We have been fortunate enough to have secured a 4 week house sit on Jeju Island off the south coast of South Korea. This is much more our style and speed of enjoying an area.
We are looking after Lulu, a twelve year old Great Dane, and all she desires is to lay on the couch or find some shade if we are outside so she can be near us. Due to the heat wave that is coinciding with our stay a lot of our time is spent inside with her.The area we are in is very rural and made up of small fields with an amazing variety of crops which seem to constantly be coming into season. A lot of the produce is harvested by hand.But they do have heavier equipment if the produce calls for it. Both of these fields are right across from our house.I had read this book over a year ago, but when Karen saw our current house sit come up, it is the reason I was very keen to do it. Karen has read it while we have been here and it has added to the quality of our stay immeasurably. It may be a novel, but I can assure you it is incredibly well researched. It is well worth a read.As we were driving across the island to visit the Haenyeo Museum we saw this stone meeting place. I just started laughing as it is exactly as described in the book. These rudimentary shelters are where the women would warm up after their day of diving and discuss the business of their lives. Very cool to actually see.Though Jeju Island is part of South Korea, is governed as a semi autonomous state. The government of Jeju Island has done an outstanding job of preserving and advertising the history of these incredibly tough women. The statute out front highlights not only their tough occupation, but also how they played a pivotal role in fighting back against the brutal occupation of the Japanese from 1910 until 1945.The museum was filled with cool art and did an excellent job of explaining the life of these free diving women. We were fortunate enough to see some Haenyeo at work. In years past they would work in groups but as society has changed now it seems singular divers is more the norm.The husbands wait on shore to help haul the harvest to the trucks.These Dol hareubang statues are everywhere on the island. As the entire island consists of volcanic rock, that is what they are made of. They are meant to protect property from evil spirits.The one immediate thing you notice when spending any time on the island is the total commitment to wind power. They make for an interesting addition to any landscape photos. Look for them, they are hiding in the haze.A 5 minute drive from our house allowed us to enjoy a lovely evening watching the sun set over the Yellow Sea.We took advantage of the knowledge of the home owner we were sitting for. He recommended this shop for fish and chips. Good call. It was excellent, and prepared fresh while you waited. Honestly, we would not have given the place a second look without the suggestion.As Jeju Island is the holiday destination of choice for South Koreans we felt we should check out at least one beach. Lovely beach with great amenities. Sun screen or an umbrella are a necessity though.
We are loving our time here. The current heat wave makes it a bit challenging but still a wonderful place. When the end of the week comes we will be fully recharged and ready to explore more of this corner of the globe. I do love our life.
Leave a Reply to AnonymousCancel reply