What happens when, in a company of three, two possess international driver’s licences — one of whom is an experienced driver, while the other may not be as experienced, but can act as a navigator – while the other one cannot drive, and cannot navigate worth a damn?
Well, this is what happens: the third one – the one who can’t drive and can’t navigate – will stay in the backseat, munching on Meiji dark chocos AND them delish Jeju Hallabongs, while tinkering with a Big Bang-filled tab, and catching some ZZZZ’s in between rides. And not feel at all guilty that the other two in front are doing all the work. Hey, I’ve a legitimate excuse!
And look, these 5 totally agree with me!
Yep, I admit the third person is me. I cannot drive, and not for lack of trying, because my Dad is one of the most skilled drivers I know, and I grew up surrounded by male uncles and cousins who literally grew up around a steering wheel. I just never saw it as something I need to learn. Nor want. (It just seemed like too much work, you know? Oh, not the actual driving – I bet it is fun – but the vehicle maintenance and responsibility that comes with it. I’m lazy like that.) As for navigating, I think I have a pretty good sense of direction – better than most. But that is when I’m relying on my good old God-given senses, and not directed by some machine with a mechanical voice coming out of it.
So there.
In my few travels to a few Asian countries, I have to admit that I greatly relied on their intelligent public transport systems, especially their trains. It makes moving from one place to another so easy and actually fun. I am from a part of the Philippines that does not have a subway or a train, so the experience is definitely a novelty. If not for the subway stations, I would have gotten lost repeatedly in those cities I have visited.
Unfortunately, there is no such thing in Jeju. No subway stations, so the only way to get around is if you have a car of your own, or you take the buses. Cabs, I suppose, will cost a mint.
Good thing my friend Peach thought of renting a car and doing the driving. This meant we had an easier time getting around.
Oh, we did meet a few snags, like going past our destination and doubling back, or our GPS guide being confusing, all to hilarious results. Getting lost and going ’round in circles make for a lot of fun and funny stories to tell, I tell ya.
I must say, though, Jeju is not a bad place for a road trip. Not bad at all.
Funny. Since Seoul, we kept seeing this sign, with the red i and Korean characters, but I never really thought much of it. When we arrived in Jeju, I finally took notice, and presumed that it must mean Cheonjiyeon, with an “i”, as opposed to Cheonjeyeon, with an “e”. So imagine me being flummoxed when we arrived at Cheonjeyeon and STILL saw an “i”. WHA—? It turns out it’s what is written in Tourist Information Centers. Hah!
The moral of the story: Do not presume without facts to back you up. Oh, and if you’re a tourist, make an effort to learn about helpful tourist info like these.
One thing that I also noticed was how Koreans love footwear. And how they manage to transform what would’ve been drab to fab. Even kids have rad footwear, I get so envious.
By the way, you’ve seen this in a previous post already, but that is what the roof of the Teddy Bear Museum looks like from the parking lot.
By the way, right across the street from the Teddy Bear Museum is another museum (which we did not go to). It’s the Jeju Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum.
Driving through the Jeju countryside will also give you a glimpse of rapeseed fields. This field of yellows was right in front of the Yakcheonsa Temple. We just had to stop and savor the place for a few minutes.
We made it a point to check out at least one beach in Jeju Island while we were there. Remember that it was still the last days of winter and spring is just rolling in. So it was cold. And the beaches are practically deserted. That didn’t stop us from heading to Jungmun Beach, though. That’s me munching on corn on a cob. Haha! As if the chocos and the mandarins are not yet enough!
I honestly wish I can remember what this place was. We were looking for another place, but we can’t seem to find it, so we kept walking until we came to this area where boats are docked, a fishing village is nearby, and there was this statue.
This was on one of our early morning drives. Loveland is not due to open for another thirty minutes so we drove around a bit, and stopped by a convenience store to buy something to eat. And so we parked beside the store, which happens to have this:
The Secret Theme Park was still not open at the time also. And it was not part of our itinerary. We’re disciplined like that.
This is the Mysterious Road, which is very near the Jeju Loveland. Why Mysterious Road? According to the VisitKorea site,
The Jeju Mysterious Road, also known as Dokkaebi Road, lies on a hill at the foot of a mountain, and connects two major highways on Jejudo Island. It has earned its name, as objects and liquid appear to roll and flow up the hill instead of down, when, in fact, such image of gravity defiance is an optical illusion rendered by the seemingly high surroundings.
It’s hard to explain. I suppose this is another one of those “you have to be there to get it” things.
Oh, by the way, I was not entirely useless the whole trip. I, too, did some researching. Ya noe, look for addresses and phone numbers to input in the car’s satnav. LOL! *pats self*
It’s so weird to still be writing about this trip to this wonderful island more than a year after it actually took place. It felt like just a couple of weeks ago. A~hh, I wanna go back~!!!
Soon.
