Cheju Island, South Korea

photo credit:  kimchicrew.com

the koreans call it the island of the gods.
cheju island (also spelled jeju) is a local honeymoon destination favorite. asian couples in "couple" tees are a plenty on this island with steep entrance fees for any landmark or tourist location. despite the prices, the island is beautifully packed with spectacular waterfalls, beaches, sunrises/sunsets and lava rocks, making it a truly a romantic getaway.

chejudo, as it is said in korean, is a funny place.
the locals speak a korean dialect that has strange catch phrases and distinct ways to describe things.
the local cuisine is heavily seafood and the local diving community is dominated by women (the island is highly matriarchal).
the local drink is hallasan (the name of the tallest peak in cheju) soju, a liquor made from the special underground water of cheju.
the giant basalt grandfather statues all over the island, called dol harubangs, look like tall mushrooms. they are gods that protect the island and help the women of cheju with fertility. they are placed outside of gates to scare away the demons that are trying to get in.



the strangest thing of all is cheju's mysterious road. why is it mysterious? well, it looks like you are going up the hill, but as you are driving, you have to break. huh? that's right. you are racing uphill yet your foot is not on the gas. how is this possible? simple. it's an optical illusion. the countryside supposedly makes the road look like it's going uphill when in fact you are going downhill.

go check it out!

tiptoe around south korea...

xoxo
s