Korean Island-Hopping

We all need to get some fresh air once in a while, and there really are those times when we feel like we can source it from anywhere but the city. The urge to escape from the hussles of city life therefore arises. While I still think that the Philippines owns the best island spots in the world, I recently found out that South Korea has pretty decent islands to go on trips, too. Island tripping is just perfect, in time for my fave spring season! I mean hello, I need a break from the long overdue winter freeze!

I spent the whole weekend at Seonyudo, an island in South Korea which is about an hour and a half of ferry ride from the mainland Gun-san in the South Jeolla province. South Jeolla, on the other hand, is a province three hours away from Seoul by bus. With mountains and cliffs and a beach to explore, Seonyudo can really give anyone the true island-hopping experience. Wow, I sounded so much like a local travel agent there. Wahaha!

Since I have recently become such a bike enthusiast, I bought on the island’s main selling activity for its tourism-- cycling. Mountain bikes for rent abound in the island’s docking area. There are also bikes with baby carriages at the back or baskets in front— anyone’s choice really. These bikes that have extras with them are usually the older and rustier ones— not exactly a good choice if you are up for a whole afternoon of cycling because you’ll never know when the pedal chains will just snap out. I came to know though, when I myself had to trot my humungous “basket bike” and have it changed with the more sporty mountain bike, after the pedals broke some two out of the total five hours of circling the islands.

BIKING

The whole biking experience was actually a tour of three small islands- Seonyudo, Munyudo, and Jangja, all connected by bridges. So it sure took my biking practice to special new heights as I went my way through each of the bridges. The priceless tag that came along with the rides was the cool wind that brushed onto me as I sped along with my two wheels. Lovely feeling, really.

Life is expectedly simpler and with less clutter around in any of the islands. The houses, buildings and people don't crowd as much as the bikes that stand side by side each other . The pension house where I spent the night with the other island trippers even stand lonely on its ground. Yet on-going constructions are apparent in the island. I just could not be so sure what those are for, though.

School

Pension House

Home Sweet Home

The photo below shows a big brown rock, which is actually the Jangja Island. It also shows the bridge that I had to course through to reach the said place. The road to this island was a bit more challenging because right off the bridge was a downward, curving slope with no fences on the sides. And my, the road's a bit narrow and on one side was the river. But that what make trips a real adventure, don't you think?

I then caught on life in this part of the island through the pictures that follow.

WATCHING THE SUNSET

Sunsets have always been so beautiful to witness for me, and it is very consoling at that. Now there is this particular spot in the main docking island of Seonyudo that gives the best view of the sun setting in front of you. Cute bench it is!

What then made me totally mesmerized as I sat by the bench was this:

HIKING

It was actually a two-day trip spent in the islands, so it allowed me to go on a morning hike the next day. Mid-through the hike, the spot where I already was gave such breathtaking views of Seonyudo Island's beach. Not exactly sandy-white and crystal blue clear, but the sight was in itself pretty from above.

The first half of the trek was pretty easy, I must say, until I had to see this in front of me and stop. I was just too weak on my knees to continue.

I just took more pictures from where I sat and practically embraced the calmness that enveloped me. Ooooh lovely, lovely, lovely. The whole experience was so great, I wish I could do this more often!!!

Sadly, there's always what they call "reality checks". So we all go back to the city, back to the harsher life. Back to where we earn all the stress that was just thrown off to places like these. Boo.