Your Ryeness

Travel Throwback: A weekend in Jeju Island (Part 1)

So.. A weekend in Jeju Island? Yes! It’s possible! This is the throwback story of how I spontaneously added Jeju in my supposed to be 2-week Seoul travel itinerary.

I went to South Korea last Spring. I initially wanted to spend my entire vacation knowing every corner of Seoul. To my luck, I became good friends with Koreans from Jeju Island before my planned trip. I gave my word that I’ll stop by Jeju to see them and that’s what I did.

I only had a weekend to spare though. It’ll be my first time going to Jeju so I looked up “must-see” places that I think I could squeeze in.

I kid you not when I say, it was my first time backpacking by myself! On top of that, I was able to let go of my control-freak self and go without a detailed itinerary. Still, I think I managed to make the most out of my 3days!

I booked my plane ticket via Jeju Air and it was departing from Gimpo. I took the earliest flight I could manage so I can maximize my day. The moment I landed, I immediately looked up the way to Jusangjeolli Cliff. Turns out it was only a bus ride away.

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I know my photos won’t do this place any justice but believe me when I say it was truly a sight to see!

The black pillars of hexagonal-shaped rocks was carved by mother nature herself. You can look at it from a view deck above. I was there for a while, it was a worthy welcome and I went hungry for more sights to see.

There is a park around the area as well. I didn’t wander around those parts for too long though. I took time looking around somewhere else.

While trying to figure out how to get to my next destination, I followed the road where I initially got off.

Oh, the beauty of spring.. More importantly, the beauty of getting lost with nature!

I could stay and take photos forever but the reality is I needed to go see more places. I took another bus ride. Next on my list is Jeongbang Waterfall; But my map led me to Sojeongbang Waterfall.

The way to the falls is a bit sketchy. But when you get there, you’ll find that it’s a pleasant little side trip. Almost nobody there but me.

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I breathe in the scenery for a while. I have a relationship with water that I can never put into words.

After resting there for a bit, I continued walking to the falls I’m originally after. It was a good thing that I wore a comfortable outfit.

Jeongbang Falls is said to be the only one in Asia that leads directly to the ocean. Isn’t that amazing? Life tends to me lead me to the ocean whenever I “fall” too.

I love it! I just love water falls, ok?! I stayed here until I was able to regain all of my energy. Before I know it, it was time for me to find my way home.

I could trust my map again this time, right? Wrong! Lol. This is where my most embarrassing experience as a tourist unfold..

I would love to continue on, but all my babbling about Day 1 has cost me an entire blog!
I’m sure you want to hear more. How about you head on the next parts and I’ll talk to you there?~

Travel Throwback: A weekend in Jeju Island (Part 2)

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.
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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.

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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!~

Travel Throwback: A weekend in Jeju Island (Part 3)

I’ve seen some of the beauty of Jeju’s outskirts on part 1 and part 2 of this blog. It’s now time I head to the city and meet my friends. Just how did we spend the night anyway?

After Udo, I had to take the bus back to the city proper. All my friends live near the city hall so I booked Backpackers In Jeju via Airbnb as it was the closest I could find.

Again, I booked a dorm type room and luckily had it all to myself. I highly recommend the place because of the location and the very chill vibe.

I checked in first, washed up, and met my CanFam (Canada Family).

Korean food is life! That dakgalbi was so good. We even had makgeolli on the side. Perfect!! Also, it was seriously the best bingsu I had my entire life! Oh how I miss it now!

After food and dessert, we also went to take some pictures and play bowling. I had so much fun! They are seriously the best hosts. I love them so much it hurts!

They say even good days come to an end. I had one of the longest days in my life and it was time for me to rest up.

Rest of the Fam walked me to my guesthouse and we bid goodbye with a promise that I will be a host to them too if they want to visit PH.

The hospitality of the people I met in Jeju were beyond my expectations. I have never felt more at home in a foreign place.

I called it a night and took my rest in preparation of my last day in Jeju. I didn’t have much time during my last day so I looked up things I could do around the city.

I have read about this place online and being a Filipino myself, I just had to come check it out!

Perfect breakfast or what?! I talked to the owner. He told me he lived in Boracay for a while. He love the island so much that it became his inspiration for the place. Fact: Koreans looove our mangoes!

Ok. I think I won’t forgive myself if I don’t come and taste one of Jeju’s delicacies—black pork!

Food blogger feels! I didn’t mind one bit that I had a feast by myself for lunch. Mind you, I even had soju by myself.

The pork was amazing! It had this light and clean taste. I prefer grilled beef in general but this one is honestly a good match. I mean, Jeju is also known for its seafood but if you feel like having pork, you can try this one.

I felt really full after those eats. I went back to my guesthouse, picked my things up and went to my last stop before my flight.

It is always nice to squeeze in museums during your travels. I went to the Jeju Folklore and Natural Museum.

They say that there are 3 things that Jeju has a lot of: Wind, Women and Rock.

I wanted to go to a local market before I go. I have a thing for markets too! When I checked the time, I only had enough to head to the airport so I guess I had to leave that for next time.

I made it in time for my flight. It was even delayed big time; But even so, it was ok because part of me didn’t want to go. *sad*

I just couldn’t believe all the things I went through, you know?—The places I saw, the people I met, the food I ate and the adventure I took. It is safe to say that Jeju left a mark in me that I will cherish forever. My traveller self has never been more proud!
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Before I end, I would like to mention that this write-up is all thanks to my CanFam in Jeju: TaeGyun, GwanRyeong, YangBeom, Brian, SungTaek and SoYeon~ This wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for you.

You have always gave me unimaginable courage even in my lowest days. I’ll forever be thankful from the bottom of my heart! 감사합니다~ 사랑해요!💕

I really hope I’ll be able to go back to Jeju again. I know there are more sights to see and food to eat! So if you are debating if this place is worth your time, I am telling you that it is! I highly recommend it!

Of course, if you don’t speak any Korean, I suggest you come more prepared than I am. This is not much of a travel guide because after all the fiasco I went through, I don’t think I’m the best person to ask. LOL.

I shared my experience to the best of my ability. If you read all 3 parts of this blog, I am grateful. I hope you enjoyed! Thanks for stopping by~

My Lotus Plant

Before I totally dive into Fall, let me just tell you about one of the highlights of my summer: BUYING MYSELF A LOTUS PLANT!!

I must tell you that I have been wanting to get a lotus plant for a really long while now. You see, it is my spirit plant (if there is such a thing) and since I have been investing on my mini garden already, I figured I might as well get one. Luckily for me, I found a neighbor selling her lotus plant! Talk about luck, eh?!

Sooooo… I wanted to keep the plant on our balcony. Buuuuut… it was messed up. I kid you not, there were junk that had been there forever!!! Your girl gotta do what your girl gotta do! I cleaned it up and it managed to look decent enough for a photo.

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Did you think I’d stop there? Oh no! No! No! No! My DIY senses kept tingling so I knew I had to do something about the plain space I have. After all, only the best and beautiful for my favorite plant!

I scoured my city, day and night, to find the best materials for my lotus corner.. Actually I just went to the dollar store and to one of my local home&garden center after work. Somehow the universe has given me exactly what I needed.

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Could I please explain before I proceed why my photos suck? I didn’t intend to blog about this initially so I was just literally taking photos to show someone my stuff. But after all the work, I ended up wanting to write about it. So there. (Whew! I finally got that out of my chest!) No more judging my photos. Let’s proceed.

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I think this photo here is self-explanatory? Kind of? Well I went ahead and worked my magic. I love how green and terracotta go well together so I always find myself buying artificial turf to contrast my terracotta pots. My lotus corner is no exception.

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Don’t you think my tiki-looking pot is a conversation piece? I find it really cool, I just had to buy it! The mini fountain was offered to me for a really cheap price so I threw it in my cart as well. I put them together on a nice plant rack which we already had sitting around the house. Everything came out just fine. Of course I was very happy with my work! Now the “after” photo:

I wanted to replace the basin where my lotus is planted but I seriously can’t find anything like it. I initially planned on putting it in a barrel planter but the one I bought ended up being too high. I will probably look for something else next spring. I know, it’s such an eyesore to my perfect corner. *sigh*

Maybe you’re now curious on how I take cake of my plant. Sorry to break it to you, but by now I have already prepared my lotus for dormancy; So this is not a good time to discuss that. I hope that wasn’t what you came here for. I will surely make a blogpost on lotus care next spring when it’s ready to actively grow again. Before that, let’s just pray my lotus survives the winter!!

You have reached the end of my blog. Thanks for stopping by and reading about my lotus. I will eventually introduce all my plants to you. My garden is filled with cute plants and interesting life stories. I will not have you missing out so be sure you’ll be here next time!

Triggered.

This blog post is honestly a triggered response to a recent noontime variety show (in the PH) episode where a couple of hosts defined “Depression” as something that is “made-up,” “unreal” and “just a fancy name.”

You see, I just can’t stand it when people mock mental illnesses. They are as real the common cold! YES! Depression, anxiety, OCD and the likes ARE REAL. It can happen to ANYONE.

I think some people don’t realize that the brain can get sick too, much like your bladder or your heart. So yeah, before saying that something isn’t “real,” you may want to look up some facts. You have no idea just how hard and serious it is to deal with it!

If society puts such stigma on depression, all the more it will exist. If left untreated, this is life threatening! Just how many lives of young people, brilliant people, and loved ones do you think have been lost to a battle against depression? And how many more will be there?

People going through something like this need a positive and accepting environment. If such a big media platform mocks people who don’t even know how to get help, do you think they will ever do?

I admire people who continue to fight despite suffering from depression; People who try their hardest even just to get up in the morning; And their loved ones who continue to support them though some days are extra hard. Stay strong, you!

Well, I wish with all my heart that something like this doesn’t happen again. I just can’t imagine this kind of message staying in people’s heads. It’s just wrong!

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// I didn’t mean for this post to be my first official blog on this site; But in times like this, I must vent out some steam. There will always be issues out there that will personally affect me and trust that I will not simply sit around and keep my mouth shut.

Anyway, this is really awkward but WELCOME TO MY BLOG, I guess?//