Bye-bye! South Korea

During our seven days in South Korea, we had three different drivers due to the change of places and buses. But like Mum said to Jeson in the bus, "We don't mind that the driver isn't the same. But we don't want you to be changed."

Indeed, this tour guide who loved history had introduced all the spots we visited in a lively way. I was the only one in our group of tourists who took notes of the information he gave us orally in the bus.

His grave voice must have an amazing hypnotising power. Many of our elderly group members dozed off as soon as he opened his mouth. And they woke up automatically when he finished talking! Though neither Mum was very interested in listening to Jeson's explanation, she was quite responsive when he asked questions. Through this South Korean guy who revealed to us some of his family background and personal life, I caught a glimpse of the melancholic past and the more cheerful present of his country.

Before this trip, I thought South Korea was very similar to Japan. Now, I have realised that the two neighbouring countries are actually very distinct in terms of cuisine, service, public facilities, etc.

I wished to explore the territory longer and tell you more about my discoveries but I already had to say bye-bye to this land on the 27th May 2010.

Hopefully, I will have a second occasion to admire the charm of this country for my own episode of the autumn or winter sonata.

South Korea: Seagull Cruise

Our last outdoor activity in South Korea was the seagull cruise. Our bus simply drove into a large ship and parked there.

Then we came down from the vehicle and climbed up on deck. Since our first day in Jeju Tuesday, we had excellent weather again even when we were back to Seoul. Watching seagulls flying in the blue sky was a pleasant experience.

These white coastal birds with black markings on the wings were so used to the tourists' feeding that they did not hesitate to fly close to our ship

to get their snacks when they saw our stretching hands.

Sometimes I threw a prawn stick to a gull which it missed to seize with its bill. The stick did not float too long on the water before another gull with sharp eyes grabbed it.

In a few hours', we were going to fly higher than the seagulls. But we did not have to compete for food, for the stewardesses would not fail to feed each and everyone of us.

South Korea: Old People In Chinatown Area

When we were travelling in South Korea, Mum commented that she hardly saw old people walking in the streets. In Chinatown in Seoul,

as soon as I noticed local elderly,

I quickly took pictures

to show Mum that Koreans also like to gather together to recount their old stories

and take a nap after lunch like Malaysian folks do.

South Korea: Jeju Teddy Bear Museum

I always cherish toy animals with smooth and soft fur. Though I do not specially collect any, I preciously keep in my house those given to me from the age as a toddler to now as a working adult.

When I first saw a teddy bear many years ago, I immediately liked the toy stuffed with soft cotton. During this tour, I was very excited to visit the Teddy Bear Museum in Jeju.

In the galleries, we witnessed the 100-year history of teddy bears including famous scenes,

popular teddy bears of different eras, etc.

If Mona Lisa were alive and knew she had been turn into a teddy bear, she would probably show a grimace instead of a mysterious smile.

That day I purposely wore a T-shirt with a teddy bear design to declare how much I loved them. However, my business partner did not seem to appreciate my company at the fruit and vegetable stall.

My heart was comforted when a gentleman lovingly lent me his warm arm and broad shoulder in the outside garden.

My joy did not end there. My faithful friends celebrated my birthday seven months in advance to give me a surprise.

And my activity buddies also invited me to join them for fishing.

Mum found her body guard who was dutifully standing under the sun to protect her. Later when we walked past the same place, the bar-restaurant where the fellow was attached to was already close and he had gone missing.

When I was approaching the exit of the museum, two security guards who enjoyed my presence tried to persuade me to stay longer with them.

I would have loved to. But my toy bears were also waiting for me to hug them at home in Malaysia.

South Korea: Cheonjiyeon Waterfall And Oedolgae Rock

In Jeju, we went to two other natural sites.

Cheonjiyeon waterfall, despite its name which means "the heaven and the earth meet and create a pond" in Korean, was less impressive than Lison source that I had visited two years ago.

While others rushed to the destination, I always enjoyed the journey at a leisurely pace to admire the rocks,

the bridges,

and the flowing of water.

Oedolgae rock, the 20-metre stone pillar, was named for its isolated location on the sea.

Sometimes we feel abandoned and separated from the world. But from another point of view, that is when we are outstanding.

South Korea: Seongeup Folk Village

After we landed in Jeju, our tour guide Jeson briefed us about this peaceful island where rocks, wind and women are many whereas beggars, thieves and gates are few.

When we saw the traditional residential houses in Seongeup Folk Village, I could finally figure out how good is the safety in this southern region. Three sticks of wood literally constituted their gates--According to the number of sticks lifted onto the ground, a visitor will know who are living inside or whether the host is around.

Standing in the middle of the village were the several-hundred-year-old zelkova trees and nettle trees standing. These were also part of the natural monuments.

We had another special guide in this living folk village who gave us an interesting presentation on the unique culture of Jeju. She introduced herself as a Christian retired teacher who worked as a volunteer in this living folk village. When she asked if any of us was a Christian, I waved my hands. She was very glad and said, "Hallelujah!"

She led us to a pig barn built with stones. Under the tree was an attached open air men's toilet which supplied human waste to feed the well-known black-haired pigs. If it was raining, the man would be holding an umbrella while squatting under the tree. Leaves served as their toilet papers. I found it very practical and wished our Malaysian men were as environmental-friendly as these Jeju folks...

Later, when I happily savoured the black pork in the restaurant next to the folk village, I completely forgot about the pig barn and the human toilet. Hallelujah!

South Korea: Submarine Trip

When we signed up for the trip to South Korea, we were told that the package included a special and fantastic submarine trip. Having heard about the tension between South Korea and North Korea caused by their submarines, I simply imagined that it was going to be a military trip.

Actually it was just an eco tour.

From the harbour, we took a ferry to the submarine docking area.

Before we explored the under water, visitors were invited to have a free photograph session with the background landscape.

As Mum and I were before the rest of our group members, I quickly seized the opportunity to take my own pictures of the mountain

and the submarine.

Then we climbed a rickety ladder through a hatch into the bowels of the submarine

and settled ourselves on the narrow padded benches.

At a depth of 30 metres and a course of around 2.8km long below the surface of Jeju's splendid seas, we were supposed to see all kinds of colourful corals, sea cucumbers as well as fish. Unfortunately, the sea water was not very clear and the view was less wonderful than I had expected. Moreover my camera was unable to snap pictures of those living creatures, except for the diver who swam past every window and waved to us accompanied by a school of fish waiting for a snack from him.

On our return, we were given a souvenir card with our pictures taken earlier. Now I miss the view of the green rock formation more than the undersea garden.

South Korea: Seongsan Ilchulbong

In South Korea, I did not manage to witness the sunrise as the sun always woke up earlier than I in this spring season. Nevertheless, I was glad that our group members had got up earlier than other groups of tourists and first arrived at the parking of Sunrise Peak in Jeju on that final Wednesday morning of May.

Rose from under the sea in a volcanic eruption, the peak is one of the UNESCO world heritage sites. There is a huge crater at the top.

We hiked towards the peak by the northwest side.

At first, Mum was energetic to mount the stairs while admiring the verdant grassy hill.

As she grew tired, she took a rest at a stop. So I continued my journey and met two siblings from our group who were in front of me.

Very soon I overtook them and had wonderful views between rocks

and on the sea.

The panorama became more and more magnificent

as I climbed higher.

When I achieved my target, our tour leader Addy was already there taking pictures. He was amazed at my stamina. Being used to climbing stairs, conquering Seongsan Ilchulbong had not taken much of my physical strength.

The elder of the siblings was another one to join us. As our meeting time at the parking was approaching, I had to abandon them to rush down to look for Mum.

I could not help capturing one image after another

every few minutes.

Mum was already waiting for me in a local product and souvenir shop. Did she care if I had reached the top?

Sorry, she only bothered whether I was going back on time to pay for the chocolates.