The Madness Begins

Today was designed to test the resolve of our younger children. I am proud to say there were very few grumpy moments despite all the walking involved.

Stop one was Seongsan Ilchubong Peak, a volcanic crater on the Eastern coat of Jeju Island. It is reknown as a spectacular sight at sunset.

There is a path winding up to the top some 300m above the carpark. From below it looks quite intimidation, but all the kids made the climb and really appreciated the view. Despite howling winds obviously buffeting the ships below nearly everyone made the most of the high vantage points to look down into the village below.

Second stop after luch almost saw a few Sookie Monsters appear as it cam after lunch and a 30 minute bus trip. This being a perfect recipe to see many kids collapsing into the bus seats. Kimnyoung Maze Park proved to be a pleasant little distraction and despite the daunting statistic of only 70% making it to the centre to ring the bell, all our party had the pleasure of sounding the chimes of success.

Final stop Manjanggul Cave was a mere 500m away. This cave is world reknown as a lava tube/tunnell. It was formed during volcanic eruptions with lava flowing down the sides. Lave on the outside cooled enough to solidify leaving the still molten lave to flow down through the straw.

It can be easy to dismiss such a site because Australia has it's own fine example of lava tubes near Chillagoe, 300klms West of Cairns. This system has over 20klms of flow tunnels, but many of the tunnel roofs have collapsed leaving a series of caves/tunnels.

Manjanggul excells because the public can walk along over one kilometer of tunnel and there is more tunnel beyond this point of unbroken tunnel. Along there way are features such as rock falls, flow/lava level marks, Stalagmites, float stones all lit by colourful lighting. I was pleasantly surprised to find the cave system so interesting and it certainly made a great contrast to the Australian Lava tubes. Wildlife abounds in the Australian tubes, making access difficult ad at times hazardous, but the public access area of Manjanggul Cave is much more people friendly.

Dinner involved a visit to a restaurant famous for another Jeju delicacy, Black Pork. This was cooked over hot coals at the table. Meat and various condiments placed onto either a lettuce leaf, or Sesame leaves, wrapped and...... stuffed into the mouth all in one go. Yes that's right no two bites. One has to become very adept at knowing how big ones mouth is. Fortunately everyone survived with modesty intact and we enjoyed a great meal before sending the Mum's off to go shopping and the “responsible” Dad's to escort children home to bed.

Lots of browny points have been carefully noted (by the Dads at least).