Dutch cycling duo ends marathon trip on Jeju, South Korea

January 31, 2009 by David Holmes · 1 Comment
Filed under: Interviews

Dutch cyclists
Peter Mak (left) and Karen Van Toor | Credit: David Holmes

Cycling the world, one revolution at a time
Story and photos by David Homles

They cycled nearly 38,000 miles in six years through 38 countries. They survived severe malaria, rampant rats and stone-throwing Africans. But it took the global financial crisis to end the cycling odyssey of Peter Mak and Karen Van Toor. Last stop: Jeju Island.

Tags: , around the world, cycling, dutch, JEJU, SOUTH KOREA

Coffee at Daum café, Jeju, South Korea

January 28, 2009 by Jenie Hahn · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Coffee Shops

Dolharubang with laptop
Even Jeju’s treasured Dolharubang is down with Daum | Credit: Jenie Hahn

Delicious coffee and free Wi-Fi in futuristic setting
Story and photos by Jenie Hahn

You might be familiar with the name ‘Daum’ which is one of the leading internet portal sites in Korea. Its headquarters are in Seoul but its research media center is right here on Jeju, home to about 200 employees. At Daum café, located inside the media center, you can use your laptop for an unlimited time to access the internet, while sipping a cup of delicious Italian coffee and browsing through the latest bestsellers (Korean only). Unobtrusive electric outlets are scattered around the floor to power your machine too.

Tags: daum café, JEJU, SOUTH KOREA

The Glass Castle, Jeju, South Korea

January 26, 2009 by Jim Saunders · 3 Comments
Filed under: Art Galleries & Museums, Things to Do

Glass village diorama
It’s like Loveland, minus the explicit statues | Credit: Jim Saunders

New tourist attraction goes with a glass theme
Story and photos by Jim Saunders

Upon entering one of Jeju’s newest tourist attractions, the Glass Castle, the striking similarities with Loveland will soon become readily apparent. It’s as if the business model that sustains Loveland has been picked up and plonked down again somewhere else on the island. Only this time the sexually explicit sculptures have been exchanged for tasteful works of art made from glass.

Tags: , castle, glass, JEJU, SOUTH KOREA

2009 Penguin Swim, Jeju, South Korea

January 21, 2009 by Brian Miller · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Jeju & Korean Culture, Things to Do

Participants for the 2009 Penguin Swim wait at the start line | Credit: Brian Miller

Islanders hit the beach despite unusually harsh winter weather
Story and photos by Brian Miller

It was a bitterly cold Saturday morning on what locals like to call “Korea’s Hawaii,” though the name seemed especially ill-chosen that day, as the temperatures hovered around freezing and the snow fell gently to the frozen sands of Jungmun beach. It was just the kind of morning that makes you wonder if Hawaiians ever have to drive with snow chains.

Tags: , JEJU, penguin swim, SOUTH KOREA

The man and his mountain, Jeju, South Korea

January 13, 2009 by Marcie Miller · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Jeju & Korean Culture, Things to Do

An Hye-Kyeung (left) translates the words of her father, An Heung-Chean | Credit: Jim Saunders

Mountain climber, artist An Heung-Chean’s passion is on display at a new Jeju-si gallery
Story by Marcie Miller | Photos by Jim Saunders

An Heung-Chean has painted, drawn and sketched the love of his life thousands of times. He has captured her with the morning dawn creeping across her face; with the golden rays of evening caressing her slopes, with clouds spilling over her face like a shy bride’s veil. And always, to him she is beautiful.

Tags: , An Heung-Chean, halla mountain, JEJU, SOUTH KOREA

Tastes like Jeju: Five days markets, Jeju, South Korea

January 10, 2009 by Jessica Wallace · 3 Comments
Filed under: Things to Do

Dave Patton helps prepare
A market stall owner (left) looks on while Naomi Stanko samples produce on sale at the O-il Jang
Credit: Brian Miller

There’s nothing like local markets for healthy, fresh produce
Story by Jessica Wallace | Photos by Jessica Wallace and Brian Miller

Although traveling in any direction on Jeju will lead you to a fresh market, the most convenient place to stock up may be the Five Day Markets in Jeju City, Seogwipo and Hallim. The O-il-jang in Jeju City is a maze beneath enormous tents, swarming with locals even during the week. I love wandering the aisles, smelling deep fried snacks and picking up on tiny pieces of buzzing conversation.

Tags: , five day market, food, JEJU, SOUTH KOREA

Bree’s Bites: Savory crepes, Jeju, South Korea

January 9, 2009 by Breeana Hill · 1 Comment
Filed under: Cooking

Dave Patton helps prepare | Credit: Breeana Hill

Savory crepes are great for any meal
Story and photos by Breeana Hill

When I think about crepes I think sweet. Most people eat crepes with fruit, maple syrup, and powdered sugar. I thought it would be nice to tweak the recipe so that I could use crepes like a tortilla, and fill it with meat, veggies and other various ingredients. So instead of adding vanilla and sugar to my crepe batter, I decided to add salt, pepper, and green onions.

Tags: , breeana hill, Cooking, crepes, JEJU, recipe, SOUTH KOREA

Still Crazy About Starcraft, Jeju, South Korea

January 7, 2009 by Alex Cybulski · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Jeju & Korean Culture, Things to Do

10-year-old video game is a national fixation in South Korea
Story by Alex Cybulski
Love and Starcraft
Love is like the Protoss, Zerg and Terran duking it out | Credit: KBS Broadcasting

It is not unusual to turn on the television and see this commercial: decked out in matching leather jackets, with clear skin and perfectly groomed hair, a group of teenage boys pose for the camera. Punk pop plays in the background, telling of their youthful virility. Who are these heartthrobs? With their sponsors labeled on their motorcycle jackets ranging from Shinhan Bank to Samsung, they look like a professional sports team.

Tags: , JEJU, southkorea, starcraft