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#Freed from the rigid concept of vacation #Interest in and courage for new challenges #Felt a happiness beyond healing
©Korea gapyear
Some people might question how an itinerary like this can be considered travel or rest, but the happiness of riding a bicycle while gazing at Jeju Island’s beautiful sea for most of the day can only be felt by those who have actually experienced it. After spending more than 10 hours a day staring at a computer monitor under fluorescent lights, feeling the sunlight and sea breeze while riding is more than healing for any office worker.
-Jeju Blue Bike trip: Riding with the wind, following dreams |
After passing the week of Liberation Day when the heatwave was at its peak, we finally boarded a plane to Jeju. After drinking a flat cola they served on the plane, we had already arrived. We went into the airplane restroom to change into cycling jersey and bib shorts, and before long we received our bikes from a friendly person at Blue Bike Sharing; after a brief explanation we were dropped into Jeju’s blazing sun.
With no plan beyond "cycle around Jeju" and "try Jeju food," we began our journey in Jeju City by devouring a bowl of gogi-guksu (meat noodle soup). We got a little lost right from the start, but we heard an old man say that if you follow Route 1132 and get off when the coastal road appears, you’ll see the sea, so we decided to carry out that simple but most accurate plan.
©Korea gapyear
Before lunch, at Gosan near Chagwido, Orange Diary Guesthousewas where we had already transferred the accommodation fee, so we pedaled very hard. My friend, who wasn’t a strong cyclist, looked exhausted, but all we could think about was getting there before it got dark. Fortunately we arrived at the lodging just after 8 and enjoyed a blissful shower. Looking back, it’s a bit regrettable that our first dinner in Jeju was chicken and beer, but at the time the post-ride shower followed by chimaek (chicken and beer) tasted like pure honey.
On the second day, while eating the guesthouse’s toast and cereal, we thought about the distance we had to cover that day. We were worried by the scooter travelers we’d met the previous day who warned that the southern part of Jeju had many ups and downs, but the road from Gosan to Molsipo was actually much easier than the previous day.
©Korea gapyear
We arrived at Molsipo Port earlier than expected, and after eating a chocolate bar and a Hot6 from a convenience store, we agreed that to circle the island today we’d take Route 1132 rather than the coastal road from Molsipo to Seogwipo — a decision we soon realized was not the best.The coastal road is mostly flat, but Route 1132 that goes directly from Molsipo to Seogwipo repeated climbs and descents continuously.If you were driving a car you might not notice whether it was uphill or downhill, but perhaps because we hadn’t fully recovered from the 50 kilometers ridden on the first day, the continuous climbs wore us down even more.
On top of that, as if we had become rainmakers, heavy rain began to fall over the parched island, making the ride increasingly difficult. We passed by the Jeju Sculpture Park but, in a rush, only took one commemorative photo. With only the guesthouse breakfast and the chocolate bar eaten earlier, we alternated between climbs and descents and reached Seogwipo at around 4 p.m.
The route to the recommended restaurant in Seogwipo was uphill. The joy of finally eating after about eight hours lasted only a moment, because at the door of the first recommended place there was a sign saying "Closed due to the August heat"—a phrase people from Seoul would never understand. In the end we went to the second recommended place, Jorim Myeongga (a stew specialty restaurant), and devoured braised cutlassfish and abalone. Although it was a bit late, after eating we felt our physical and mental tension ease and our determination return, so we decided to head to Wahaha Guesthouse in Pyoseon. It was tough, but I think a sense of male camaraderie to complete the Jeju circuit formed among us.
©Korea gapyear
Pyoseon wasn’t exactly close, but because it was summer the sun stayed up for a long time and, feeling that the circuit was nearly complete, we rode with cheerful spirits; later a junior recalled how really hard it was at that time.Wahaha Guesthousewas the cheapest of the three accommodations we used during the Jeju trip. It wasn’t very clean, but it was serviceable and, in short, a great value-for-money place to stay.
On the third day, because the guesthouse didn’t provide breakfast and we wanted to finish the circuit today, we set out early and rode along the coastal road. The initial freshness lasted only a short while, and the morning’s heat left us feeling exhausted. Had it not been the final day of riding, we’d never have pushed ourselves like that. After eating octopus at a haenyeo (female diver) house near Seongsan Ilchulbong, a heavy rain began shortly afterward. Fortunately there was a shelter nearby where we could take cover and rest a bit, and whenever the rain eased we rode on, only to stop again when a downpour returned.
©Korea gapyear
Then we reached Gimnyeong Beach and entered the sea for the first time on Jeju. Since we were wearing quick-drying, tight cycling clothes, we went straight into the water, played for about 30 minutes, showered, and then headed back toward Jeju City. We stopped at a haenyeo village and ate hoe-guksu (raw fish noodles). After riding a bit more we finally entered Jeju City, arrived at the Yeha Guesthouse we had reserved, washed up, and went to Sanbang Restaurant (Jeju branch) where we ate suyuk (boiled pork slices) and milmyeon to celebrate completing the circuit.
Even while riding and even on the plane home I kept thinking, and now writing this review I really feel like all I did in Jeju was eat Jeju food and ride a bicycle. Some people might question how an itinerary like this can be travel or rest, but the happiness of riding a bicycle while gazing at Jeju’s beautiful sea for most of the day can only be felt by those who have actually experienced it. Every day 10hours or more fluorescent light light under computer monitor staring at spend time sunlight and sea breeze feeling trying to run thing all to office workers healing that more than would be I think.
accommodation about as a participant next volunteers for my own Advice
of Jeju in the case of many guesthouses there are. July–Augustmonth''s peak season only if you avoid most guesthouses1night20,000won below price to stay can and(multiple people together use dormitory basis)breakfast provided whether or not per guesthouse is different in advance you must confirm (formal). peak season if not making a reservation do not have to rooms are vacant cases many accommodation regarding too worry do not have to that it is okay I think.
for meals about as a participant next volunteers for my own advice
in advance delicious restaurants keep in mind going thing of course is good. also blog searching through Jeju Island good restaurants finding is tourists'' superficial information relying on cases because there are many good restaurants local from Jeju acquaintances inquiring is good.
participated gap year camp program through : what I liked points·touched felt points, learned things, realized things etc.
Jeju Island bicycle around-the-island route usually 210kilometers or more If I had to pick, at this level, per day70kilometers of riding as a goal,3nights4days proceeding is possible as a course.. Don''t be burdened please, beginners also sufficiently possible level so please try it..
©Korea gapyear
Gap Year program while participating met people or together who people if there are
at the guesthouse for the first time even when meeting each other''s travels about stories listen upcoming itinerary about advice also seek do. also by bicycle the coastal road while riding other riders cheer on cheers received.
gap year to the program to participate before participation after to compare when for myself change if there is
in a rut stuck vacation not new ways, places trying out vacation about interest much has developed.
also at travel destinations encountering strangers even to people first a conversation to start try
