for most nationals except for those from a handful of countries - the usual suspects are on that list. So, I am told, when a foreigner (or an alien, as Korea officially terms us) travels from Jeju to the mainland, she has to show her Korean visa! We'll see that when we fly to Gimpo on Monday! Till then, we are here to enjoy Jeju!

Plane Spotting At CJU

And we landed at Jeju International Airport, flying in from Seoul's Gimpo Airport into a depressingly wet and gloomy looking environment. Was this trip really going to work out despite the weather, was the only thought on our minds...

China's Spring Airlines Airlines Airbus A320 holds short as we are on our short finals...

It is indeed gloomy day here...

"Retard, retard!"

Jun Air Boeing 777...

A bevy of Boeing 737s from Korean Air...

Jeju Air Boeing 737 and Asiana Airbus A320...

Jin Air Boeing 737...

The ramp at Jeju!

Up In The Air .... Part 34

Take off from Gimpo Airport was smooth and we set course for Jeju island. Given that Gimpo is close to the North Korean airspace, flights make a sharp U-turn once airborne to avoid straying into enemy territory.