WOWKOREA'S SWEETEST FAREWELL IN JEJU ISLAND

OVERVIEW

Our 4th fam trip with WOWKOREA was indeed exceptional. After a night stop, traveling in Jeollanamdo Province Mokpo, We were heading to Jeju Island.

Synonym with the name "Paradise of Korea" Jeju Island offer breathtaking scenery different from what we usually see in the metropolitan city. Although this is not my first time in Jeju, but this is very special as I get to spend time, collecting memories with my WOWKOREA family. We had the best 3 days 2 nights in Jeju. In this post I'll be sharing on a lot of interesting places, muslim friendly restaurants, fun activities in Jeju and hotels to stay!

WHERE TO STAY

1) Sono Calm Jeju

Located in the Southern coast of the island, the hotel offers superb ocean view, spectacular sunset and sunrise. The resort complex has a beautiful garden and a walking path along the beach.

Most importantly, the room was spacious, neat, clean and tidy. The big glass panel door and balcony definitely a plus point. My favorite part was the breakfast buffet. I prefer bread over rice in the morning, and their croissant was perfectly flaky! This is certainly one of the best hotel in Jeju Island.

Address: 6347-17, Iljudong-ro, Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo, Jeju Island

Room Rate: 129,000 won

2) Luceville Resort

The room was spacious, clean and tidy. Snacks and juice provided complete with all the basic amenities that would be needed. Breakfast buffet was quite nice as well.

The annex which provide seating area, books and computer has quite and English interior. Overall, good hotels to rest after full day trip in Jeju. The only cons is the swimming pool located at different building, I tried to find it but could found it.

Address: 786 Sallongnam-ro Andeok-myeon, Jungmun, Jeju Island

Room rate: 88,000 won

WHERE TO GO

Natural Attractions

1) Geum Oreum (금오름)

Geum Oreum is one of the defunct volcanic mountain in Jeju. Since pandemic started, traveling and exploring natural attractions has become a trend. Not only because it is safe from being in closed and crowded area but also to destress from the covid prevention life and repetitive work and study life.

Climbing this Oreum (450m high) was rather short but if you are not fit or a hiking person like me it can be long and suffered *laughs*. But once you arrived at the peak, the view from up there was captivating! At one side you can see the curvy oreum and on another side with panoramic view of Jeju Island including Mount Hall. When we were there, Mount Halla was capped with snow. It must very pretty up there.

Address: 산1-1 Geumak-ri, Hallim-eub, Jeju-si, Jeju-do

Fees: Free entrance

2) Seopjikoji

Talking about the natural view of Jeju Island, certainly we cannot missed Seopjikoji. This is one of the major tourist destination in the East side of the island. The white lighthouse on top of a cliff is not only the point of attractions, the newly installed giant swing is instagram hot place as well. A lot of people queue to keep their moments here.

The swing was indeed beautiful with the view of UNESCO Heritage sites, Seongsan Ilchulbong. Surely a place you cannot missed if you visited Jeju in the future. Not only that, there is horse riding activities, a gallery museum and a church in the area. Seopjikoji area was wide yet from my observation one hour would be enough to explore the whole place.

Address: Seopjikoji-ro, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo, Jeju-do

Fees: Free Entrance // Opens at 9.00 AM

3) Woljeongri Beach

One of the finest white sandy beach in Jeju Island. We were lucky because the weather on that day was amazing, it does added vivid effect made the water crystal clear and blueish turquoise. You also can find a lot of cafes facing the beach. Most have decks open to the sky or constructed on the roof top, complete with deck chairs so one could order your favorite drink and enjoy the view at the same time.

Seeing this beautiful and tp notch natural scene does release some stress from study. Beach really relaxes mind. In fact, on a serious note leisure walk along the beach can boosts the production of endorphins or the “happy hormones” which promotes better health and well-being.

Address: Woljeong-ri, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do

Fees: Free entrance

Safe and fun activities

4) Choi Nam Dan Orange Farm (Orange Picking)

Again, talking about Jeju, everybody can guess it signature fruits which are Hallabong and Jeju Tangerines. But, do you know we can head to tangerines farm and had a plucking experience. It is very interesting, I never went to any tangerines orchard before! I'm done ticking one of my childhood bucket list.

About this place, not only offer Hallabong and oranges picking experience but also animal feeding activities and monorail ride around the farm. In Korea, the tangerines season starting from November to February. So during this period it is the best time to pluck and harvest them.

Address: 2140-1 Namwon-ri, Namwon-eup, Seogwipo, Jeju

Fees: 15,000 won (All pass indcludes 2 kilograms of tangerines, monorail and animal feeding activities).

Operation hour: Open every day 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM

5) Bontae Museum

Bonte museum was designed by a Japanese designer namely Tadao Ando. Since I set my foot inside the museum area, I already fall in love with the architecture. The combination of concrete walls, water and nature bringing serene and calm ambience. The museum compromises five exhibition halls ranging from traditional art to contemporary art.

You can look at and learn about the history of traditional wear, crafts, artifacts and wander in contemporary Kusama Yayoi’s Infinity Room and the masterpiece pumpkin art.

Yayoi Kusama is a Japanese contemporary artist who works primarily in sculpture and installation, Kusama likes to guide the viewer to her psychedelic imagery as if they are from another planet. In 2012, Yayoi Kusama collaborated with Louis Vuitton on a new collection of which Kusama’s dots.

Address: Jeju-do, Seogwipo-si, 특별자치도, Andeok-myeon, Sallongnam-ro762beon-gil, 69

Fees: 20,000 won adults

Operation Hour: Open from 10.00 AM to 6.00 PM

6) Camellia Hill

Camellia hill located in Seogwipo-si, the southern side of Jeju Island. It is the most popular site especially when the camellia flower blooms. This 20 hectares arboretum offers about 500 different species of native camellia flowers and other plant species.

Walk leisurely through the garden, you will find a lot of photo spots with cute decorations. Not only that, the wide botanical garden also consists cafes and an observatory tower. This park is ideal for promoting safe travel during this pandemic era. The park is spacious and can accommodate thousands of visitors and is ideal for family recreation as well.

Address: 166 Byeongang-ro, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do

Fees: Adults 9,000 won // Kids 6,000 won

Operation hour: Opens 8.30 AM to 6.00 PM

Night attractions in Jeju

7) Jeju Art Park (Forest Fantasia)

Time well spent here! If I have to be honest, I didn't have a lot of expectations at first. I checked on social media before arriving at the place and it looks just like a place with some fairy lights. Nothing interesting to see. But! I was totally wrong. We were there for a campfire! Yes, you can do campfire here. What a good and fun way to spent time, rebonding with friends and family.

You don't have to worry about how to set up the fire, there is staff who will help you! Thats the biggest plus point because not everyone know how to do it. Including me *laughs*. We were served with fishcake bar and the soup for the starter, then we had marshmallow for roasted. The food keeps coming *laughs* and finally we were served with home made Jeju Carrot cake and warm Yuja Tea. Not to forget, you can add sweet potato too! then, roasted it under the fire! Everything on grill is delicious, everybody knows that aite.

Address: 산27 Deoksu-ri, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do

Fees: Entrance 5,000 won, Campfire package starting from 25,000 won

Operation Hour: Day enrance: 9.00 AM to 11.00 PM, Night entrance 6.00 PM to 11.00 PM

8) Arte Museum Jeju

I am a fans of modern and digital art! I found this museum was very impressive. The scale of the exhibitions were no joke. It was divided into few themes, my most favorite was waterfall and waves.

Fact that, I'm a fans of DISTRICT artwork, I really appreciate the explosion of colors used at every art works they display here! Also, just in case you've seen the impressive waves artwork that being displayed on big screen at COEX Gangnam, it is from the same artists!

Address: Jeju-do, Jeju-si, Aewol-eup, Eorimbi-ro, 478 KR

Fees: Adults 17,000 won

Operation hour: Open at 10.00 AM to 8.00 PM

WHERE TO EAT

For muslim travellers, food always be our biggest concern when traveling. Jeju is famous for its fresh and variety of seafood. Here, we can have some option to eat and to try local delicacies. However, please note that these are not Halal certified restaurant. Yet, there are no beef and pork on the menu.

1) Oreumgwa Badang

First of all, the visual and presentation of food in here was shocking! I never seen a fish that long *laughs*. Next, the taste was so delicious. For Malaysian, it reminds me of less spicy version of "Asam Pedas" and my friend said it taste similar like Mi udang.

Address: 531 Nokcha Bunjae-ro, Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju-si.

Menu Price: Galchi Haemul Jorim 100,000 won

Operation Hour: Open 10.00 AM to 8.00 PM

2) Chakan Jeonbok

Jeonbok is translated to Abalone. This restaurant specialized in abalone dish. Mostly people came here to eat abalone seafood hotpot or spicy seafood soup. From my opinion, despite the freshness of the seafood, it tastes similar than what I usually had in Seoul. Besides that, variety of side dishes coming as well, one of them is abalone porridge, wah! that was an item! very delicious. We can order pajeon or Korean seafood pancake too.

Address: hour: Jeju-si, cheonjaeyeon-ro 119

Menu Price: Jeonbuk Haemul Jeongol 60,000 won, Seafood Pajeon 15,000 won

Operation hour: Open at 9.00 AM to 10.00 PM

3) CocoMama

If you will be visiting Seongsan Ilchulbong, the UNESCO Heritage site in Jeju, I want to suggest to eat in this restaurant. Firstly, they are certified muslim friendly restaurant in Korea. Second, the food is top notch! Lobster yes, as you can see in the picture. Not only that, the seafood platter comes with pineapple fried rice, fried shrimp, crab, squid, cream clam and etc.