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Jeju Island South Korea. Question Re Excursions

I am booking my excursions. Cost of Korea excursions are very reasonable most especially when compared to Japan.

Trying to decide which one to sign up for. Like them both. For those who have been to JeJu Island, any feedback?

Hallim Park & O'Sulloc Tea Museum
Details
4 hrs

OVERVIEW

Delve deeply into Korean culture at a park devoted to traditional life and natural wonders, and then browse a museum that celebrates tea. While walking about the lushly landscaped grounds at Hallim Park, you might see a 300-year-old bonsai pine tree, peacocks strutting about or historical thatched houses that depict traditional life in Jeju centuries ago. The lava caves at Hallim Park are another highlight, as they were created long ago by the eruption of Mt. Halla and contain an abundance of stalagmites and stalactites, which are rare in lava caves. You will next visit the O’Sulloc Tea Museum, whose exhibits are devoted to every imaginable aspect of tea, including tea cups, tea rooms, tea leaves and the history of tea. Even the building is shaped like a green tea cup. If you venture up to the museum’s second-floor observatory, you will be treated to sweeping views of the surrounding plantation with its terraced fields of tea.

Need To Know:
This tour includes about two hours of standing and moderate walking over one mile. There will be uneven lava steps in the caves, as well as wet and slippery surfaces. The tour is not available to wheelchair guests and not considered suitable for those with walking difficulties. The tour sequence may vary. The Tea Museum will be substituted with the O'sulloc Tea plantatoin due to remodeling.

OR

Jeju City Highlights
Details
3 hrs

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a fascinating look at Jeju’s most recognizable landmarks, which include a rock shaped like a dragon’s head, a revealing cultural museum and a thriving city market. Although natural elements carved what looks to be a dragon’s head in Yongduam Rock, various mystical legends abound about its creation. Regardless of how it was formed, the rock has become a symbol of Jeju. You will learn more about the city at the Folklore and Natural History Museum. While browsing the exhibits, you may learn about Jeju’s natural features, endemic animals and plants, and daily rituals. Items such as ancient looms for weaving hemp clothing and chunks of lava are beautifully displayed. Continuing on to Dongmun Market, you will enjoy a close-up look into daily life on the island, as the locals will be shopping for merchandise ranging from abalone to herbs to tangerine-flavored chocolate. Established in 1945 following Korea’s liberation from colonial rule, the market features hundreds of stalls.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing, including a lightweight jacket.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes with non-slip soles.

Need To Know:
This tour includes about two hours of moderate walking and standing. There are about 20 irregular lava stone steps to reach Yongduam Rock, and surfaces at Dongmun Market may be wet and slippery. The tour is not available to wheelchair guests and not considered suitable for guests with walking difficulties.

While I like both excursions, neither grabs me and that is why I am having to make. a decision.

Posted by
1491 posts

Sorry I can't help, I haven't been to Jeju. (I would like to visit, I read it is lovely!!!)

I spent about 3 weeks in Seoul and surrounds on two different occasions last year. If you have any Seoul excursion questions - glad to share my thoughts!

I hope you get some experienced advice! Quite a reasonable question.

Posted by
2583 posts

Thank you ORD traveler

yes, Jeju is supposed to be the Hawaii of Korea. I have been watching youtube videos.

My cruise is going to overnight in Seoul before we disembark. I have already chosen a 6 hour excursion for Seoul which will not be enough but it never is.

My post is very specialized and I may not get any answers from forum but it can not hurt to try.

Posted by
1491 posts

Boston - Glad you are set with a shore excursion for Seoul to your liking! I hope it includes one of the major palaces: Gyeongbokgung or Changdeokgung. Both are stunning and the scale magnificent.

Posted by
1028 posts

I haven't been to Jeju, but I recommend the historical fiction book Island of the Sea Women, by Lisa See. It's a great story, set on Jeju Island

Posted by
2583 posts

Barbara N

I believe that there is a shore excursion to meet the women divers on Jeju Island.

I was not as interested in that one as I am with the other two but thank you for the recommendation of the book. I am not. a reader but I will still look into it.

EDIT: I looked up the book and although it is fiction, there is some truth. There are women divers on Jeju island. I do not have the excursion in front of me so I do not know what they are called.

Posted by
2583 posts

Hi Carol

I like and drink tea but I am more interested in how interesting and pretty the museum / store is and the area around it.

Seems like you can buy food products made with green tea.

Posted by
2583 posts

ORDtraveler

I believe that my excursion to Seoul does inclide one or more of the sites / attractions that you mentioned.

EDIT. should you come back to this page, here is the excursion that I have booked for Seoul. It is 6 hours long

Visit delightful Seoul, taking in landmarks such as the memorable Deoksugung Palace and National Museum. Then enjoy shopping in the eclectic Insadong shopping area.

A scenic seventy-minute drive takes you to Seoul, where you will find a diverse blend of modern skyscrapers and superhighways combined with majestic ancient palaces, temples, city gates and gardens.

Visit Deoksugung Palace, the smallest palace in South Korea, and noted for its elegant stone-walled road. Located at the corner of the busiest intersection in downtown Seoul, it is also the only South Korean palace standing alongside Western-styled buildings, which adds to the uniqueness of the scenery.

Make your way to the impressive National Museum of Korea. There are more than 4,500 exhibits housed here that detail Korea's historic and cultural heritage. It is the world's 6th largest museum, and a premiere venue for the nation's cultural exhibits.

You’ll also stop at Insadong, one of Seoul's premiere shopping districts and a virtual living museum. Insadong's narrow streets are lined with antique stores, art galleries, second-hand bookstores, calligraphy shops and quaint teahouses. Enjoy some free time here to browse through the many shops, grab a bite to eat or simply people watch.

Posted by
2583 posts

Hi Barbara N

Should you come back to this page, here is the excursion that NCL is offering having to do with the female divers of Jeju Island.

Womens Divers And Spirited Garden

OVERVIEW
Meet the famed women divers of Jeju Island who descend to staggering depths without oxygen tanks; then stroll the winding paths of the world’s largest bonsai garden. The so-called Mermaids of Jeju reach dizzying depths to gather conch, clams, abalone and other marine life. It’s not so much what they do, but how they do it that is so incredible. The women free dive without oxygen tanks and carry only a pair of goggles, a ball-like tube for balance and a basket for their collected items. The work is perilous, and the divers have become much-admired symbols of female independence and strength. You will also visit the Spirited Garden, a showcase for bonsai trees, many of which are set among black volcanic rocks and marked with plaques that quote Korean poetry. As you stroll through this idyllic setting, you will sense the garden’s intent to promote peace of mind and contemplation.

Posted by
1491 posts

Hi Boston. Thanks for posting the Seoul excursion description. I am learning a lot about cruises from your posts - all new to me as I have never cruised. I appreciate seeing the types of excursions offered. I know I would have trouble choosing!

Just FYI, and I hope I am not over-stepping in mentioning this: the Deoksugung Palace is not one of the impressive palaces. It was close to the hotel where I stayed (twice), so I visited on a couple occasions. It is interesting enough, but for me didn't have the unique "Wow" factor of the larger palaces. However, being compact, the area is easily explored. If the tour happens to be there for a Changing of the Guards Ceremony, I thought the "show" there was preferable to the Changing Ceremony at the larger palace of Gyeongbokgung that is widely advertised. Fewer people and you can stand very close to the guards.

Insadong has a number of arts and crafts and tourist oriented shops. I'm not a shopper, but thought the area "cute". Pleasant to walk.

The National Museum is extensive. Fascinating if you are interested in Korean history from the Stone and Bronze Age forward. Some very interesting displays and explanations of different Korean pottery styles and some other fine art. Ethnological exhibits from other cultures. Caveat - I'm a museum lover - I easily spent 3 - 4 hours on several different ocassions.

I hope you enjoy your trip. Thanks again for sharing the planning process. You are educating me on this method of travel!

Posted by
2583 posts

Hello ORDtraveller

After I read your response and posted my excursion, I watched YouTube videos of Deoksugung Palace and the other palaces. I have to admit that I am disappointed with Deoksugung Palace when compared to the other palaces.

I love museums as well so I am looking forward to the museum.

And I will probably enjoy the market.

The excursion is about 6 hours but that includes driving from the port to Seoul and back again. The description says something about it being 70 minutes each way so we will probably spend about an hour at the Palace and an hour at the museum with like 20 ,minutes at the market.

I know that there were. a few other excursions to Seoul with a visit to one of the more interesting and prettier palaces but one was 8 hours long and I did not know if I wanted to spend 8 hours on my last excursion. We will be leaving the ship at 7 a.m. the next morning to go to the airport for the long trek home. Realistically, I am going to be tired.

But I might go back and look at the others since I found Deoksugung Palace to be a little disappointing when compared to the others in Seoul. If it was the only palace, that would be a different story. Only now am I really investigating some of the excursions. I looked at them but didn't really investigate them. I have 12 ports and I want to do something at every port. I don't want to stay on the ship.

A cruise is not for everyone. Some people love cruising while others hate it but you might want to take. a cruise just to see what it is all about. Take a short one the first time just in case you turn out to. be someone who hates cruising. And if possible, go on one of the high end cruise lines like Viking.

Appreciate your feedback.

Posted by
1491 posts

Boston - Thanks for your kind response. I was afraid I might offend you - this is your trip and your choices after all, not mine! I'm glad you took my thoughts in the "spirit in which they were intended"!! I appreciate your comments on cruising - I am intrigued.

If you do go to the National Museum, I found knowing just a bit, as in a Wiki or AI version of Korean history, to enhance my visit. (if you inclined to some background study) The historical exhibits, if you choose to visit these, are set up by historical period. I found being familiar with names of important eras like the Three Kingdoms period, Silla, and Joseon dynasties made my visit more interesting. Of course, there are so many good exhibits that with a short time, one could probably wander various exhibit rooms quite happily. I'm sure the website has a map and explanation of the collections if like to pre-plan. The place is huge!

Without knowing the other NCL offerings, I can say that there are a number of very fine museums in Seoul. If other museums are offered in excursions that might interest you, you will probably be very pleased with them. For example, some good folk based museums, a museum of recent history with US focus, a military museum.

In addition to Insadong for shops, Bukchon Hanok is a traditional neighborhood, primarily residential. Quite scenic and fascinating although on a steep hill - not as easy to walk as Insadong. I am not a market lover, but Myeongdong Market and Namdaemun Market were the markets most promoted when I was doing my research. I know many enjoy them. I'm mentioning these only because they are major tourist spots and thought they might be available on NCL excursions. All good picks for exploration in my estimation (for whatever that is worth).

Again, best wishes for your trip! Would that we all had unlimited time and resources so we could do it all!!