Island of the Gods or Island of the Dogs?

The two most famous islands in the South of South Korea are Jeju and Jindo. Both locations are acclaimed for their natural beauty and are great places to spend some time relaxing.  The two islands (although some purists insist Jindo is not an island, but a peninsula, as it is now connected to the mainland by an impressive suspension bridge) both have unique sub-Korean atmospheres that receive regular commendations:


Jeju (known as the island of the Gods): Oranges - it is a common spectacle to see tourists leaving the island overwhelmed with crates of the fruit, they are a common gift  to give friends and family upon return from the notorious haven. Additionally, many confectioneries in Korea market their products as having 'Jeju Oranges' contained within their goods.  
Jindo: Dogs. The Korean Jindo hunting dog is famous throughout Korea for its loyalty and is a symbol of bravery and freedom. There are multiple sites where tourists flock to to see Jindo dog shows, where they will perform tasks and acrobatics for their master and spectators. (video at foot of page)


Ideally, you will be able to visit both islands whilst in Korea, but if you can't then here is some more information about the two area's to help you choose. . .


Jeju Island is a popular vacation spot, especially for newly weds, in Korea that can be conquered within a weeks vacation. The island, which has been voted the number one holiday location in Korea boasts: waterfalls, museums, sex exhibitions, lava caves, sleepy villages, a large buzzing city,  a mountain and... a bountiful supply of unique beaches - providing sunbathers with a choice of scenery whilst taking in the rays. Tropical and flowing. Bustling and lively. Peaceful and secluded. Take your pick. 


An added perk for Jeju beaches is that most of them have Hala mountain (a volcano) as the backdrop.


Jindo island: as stated before, some purists will argue that Jindo is not an island because of the relatively new suspension bridge that has been built. These purists also have another string to their argument... twice a year (around April to June) the sea between the mainland and the island divides, creating a small gangway which allows tourists to walk through the ocean, providing all that complete it with a Moses like status. The island doesn't have as much to offer as Jeju but it does have a number of picturesque beaches and a small number of museums. In short, if you are planning on ticking Jindo off your bucket list, try and do it during the parting of the sea.


How long?
Jeju in week
Jindo in a weekend


Jeju in a week. 
Getting there: There is an airport on Jeju, for which cheap flights can be found. However, it also has a ferry service which is terrific fun. Some of the smaller ferries are romantically small but, one (the Queen Mary) boasts a JimJilbang (sauna), Noraebang (karaoke room), restaurant, bar and sunning deck. The ferries to Jeju depart from three ports; Incheon (near Seoul), Mokpo (south west) and Busan (south east) So, kick off your vacation in style. Sit back. Sing a song. Grab a beer. Relax in the on-board sauna.


Click here for ferry times 


Getting around: Many people who travel to Jeju believe that because it is a large Island, Korea's largest island in fact, that a car or scooter will be required to get around. This just ain't so. The public transport on the island is world class and, for the fitter of you, the entire island can be cycled without too many hills (unless you tackle Halla mountain itself). If you're spending a week on the rock then you will have enough time to cycle the circumference and spend time enjoying the sites. There are multiple businesses that will rent bikes to foreigners, as long as you are willing to leave a passport or ARC card as a deposit. 


Sleeping
As with most of Korea you have five options:

• Jim Jil Bang - get naked. Relax. See this blog for a better description. 
• Pension -  Sleep communally. Ideal if you're part of a group
• Camp - Great fun, especially on the beach. Add a BBQ for a really great time.
• Hostel - convenient.
• Hotel - sawnky.

The Sites and Sights: 
All ferries arrive in the port of the creatively named city in Jeju, Jeju City. Here, you can organise your transportation. 


Best Beaches: 

• The black sand beach of Samyang (located immediately east of Jeju city)
• Jungmun Beach - This beach is a Korean celebrity hotspot. Meaning, the prices around this area can be a little high
• Oedolgae Rock - this less commonly known beach is a little gem, especially for snorkeling enthusiasts. 

A great blog that rates the beaches of jeju is Jejulife

Halla San (Halla Mountain). A picture is worth a thousand words ...

Manjanggul Lava-tube - is a 7 km cave that has lava tubes. The tube itself is up to 23 m high in areas and was created by lava streams. This is a great place to visit if it's a hot day, as it is rather cool in the caves. The lava-tubes can be reached by taking the coastal bus from Jeju, then walking the 2.5km from the bus station.

Seongsan Ilchubong - sunrsie peak. As the name suggests, you should hike this at sunrise for an life inspiring sensation. Great for you nature enthusiasts.... and thinkers 

Women Divers, 'The Mermaids of Jeju' - These dedicated ladies plunge on average 20 meters each dive to gather seaweed and seafood, without any tools, and stay under the surf for 2-3 minutes at a time. They are great to sit and watch from the beach and regularly dive from most beaches on the island. These remarkable women, who maintain their ancestors time honoured traditions, have a museum dedicated to them and usually welcome a chat (if you can string a few Korean words together).

LoveLand - for a truely 'Corean Couple' experience (see related blog)

One of the Waterfalls - (Cheonjiyeon Waterfall is Jeju's most famous, although Jusangjeolli is also well known) 

Museums: 
Green Tea Museum - quaint 
health and Sex Museum - A must for you light hearted folk. 
Jeju Teddy Bear Museum - good fun
Haenyeo Museum - as mentioned above, a museum dedicated to the lives of the Jeju Mermaids
Jeju Independence Museum - eye opening
Jeju Education Museum - informative
Jeju April 3rd Peace Park - inspirational
Museum of African Art - questioning
Mini World or Miniature Theme Park - wacky
Yeomiji Botanical Gardens - natural

Jindo

Getting around: Public transport, walking or bike. Car not needed. 

Sleeping

The usual suspects:

• Jim Jil Bang
• Pension 
• Camp 
• Hostel
• Hotel 

The Sites and Sights: 
Best beaches:
Gagae Beach - very popular, due to the great facilities available in the area (toilets, showers, parking, restauants, bars ...)

Not all Jindo dogs are full of energy...

Jindo Dog Show - Fairly ubiquitous on the island, they are advertised for in all of the popular tourist areas. 

Sea parting Festival - Once a year in the Jeollanam-do Province of Jindo, the seas are parted by a man with a beard and stick. His name is Moses. Or, a small strip of land is exposed annually where the waters are usually shallow during a natural tidal cycle (caused by the moons gravitational pull). Either way, it is a spectacular scene. The sea parting festival is usually held for three days in mid March. See this site for more information. If there during the festival, there is plenty to do, see, eat, drink and enjoy. 
Coastal Walks - no specific route. Pick up a map of the local area from one of the tourist information points and enjoy the scenery. 




One final note: for your adventurous eaters... San Nakji (live octopus) is available in both the Jeju and Jindo areas (as with most of Korea). With the added novelty that the creature was most probably caught a few hours prior to your consumption. See Dog Ain't That Crazy for more information. 

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