In the 6 months I've lived on Jeju, I've tried to take in as much stuff as possible. I've seen most of the stuff on the North side of the island, and down the west side, but I hadn't explored the South so much.
This past weekend 2 friends of mine from Seoul came to visit, and I finally was motivated to get up off my my ass and do something, since I really haven't since Fall. We Hiked Halla Mountain on Saturday, and went down to Jungmun on Sunday. I'm still all hurty.
Friday, after they arrieved, we went to La Vie, a small cafe bar in downtown Shin-Jeju located behind the Milano Crown Hotel. It's cozy and chill, and the owner is sweet. It's one of the few places that foreigners on the island go regularly. It has a small bookshelf when you go in, with books people have read and want to pass on to others. I've been there a few times now, and always bring the books I'm finished with, and grab a new one.
The three of us played Dirty Scrabble, while drinking a bottle of red wine. It was a short game... I couldn't concentrate once my nachos arrived. We also ordered the Avocado and cheese sandwich, I was pleased with it all.
Next, it was on to the JimJil Bang, or Sauna. We went to the big touristy one called Young Duam Haesu Land, Which means Dragon Head Sea water Sauna. I LOVE going to the public bath houses and saunas. I find them incredibly relaxing, and I am not at all bothered by nakedness. My friends we rent so comfortable hangin out in the nude with all the other ladies there. One of them did finally join me in the showers and hot tubs, but she was shy. Joyce, my other friend waited for us in the main area where all the hot rooms are.
For anyone who has never been to a Korean sauna, there are certain etiquette rules to follow. Koreans are obsessively clean about their bodies. Back in the day when everyone didn't have private baths, families would go the bath house together. Things have changed since then, but the principle is still the same: to get your body clean and rejuvenate.
It's usually between $4-9 to enter a sauna and they have separate facilities for men and women.
Once you've paid, go into the changing area and grab a locker. You can bring your own shower stuff from home, or you can buy small packets of shampoo, and what not inside. Get naked, grab your soap and head for the sauna/shower room and scrub yourself down at a shower stall.
Depending on the size of the place, they will usually have 3-5 tubs, all at different temperatures.
Once you are squeaky clean, test out the different tubs. Sometimes they will have a "green tea" bath or some other medicinal like soak. If you are really brave, you can have one the ladies that work there scrub you down for an extra $15 or so. but be warned: They intend to scrub the first layer of skin off your body. it hurts. but afterwards, your skin will be baby smooth!
The idea is to be naked in the hot tubs, so I don't think bikinis or swimsuits are welcomed. I've never heard of it or seen it, except for the odd foreigner that doesn't know the rules. If anyone has info on this let me know.
Once you've turned into a prune, you can dry off and change into your shorts and t-shirt provided by the sauna. Head to the meeting place, where men and women can hang out, and try out some of the hot rooms to sweat the toxins out of your body. You can buy face packs for $1, that make you look really creepy, but are nice and cool. There is usually a canteen or restaurant there, and you can stay as long as you like. Koreans love goin to the saunas, and the weekends are usually busy. It's a great way to unwind. Buy yourself a big bottle of Iced green tea or a can
of beer and kick back!
We left around midnight, after a very chill evening, not anticipating waking up at 6am to climb Halla. 