A big loop along the seaside directed us to a variety of amenities and tourism outlets in U-do. Restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, bike trails, stone statues and confectionery stores are everywhere to be found on this tiny island. The roadways were occupied with scooter riders and cyclists, meandering with pleasure as they scrambled off into the air, leaving their recollections behind.
Fast descents, zigzagging turns, mountain passes and gentle winds. The fun kept going until we caught three ladies in their diving suits, then got our paces to slow down. We went up to them to learn their stories behind numerous baskets of seaweeds. These female divers were in their late 50s to 60s, popularly known as Haenyeo. Tanned skin tones, salty hairs and vigorous bodies. They went diving under the sea to gather various shellfish and seaweeds for a living without any help of oxygen equipment.
Upon listening to their tales, we could not utter a word but astounded. Haenyeo culture has contributed to the women’s status in the community and promoted the protection of marine environment. Not only are they in charge of household economy by diving into the ocean, their strength are the symbol of Jeju women. With our respects, nothing much was spoken, but their diligence left us open-mouthed.
Yea! We have not mentioned that we could even see the Sunrise Peak from this 5.9sqkm island, as it is also a great place to watch sunrise. Hopping back to Jeju Island and dropping our bikes into the van, we motioned to an ascending trail, walked up to the Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, also called Sunrise Peak. It was a dormant volcano located on the eastern edge of Jeju. The sunny but breezy weather made climbing the steep 182-meter staircases less challenging. The hike led us to gorgeous sea and buildings from afar. Once we reached the top, the striking sunrise was beyond the horizon. We were surrounded by velvety pastures speckling with the sun’s rays.
It was a 16-kilometer yet inspiring ride that made us speechless in silent wonderment. How we wish we could freeze the time and make this moment last forever!
FROM ONE ADVENTURE TO THE NEXT
Cycling alongside U-do Island was an eye-opener. After an unforgettable bike tour through the picturesque seaside and winding roads of U-do Island, there were more excitement ahead that Yongduam Rock and Aewol-eup offered us on the following day.
It was designed to take us beyond a typical day. To push our limits. To accomplish our goals. It was made for us to go the extra mile. Situated to the north of Jeju, the first attraction for us was Yongduam, a basalt rock formation that looks like a Dragon Head. It was believed to have once been a dragon that lived in the Dragon King’s palace beneath the sea and, in its desire to reach heaven was turned into stone.
The submerged body of its oddly shaped structure is the result of the solidification of flowing lava during a volcanic eruption, and 30-meter long with its head rising to about 10 meters above the sea.
Standing tall as a watchful yet compassionate presence, we were bewildered upon spotting these expressive stone statues on the island. Dol Hareubang serves as timeless guardian for the people. It is known locally as the Old Grandfather. With it round and bulging eyes, a firmly closed mouth and a soldier’s hat on its heads, the shamanistic statue stands in a stooped posture with shoulders raised high and hands gathered at its stomachs. We urge you not to be puzzled when bump into one of them, as the Useokmok, Museokmok, or Byeoksumeori (as was called in the past) can be seen everywhere in Jeju and this main symbol of Jeju Island is believed to be offering protection and warding off demons.
