As I observe the surroundings, it seems the world is in turmoil. Mountain fires, droughts, floods, extreme heat, earthquakes, and soaring prices have become daily occurrences. Given these events, I felt that if danger were to strike, Korea might be a safer refuge than overseas.
Until recently, there was a trend of “living in Jeju for a month.” Jeju offers numerous natural attractions, with the beautiful sea and scenic shore walks being highlights. Every time I open my Instagram, I’m captivated by snapshots from Jeju. I had visited the island several times before but not in recent years. With rising anticipation, I started my accommodation search on Airbnb. Planning a 2-week stay, I desired a homely environment where I could cook and relax, ideally close to the sea. Airbnb provided detailed listings and trustworthy reviews. Even though my preference for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom place wasn’t budget-friendly, I managed to find an affordable option by shortening my stay slightly.
Our trip took place during peak summer, with four participants, each with distinct preferences. My aim was to ensure everyone enjoyed the journey without torture. For efficient travel between locations, we chose to drive our car and take a ferry.
Online booking was straightforward for me, but it could be tricky for non-Korean speakers. We embarked from Mokpo port, but alternatives like Incheon exist. I selected the most affordable ticket, around 30 USD per person, and the fare for our car was approximately USD 140 (one-way).
Tickets are typically sent via KakaoTalk or text post-payment. For foreigners, though, collecting the ticket in person with identification is a must.
The journey to Jeju surprisingly lasted 5 hours. At first, the views of seagulls, the sea, and the sky were mesmerizing. Even under a blistering sun, the steady wind kept the deck comfortable. Seagulls eagerly approached as passengers fed them snacks that they bought from the convenient store of the ferry. It became apparent that feeding the birds was a popular activity.
After the party with the birds and snacks, the sight of the sea caught my attention. The sea’s hue deepened to a richer blue, contrasting with the frothy white waves. There was something liberating to be on the deck.
The final three hours, however, became tedious due to the confined, cold interiors and deck humidity. I attempted to relax on a lounge chair in a corridor.
Time, as it always does, passed. As we neared Jeju, we were told to move inside the car, waiting to disembark. All the wheels of cars, including lorries were tightly tied to the hooks on the ferry floor. Watching this, my thoughts drifted to the Sewol ferry tragedy a decade ago. Given the vessel’s size and evident safety measures and processes of how things were done, it’s hard to believe such a disaster was merely an accident. Maybe not to make a sense is the sense of the world.
Jeju greeted us with brilliant sunshine and fewer crowds than expected. Probably the intense sunlight deterred many from exploring, the streets looked as if they were board from by themselves. Since none of us had eaten properly since morning, I steered towards a Thai restaurant I had noted earlier. Though they were preparing for their break, they graciously served all the dishes we ordered.
By the time we reached our accommodation, it was already past 4 pm. Despite standing unprotected under the fierce sun, the house was clean and orderly. A pleasant cypress aroma welcomed us upon entry. I initially planned an evening sunset outing, but we opted to unwind at home for the day. The vacation should be a vacation, not a race. To prepare for the dinner, I went to a nearby market. To my surprise, vegetables were less fresh but in higher prices. Maybe the main customers of them are not locals.
Endless open fields, dense forests, consistent sea breezes, steep prices, breathtaking sunsets, and drifting over time. Our short summer trip to Jeju started.
my alien mom 