Day 14 (8.26)- Island Time

We landed in Jeju Island on 8/26, which is essentially Hawaii in Korea. Just like the State’s favorite domestic island getaway, Jeju is full of sand, sun, and bugs the size of your head. No joke… We’ve encounter cockroaches the the size of thumbs, bees the size of ping pong balls, and a moth that looked like it could literally eat your face… I was too afraid to get close enough to get a good photo, so here’s the photo wikipedia provides when you look up “korean moth” and it directs you to the “Japanese Giant Moth” because of course it has giant in the name

Sleep tight tonight friends….

As for the island though, it’s beautiful. We visited so many amazing locations that show why this island is where locals and foreigners alike come to relax during the summer. It was also nice to enjoy some weather more similar to home. Seoul is extremely humid and hot and you constantly feel as though you just got out of a swimming pool, in a constant state of wet, whereas Jeju has this wonderful ocean breeze that cools the air and makes you feel like you are in paradise.

I’ll post some more photos of our trips to Hyeopjae Beach as soon as I get them uploaded, but for now, let me introduce you to my new friend I met in Jeju… the hareubang

He’s a bit serious, but an icon in Jeju. Hareubang is the Jeju dialect’s word for grandfather, and they’re meant to watch over the island. They look really similar to Easter Island heads, and a lot of island cultures have developed their own versions…Why? Nobody really knows, which adds to their intrigue and mystery.

To talk a little bit about cultural differences as well, I’ve come to realize that some of my favorite Korean meals are quite similar to American treats, but with their own unique style. I tried a Korean corn dog at Hyeopjae beach which was a religious moment in my life…I’ve never had a better corn dog in my life, which isn’t really saying much, but believe me, if corn dogs were like this in the States, they would be a culinary art form.

See how the sun shines its rays on this masterpiece to show it’s the chosen one…

This corn dog was fried, then fried again when I ordered it, the covered with sugar, yes sugar, and sprinkled with a katsu-style sauce. It mixed sweet, savory, and sour in one effortless meal. I’ve never enjoyed such a simple food this much before.