Today was the day to tour the East Side of the Island and the day started out very windy
(10 mph winds with 20 mph gusts) and snowy. The good thing about the wind was the fact that the snow was coming down sideways and not really sticking to anything or anywhere. The bad thing about the wind was that it just made the cold
(about 32 degrees) feel a lot colder
(about 20 degrees).
Fortunately I am of the species with opposing thumbs, and I used the skill afforded me to put on a warm coat - then we were off!
Our first stop was the far end of Jeju called Seongsan Ilchubong, or Sunrise Peak. While we were not there in time for any sunrise views, the Peak and the crater at the top were still a sight to see. Here is a picture of the little hill we were about to climb.
Since underground sea water mixed with the lava during the creation of Seongsan - a hydrothermal erruption - it formed a gorgeous crater on the backside. Here I am with the crater after lugging myself up that hill. Sidebar: I am so literate on the the geological science of the area because a few of the info maps were actually in English and if I ever saw English, I read every word.
After our little walk, we went out to eat lunch with another of JaeShin's friends. I am spending A LOT of time with folks I do not even know and probably doing everything an international traveler is NOT supposed to do.
Even so, everyone has been so hospitable and JaeShin is going out of his way to make sure I am comfortable and content. His aunt calls both of us several times a day, and I hope she is not threatening him too severely.
[But] the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself.... (even when thine aunt doth not threaten thee.) 
There was a gorgeous drive on the eastern coast, and even though it was so cold, there were still a few flowers blooming. JaeShin kept telling me how much prettier everything was in the Spring and Summer, but it was not looking too shabby in the dead of winter. Since Jeju is the site for a the filming of a couple of Korean TV dramas, we made a quick stop where "All In House" is filmed.
Of course I knew nothing about it, but here is a very popular and well known structure from the show. I guess you can call this a Korean "Southfork." In fact, if you enlarge the picture and look closely, you can see a statue of a camera man coming out of the top of my head!
Our next stop was the Jeju Folk Village, but on the way I had the opportunity to explore more rocks.
There are plenty of rocks to see, and this rock wall was along the coast between the road and the sea. For whatever reason, people come through and stack the rocks up in these litttle peaks and the wind does not blow them over. In fact, the rock walls that are so abundant on Jeju to not use any mortar. The rocks are just carefully stacked and the cracks and crevices allow the wind to pass through. It is really an amazing sight.
To finish off an absolutely great day, I had an unexpected treat. At the folk village, there were your typical old houses in the tradition rock and and straw style, but I found
pigs and funeral stuff! How perfect is that!!! As you can see, this one and I were bonding, much to the chagrin of the lady that was wanting to feed him. Oink! Oink!
One of the rooms had a disply showing how the traditional meal is laid out for the funeral rites, so I HAD to get a picture of that. This last picture shows rocks that are used to mark a grave.
There was no English sign designating this as such, and JaeShin trying to describe what the rocks were used for was quite comical. You had to have been there to really appreciate the all the wild gesticulations that go into explaining a grave marker. All I could think about was how Papa Selwyn would have had a stroke if I had ever designed a monument like this for his Harnett Memorial Park. He gave me the freedom to design different things, but nothing here in Korea is "in keeping" with anything in that cemetery!
While we were waiting for the rice cake cutting competition to begin, we had a little time to wander around. The Migook Sarams (Americans) walking around in hanboks were a bit of a spectacle, but I was having too much fun to care. I had seen men pounding rice before, and today I tried my hand at it. I do not believe it is traditionally the woman's role, but I rolled up my hanbok sleeves and took a whack at it. The soldiers there assured me I made a good showing with the mallet, so hopefully, I came away without being a national embarrassment.
I believe I was the first one finished, but it took me about the first third of the rice cake rope to get the hang of it. Here is my picture of triumph!
I will lose those two years when I cross the International Date Line. ;) The gentleman you see eating his way to old age with me is the Mayor of Seoul. I am not exactly who was there for who's benefit, but it did not matter - I just enjoyed every minute of it.
Betty Lynn and the Buddhists
Breakfast begins sometime between 6 and 6:30, so mornings at the center come early. 
After our morning assistances we readied ourselves for a day of sightseeing on the south side of the island in and around the city of Seogwipo. Of course, Seogwipo was expanded last year, so when I say "city" it is actually the entire southern half of Jeju Island.
Seeing the island of Jeju and some of the smaller islands from the sea provided an entirely different perspective, especially of Hally-san. From the sea, Hally-san looked like a mountain in the clouds and it was beautiful.
After the cruise, we headed to the Daepo Coast where volcanic activity and other such geological conditions created these giant, black, hexagonal columns that rise from the sea. We made stops at several other scenic spots, but the best was the Hamel Monument at the base of Mt. Sanbangsan. Because the tide was low, we were able to take a long circuit around the shore and see some great sights. Unfortunately, it was the last stop of the day and too dark for photographs. I have a sneaking suspicion I will be back, so I will get pictures then! In the meantime, I will leave you with a great Jeju sunset.
Today was our first full day at the the center. While I was not sure what to expect - or even how much help I could be - I soon discovered the center is an amazing place and the staff is incredible.
One stop was the O'Sulloc Tea Museum and here I am standing in one of the green tea fields. Since green tea is not a favorite, I passed on the green tea, green tea cookies, green tea potpourri, green tea candy, green tea ice cream.......
With both sides of the island covered, today was the day to visit the center. Right in the middle of Jeju is Hallysan, the highest point in Korea, and it is beautiful. Here is a picture of the mountain from afar. A mountain in the clouds was quite a sight from the sea.
Poor JaeShin, he was getting all sorts of calls that morning. LOL When he picked me up, we headed to the airport to gather Miri. After a quick stop at the Changan Rehabilitation Home to drop off our suitcases and eat lunch, we took off for Hallysan.
With so much snow, a small snowman army was beginning to appear. Snowmen are sooooo overrated, especially when there are piggies that can be created. My love of swine had nothing to do with the decision to build a piggy. 2007 is the year of the pig and Jeju pork is a famous agricultural product. What a coincidence that I happen to be fond of hoggy things.
While we are on the subject of agricultural products, we cannot fail to mention these glorious little oranges that are only grown on Jeju. They are quite delicious as is, but they are also very nice in orange or citron tea. The tea is made from raw minced oranges and although it is a little bitter at first, I was quickly addicted and drank LOTS of it during my stay on Jeju.
Fortunately I am of the species with opposing thumbs, and I used the skill afforded me to put on a warm coat - then we were off!
Since underground sea water mixed with the lava during the creation of Seongsan - a hydrothermal erruption - it formed a gorgeous crater on the backside. Here I am with the crater after lugging myself up that hill. Sidebar: I am so literate on the the geological science of the area because a few of the info maps were actually in English and if I ever saw English, I read every word.
After our little walk, we went out to eat lunch with another of JaeShin's friends. I am spending A LOT of time with folks I do not even know and probably doing everything an international traveler is NOT supposed to do. Even so, everyone has been so hospitable and JaeShin is going out of his way to make sure I am comfortable and content. His aunt calls both of us several times a day, and I hope she is not threatening him too severely. [But] the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself.... (even when thine aunt doth not threaten thee.) 
Of course I knew nothing about it, but here is a very popular and well known structure from the show. I guess you can call this a Korean "Southfork." In fact, if you enlarge the picture and look closely, you can see a statue of a camera man coming out of the top of my head!
There are plenty of rocks to see, and this rock wall was along the coast between the road and the sea. For whatever reason, people come through and stack the rocks up in these litttle peaks and the wind does not blow them over. In fact, the rock walls that are so abundant on Jeju to not use any mortar. The rocks are just carefully stacked and the cracks and crevices allow the wind to pass through. It is really an amazing sight.
pigs and funeral stuff! How perfect is that!!! As you can see, this one and I were bonding, much to the chagrin of the lady that was wanting to feed him. Oink! Oink!
There was no English sign designating this as such, and JaeShin trying to describe what the rocks were used for was quite comical. You had to have been there to really appreciate the all the wild gesticulations that go into explaining a grave marker. All I could think about was how Papa Selwyn would have had a stroke if I had ever designed a monument like this for his Harnett Memorial Park. He gave me the freedom to design different things, but nothing here in Korea is "in keeping" with anything in that cemetery!
Other rocks have been carved into these stone grandfathers which can also be found in abundance on Jeju. As you can see I made an effort to bond with the little native grandfathers. After this picture, Jae Shin lightened up a little bit and with the help of my dictionary and his phrase book, we were able to have some real (and real funny) conversation.
It is a dragon that was turned to rock by something bigger and badder. (The moral of that story is to not upset the ones bigger and badder than yourself.) You can read all about it at this site - www.parandeul.co.kr/yongduam.htm. As you can see, angle and lighting help alot with visualizing the dragon and we had neither.
