I may have left you hanging on the first part of this blog. As promised tho, this is where I tell the most embarrassing thing that happened to me as a tourist!
So I was ready to end a perfectly satisfying first day in Jeju. All I have to do is get to my guesthouse and rest up for the next day. Because I pretty much survived the day through spontaneously searching my way around, I trusted that I will successfully find my way home too. Sadly, my map failed me..
For some odd reason, I just can’t find the bus stop where I’m supposed to take the bus home. I slightly panicked so I ask the first person I could find for directions.
Just who did the universe sent me? Well, a cute grandma who was eating tangerines at her friend’s road side fruit store! I approached, said hello and she handed me tangerines saying they’re good. What did I say? She cute or what!? It was the first time a local received me so warmly!
Anyway, I knew some Korean. I knew how to ask my question, so without second thoughts I asked where I could find the bus stop. She didn’t speak any English and she probably sensed my entry-level Korean speaking skills. So instead of telling me the way, she got up and walked me to the bus stop! Mind you, it was quite a walk!
I was already embarrassed enough to have a grandma walk me to get to my bus stop. You know what else happened on top of that? We found out that it was the wrong stop! All I could do is apologize for wasting her time like that.
This is where you know how good people are. That grandma didn’t give up on me. She said she knew where to go. I just followed her and next thing I know, she was taking me to the nearest police station!! It was so embarrassing!
Also, it was really nice of her to think of my needs and/or safety to that extent. But yeah, I was that tourist who you’ll find at a police station, with a grandma, asking for directions. I. Can’t. Even!
It made sense to ask authorities for help but I felt like I made a total mess of myself more than I should.. In a foreign land.. On my first day. You know what I mean? It was my most embarrassing experience to date!
The officers were kind enough to help me out though. I thanked them dearly. I got the bus I needed and I went my way.
I was unsure about the stop they told me to take. I got off two stops before that and my luck just snapped back! I got the right stop, just a short walk to my guest house. Everything magically showed through the map again.
I booked Santorini Guesthouse via Airbnb, it was my first ‘home.’ I booked a dorm type room because that’s the cheaper option if you’re travelling alone and because I have my luck back, they told me I have the room to myself for the entire night. I loved the place.
I highly recommend this place if you’re planning to catch the sunrise at Seongsan Ilchulbong because it’s just across the street to the way up there.
I struggle getting up in the morning so naturally, I missed the actual sunrise. That didn’t stop me from going up tho.
It was so refreshing! The peak was beautiful. I love how there’s also a viewing deck so people could all see the sunrise in harmony.
Above or below was interesting enough. There’s a ‘mermaid’ show here too but the timing is off. I needed to go back, get my stuff and move to my next destination.
I wanted to go to Udo Island next. I was told that another one of the guests was going there too. I practically tagged along because I didn’t want to lose my way again.
I forgot his name tho. Anyway, we just walked to the pier. We bought roundtrip boat tickets and after docking on the island, we separated our ways. He decided to hop on one of those bus tours while I decided to rent a bicycle and go around myself.
The island was something else! It took me 3-4hours to go around and I learned a lot of humble things that it had to offer. I love it!
I was also very proud of myself for having conquered all of that by myself. What an achievement!
I was completely tired after all of that I was ready go something light and fun. It was time to relax, it was time for me to go to the city and meet my friends!
Aren’t you curious about how I spent my night this time? Well you just have to read on the last part of this blog to find out!~
Your Ryeness 