Jeju Island is perhaps one of the most popular domestic tourist spots in Korea. For this reason I wasn't sure what to expect (Its been called the Hawaii of Korea). I wasn't sure if it was going to be cool or just totally over built and touristy. Well both were true. It was definitely touristy, but geared towards Koreans so that just made it even more interesting to me. The coast was fairly built up, but the minute you turned off the main road, you would hit farm land.
I was hoping to rent a motorcycle but since it was low season I couldn't find any shops with one ready to go, instead I had to settle for a 125cc scooter. I spent two days just cruising all over the Island. The 125cc could at least hit mid 50s but maxed out at 92 kph.
On the second day I rode around with Mark, an english teacher on break, who had his own 250cc motorcycle. The great thing about riding around Jeju is that it had a lot to offer scenery wise. Jeju is a volcanic island and has the highest peak in Korea. So once you started to ride up in altitude, the landscape would change. All these photos were shot within two days, I think you can probably see the diversity.
Jeju was pretty badass. This may sound silly, but Jeju was my vacation within a vacation. For this reason I didn't really take all to many photographs, I mostly just rode my 125cc around (I clocked over 300 km in two days!) and drank coffee (just like at home!).
Over looking the island of Udo.
#1 - Climbing to the top of Seongsan Ilchulbaong Peak (north eastern side of the island)
#2 - Beach on the north west coast.
Seongsan Ilchulbaong Peak
Wild flowers near the coast.
My beast... actually it had a sticker on it that said "my bike is a beast"
An island and a horse.
Underground lava tubes, one of the longest in the world.
Continuing along the coast on the second day.
#1 - Wind farm, north west coast.
#2 - Directly behind the wind farm, traditional burial mound.
On the second day the wind got really nasty, so at this point we turned inland.
Shortly after turning inland we can across this farmer co-op.
Climbing up on route 1117, the scenery quickly began to change.
Up at about 700 meters, looking out towards the sea. I would have loved to have kept claiming, but the scooter didnt like the step hills.
A vegetarian restaurant called "the loving hunt" it was great to have a veggie burger, in fact i ate three!
Directly behind "the loving hunt" was a random batting cage right on the street. 500 won (less then 50 cents) for 10 balls! I couldn't resist. I visited the batting cages a few times.
Sunset at the harbor.
This was not my ferry, but a ferry adjacent to it. The one I was taking was about the same sizes.... just a lot older.
Passengers boarding.
Busan at dusk.
A worker checking tickets.
A small arcade on the ship.
Oh man, a night club. I cant say I stayed awake long enough to check it out.
There was this weird map highlighting different country with sterotypical pictures... I think this stereotype is "the creepy American pedophilia"
Goodbye Busan!
Unfortunately I was on the wrong side of the Island to get really great shots.
Then again there is always the local fish market to check out at 6am.
Boats in the harbor.
Loading fish off the boats into trucks.
Fish boxes.
The harbor had a nice raw feel and there didn't seem to be any parts off limits.
The docks and the market.
Busan street food, an entire alleyway!
These guys approached me and had me take a snapshot of them with one of Busan's many bridges (which everyone seems super proud of) and the background.
The tough women of the fish market.
Sunset at the fish market.
Buddha by the beach.
The best no smoking sign I have ever seen. This thing much have been 10 feet tall.
Busan, Korea
Beomeosa Temple
#1 - Beomeosa Temple
#2 - Fortress Walls, North Gate
A wrong turn took me down this street. All the store fronts looked like this.
Street market festival.
#1 - This guy rocked. I had no idea what he was saying, but he did a little dance for me.
#2 - Lots of fun alleyways to explore.
A guess its not just metal shops that look like these.
#1 - Man watching karaoke at a street festival
#2 - Busan street market.
Busan harbor at night.
Fire at the fish market.
A business man steps out of a fish market restaurant to take a phone call.
#1 - The Busan fish market was very different then Tokyo, most of it was outside....
#2 - ...and almost all the stands were run by woman.
Holding an octopus. It made some pretty wild sounds when she plucked it off her gloves.