Once upon a time, a girl named Lindsay suggested to her friend Cynthia that they should go on a trip. A popular family holiday was at bay and since neither of the girls had family in that country, they decided it would be an opportune time to travel. So after little planning or discussion, the girls set out to a beautiful island just off the coast of the main land, Jeju-do also known as Jeju-island.
In order to get to the island, Cynthia had to travel a short distance by bus to a nearby port city called Mokpo, whereas poor Lindsay had to catch a total of four buses! Upon arrival, the girls would later get on a ferry for a 4.5 hour sail to Jeju. Although the girls had not planned much in regards to this vacation, it was not the first time they traveled. However, they failed to anticipate the rush created by the holiday!
In all, according to their limited plan, Cynthia was able to reach Mokpo on Friday night and find a motel near the ferry terminal. However, Lindsay missed the last bus out of Gwangju and was forced to sleep in a shady motel near the bus terminal! The girls were finally reunited on Saturday morning in order to catch the ferry to Paradise.
The girls had a grand time exploring the island on board their rented white Hyundai Sonata. They even met a new friend! His name was Billy Bob, the navigator. Billy Bob was not able to understand the girls' wishes and neither did the girls understand Billy Bob. That did not stop him from warning them about speed traps, popular attractions ahead and even suggesting they "eat ice cream" at a "nearby" parlor!
The girls, trusting their new friend decided to set out on this new adventure proposed by Billy Bob. They followed his instructions, made every turn, passed every intersection only to arrive 15 minutes later to the Herb Garden! The girls were highly confused--they were led to believe they were about to consume ice cream. Instead, Billy Bob lead them to an herb garden costing a fortune on admission. After a short talk with Billy Bob, Cynthia and Lindsay set out again, this time not paying any attention to him.
In all, the girls had a wonderful trip even though it rained for most of the time.
They drove around the Coastal Road...
...visited "Jeju Love Land" (Note: Only in Korea will you find such an explicit museum and it's not the only one of its kind either!)...
...took a "drive" up-hill, engine off, car in neutral UP Dokkaebidoro Road -- really mysterious, the girls were speechless...
...Cynthia froze in the Manjanggul Cave, the longest lava tube in the world...
Stalactite hanging from the cave's roof
...walked around the San-Gumburi Crater, one of three major craters in Jeju (btw, Jeju is a volcanic island)...
...admired Jeongbang Falls, the only falls in Asia to drop directly into the sea...
...visited the Teddy Bear Museum on a rainy day...
Breaking the Berlin Wall that separated the East from the West
...on their way to Hallim Park, they stopped at a beautiful beach for fresh air...
...and finally, took a super wet walk through Hallim Park...
The girls had a wonderful time in Jeju and left it with a knot in their stomach. Leaving the island meant going back to work really soon! However, no matter how much the girls would have enjoyed a good holiday doing whatever they pleased, they knew full well that the funds needed in order to make those spontaneous trips possible had to be earned somehow. So after what seemed to be a 5 hour nap, Cynthia went back to work Tuesday morning while Lindsay continued her long journey to her Korean hometown, Jeomchon.
Please fill free to enjoy more pictures located in the Picture Gallery, courtesy of Cynthia E. Cassagnol!
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