Dong Geomun Oreum (동거문오름)

I'm back to hiking up oreums.

I've been talking about wanting to write an oreum guidebook all summer, and now I'm finally getting out and getting some research, taking notes, getting photos, and the hardest of all for me, writing. This oreum is on most maps as Dong Geomun Oreum (동거문오름). Dong (동) is Korean for east, so don't get it confused with the UNESCO Geomun Oreum. This oreum has 5 peaks, and has one of the most impressive faces I've been to with a ridge dropping off to a 40 degree angle right below you!

Lemon Chicken at Jejustock '09

A couple of weeks ago, my old co-worker, Christian, noticing the lack of availabilty for live music in Jeju, decided to put together a music festival of his own. Jejustock '09 at Gimnyeong beach was created as a fundraiser for WAVES for Development, a charity in Peru where surfers help the local communities. Christian and Jorge, the organizers, have seen a couple of our live performances and asked me if we could play. Unfortunately, Troy left the island, so we couldn't put together a big band on short notice. Instead, I talked to Hugh, we got together a few nights, ate some lemon chicken and Sushi and worked on a nice opening act. I'm always surprised how much the crowd seems to enjoy our folky songs, but I'm happy for it and love to keep playing. Hugh's an incredible guitar player and fun to play with! (photo: Cat Lever)

Solar Eclipse Coming

There's a near-total solar eclipse coming to Jeju on July 22nd. The article says that the sun will be 93% covered in the Seogwipo area starting at 9:34 am on Wednesday.

http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/07/03/2009070300626.html

Sailboat

If you want, you can take yacht cruise down at Jungmun Beach. Jeju is extremely beautiful when it is clear, but this was taken a while ago during the yellow dust season. In the springtime, the winds the the sand from the deserts of northern China and bring them over Korea. They call it the 'Yellow Dust.' Yellow Dust causes a lot of health problems and brings a nasty haze, but as you can tell, it can even be beautiful on a hazy day.

Squirrel Cave (다람쥐굴)

This is Darren and Christine climbing at the new climbing area that the Ace Climbing Club developed over the spring. It's called "Squirrel Cave." If you're from Jeju, it's on the river in between the new Halla Library and the main Stadium area. The climbs there range in height from about 8 to 13 meters, including some of the easiest routes in the area at 5.7 and 5.8 and the hardest route in Jeju, a 5.13b/c called "Jump"

Truck

One of the most exciting things about driving around rural areas are the old tractors you see. If there's one word to describe them when they're on the road, it would have to be SLOW. It's always exciting when you see them, the other cars are trying their very best to get around them. Sometimes the dumptrucks barely flinch and give them room. Remember in Asia, the 'right of way' is easy to remember, it's 'right of the biggest!'

Challenge Quiz Champ 100회 특집 외국인편

About a month ago, I heard rumors that the local TV station, KCTV, wanted to do a quiz show for foreigners. I was a bit skeptical at first, but my friend Mika decided to do it, so I found the courage to go on too, if only to have a chance to meet new people and practice my Korean.

Although the edited show is just over an hour, the show taping actually took all afternoon.....and all evening. All of the questions are about Jeju and Jeju culture. In the first round, they actually also asked all the questions in Korean AND English, though they edited the English out on the final cut. I made it to the second round, and probably should've made it to the third round....I knew a couple more of those answers. Nevertheless, It turned out to be a great time, and I'm really glad I did it! It was a lot of fun, but I didn't get much air-time. Pretty much, they only show me making a stupid face because I misspelled an answer. Then, after I made it to the second round, I got a right answer (Oreums...duh) and a wrong answer (It's true that's where it is! I just wish I could've understood the question!). I think the last round was a bit unfair, and weighted heavily towards the native English speaker. Congrats Matt! I wish I made that round too! I think if Mika chose me for the taboo section, then she would've won!

You can watch it here! It's No. 106. 100회 특집 외국인편 7/1/09

If you're in Jeju, it'll be on Saturday 7/4 and Sunday 7/5 on KCTV, Channel 5

http://kctvjeju.com/contents/index2.asp?muid=214&pmuid=50

(the video works for me only if I watch it in Internet Explorer)