In two days I’m heading to Jeju Island for summer vacation. It has been four years since I’ve been and the first visit, while relaxing and fun,  was in December and quite cold, windy and rainy. It was still beautiful and picturesque but I am looking forward to seeing the tropical isle during the warmest days of the year.

To get myself into a cleaning/packing mood I decided to have a look at old pictures, dust them off and post them. I am looking forward to seafood, sunshine, touring, beaches and…probably…crazy crowds.

|Jeju|

A volcanic island off the south coast of Korea has been called the, “Hawaii of South Korea.”  I assume its only called that because more people know of Hawaii than Jeju but it seems like a silly moniker.  Sure they are both volcanic and tropical…but Jeju is still distinct.

Jeju sets itself apart from the rest of Korea by culture and language since it has been isolated from the mainland for the most part. One of the most interesting aspects of Jeju is the matriarchal family systems.  Women were often the main income earners and therefore head of the household, especially if they were one of the now famous hanyeo women, or woman divers.  On the last trip we were told that the men quite enjoyed this role reversal, ha.

They’ll be more awesome history lessons by Crystal when I return! You can enjoy these pictures until then. 😀