The Haenyo Women, Manjanggul Lava Cave N Sea-Food

  Cheju-do, Korea Rep.
Tuesday, March 28, 2000

Dragon Rock N Lava Cave

Dragon Rock N Lava Cave (1)

Dragon Rock N Lava Cave (2)

Hey Hey and a Big G'Day toya,
 
After leaving our warm cocoon to head out and watch the sun rise we quickly found that we wouldn't be able to watch the sun rise as it was cloudy, cold and beginning to rain.  We quickly ran inside and happily stayed there for several hours. 
 
Sadly no abalone for breakfast this morning.
Bugger!
 
After fresh fruit we packed our things and headed back to Jeju city to catch the ferry back to the mainland.  When we arrived we happily (for Kim and I) found that the ferries had been cancelled for the day due to storm warnings and rough weather.  We quickly found a hotel, dropped our things off and decided to head out for breakfast to discuss what to do with the day. 
 
It seemed today we were in search of Haenyo.
Ok, what a Haenyo? I asked.
 
Haenyo are women who spend their lives diving Cheju-do's cold waters in search of abalone, conch, fish and what ever else they can catch to make a living.  Whilst they dive their husbands stay home and take care of the family side of things. 
 
How sweet!
 
After breakfast we headed to the foreshore and spent an hour or so walking and taking pictures of us in front of Dragon Rock.  We then began another coastal journey this time in search of Haenyo.  Not long into our journey we found what we were looking for and stopped to watch the crazy women diving into the freezing cold water returning with what ever they could catch. 
 
After waving good bye we I began to notice how many rocks there are on Cheju-do.
Most houses and fields have high fences made from rocks surrounding them. 
These act as a barrier against the strong sea winds. 
 
We then headed to Cheju-do's second Natural Wonder of the World. 
 
Manjanggul Cave is the worlds larges lava tube and was designated a Natural Monument in 1970.  It is thirteen and a half kilometers long and fifteen meters high and it was awesome to walk through.  As we walked Kim translated what the guide was saying for me.  What really did make me think was when the guide told us to imagine the huge size of the lava that left the volcano to leave such a huge cave! 
 
After leaving the cave we spent the rest of the day driving along the rocky coast line finding beautiful little places to stop and walk and spend time together. 
 
Later in the afternoon we headed back to Jeju City and spent several hours walking around the fish markets as Kim wanted to buy her family a heap of dried fish and sea-weed.  It was such a great afternoon. We also purchased a heap of seafood for our last dinner on beautiful Cheju-Do.
 
After a beautiful evening feasting on fresh seafood we all took a walk around the streets and then headed back to the hotel for an early evening.
 
Beers N Cheers toya....shane
 
Accommodation:        
Motel in Jeju City
______________________________________
 
The soundtrack to this entry was Aussie Dave Graney
The album was 'Heroic Blues'
 
*****(2007)  So, Cheju-Do, why did I not see another foreigner on the island?
 
For the life of me I couldn't figure it out. 
 
Not only does it have a dormant volcano and two Natural Wonders of the World, but it also has the Haenyo diving women and an historic Village where people still live and practice Shamanism. 
 
Along with that are the fresh sea-foods and the market places, then add the amazingly beautiful coastal drive.  Cheju-do really is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited.
 
But then again, I was in a car and had a beautiful Hawaiian girl from Korea!
One of my most memorable travel experiences!
Abalone fishing on your private beach!
Unbelievable!

Dragon Rock N Lava Cave

Dragon Rock N Lava Cave (1)

 

Dragon Rock N Lava Cave (2)