My Korean Icon Contest - Hey It's Jacque

Photobucket Korea is a peninsula in Far East Asia and it
belongs to the temperate zone with four distinct seasons. It is bordered on
three of its sides by water therefore is rich in marine products, and because
over 70% of the land is a mountainous area, it also produces a vast amount of
herbs, mushrooms and vegetables.

The first thing that
pop in my mind when I heard Korea is 올레길 [ol-le-gil] also known as Jeju Olle
“A walking Vacation in Jeju Island. It is a long-distance footpath
on Jeju Island, an island off the south-west coast of South Korea. For me it’s a priceless chance for anyone, from casual day-hiker to Vibram-encased fitness fanatic, to easily enjoy the often spectacular views that Jeju offers. I am a nature lover since I was a kiddo. Photobucket

Photobucket So based on PSY’S Wiki Korea Dictionary, Olle-gilis a Korea’s Jeju-do Island (Nature Trip) and an eco-friendly road in Jeju, wherein you can able to refresh your body and soul. It reminds me a Korean-English book that I’ve read before where it talks about The Heart of the Korean Identity. These are Gi, Heung and Jeong, simple yet important concepts that can be found throughout Korean culture and society. What are those? Photobucket

Gi (Spirit, energy) flows through all living things, as well as through land, water, and air. It considered the spirit and energy of Korea’s nature. For a traveler looking for some excitement, Jeju Olle is a 101% recommended it such a nice adventure in Korea because the trail have few artificial touches and give you many different views of the exotic volcanic landscape of the island, unique local culture at every turn of daily life, the diving off the haenyo Jeju’s incredibly skilled female drivers with a long history), oreum (Jeju’s volcanic hills), and porous walls of natural basalt bricks. No wonder the Jeju Olle Gil paths have become a must-see (or “must-walk,” you could say) destination for tourists to Jeju.

Heung (Fun, pleasure, joy, excitement) Heung puts the zing and the zest into everyday life. It runs through all of the Korean culture: from the oldest village folk dance to the latest K-pop tunes. While having a walk with your families, friends or loved ones you can put an earphone and listen to your favorite kpop song 😀

Jeong (Affection, warmth, compassion, attachment) it’s a characteristic warmth that touches so many visitors to Korea and often leads to lifelong friendships. If gi embodies Korea’s nature and heung epitomises the Korean Culture, jeong is the defining characteristic of the Korean People. In korea, you’ll feel the warmth and love that flows from person quette.

Ollegil (Olle road) refers to a 12-route walking trail on Jeju Island that is now a popular tourist attraction that attracts not only visitors from mainland South Korea, but also foreigners who enjoy hiking. Photobucket

Here’s the route:

Route 11: Hamo Beach Resort to Mureung 2-ri

Photobucket “Olle” is the Jeju word for the narrow
pathways that snake from streets to the front gates of houses and connect people to the outside
world. The original idea of taking that word and turning it into a world-class
walking trail on the perimeter of Jeju came from Suh Myungsook. As we all
know, Jeju is one of the mainly Korean tourist destination and gained
popularity in the 1970s as a top honeymoon location for newly weds. The mantra of the Jeju Olle Trail is
to walk slowly, enjoying the natural surroundings in order to help calm your
soul and to find inner peace. A majority of the trail paths are based on old
footpath routes between and around neighboring villages, providing the user aMy Korean Icon Contest
connection to the foundation of the Jeju Island people. Photobucket

Ganse Pony

Ganse Pony is the symbol of the jeju olle trail which represents the small ponies that used to roam the island. It originates from an old Jeju dialect meaning slow, lazybones, hence the spirit of walking slow on the trail. These markers are prevalent at major stops along the trail routes and mark how many kilometers the user has walked of the specific route.

Grave Markers of Ancestors

Hospitality and generosity are ascribes of the Jeju people that take pride in. This makes an enjoyable travel experience wherein many sections of the trail routes cross private land; including walking through farmer’s fields of vegetables or an occasional cow or sheep pasture. Grave markers of ancestors also line the trail surrounded by lava rock walls giving the hiker an insight into traditional Jeju life. When a relative passes away, they are buried in their favorite spot on the island, so it is not a surprise that the trail passes by so many of these markers.

The Walking Festival is one way of promoting
eco-friendly of Jeju and sustainable tourism. According to my research there’s a 7,000 people attended the
first festival, with 60% being from the mainland of Korea and 10% being from
other countries while last year 2012, the festival is growing Photobucket

and expanding not
only in Korea but around the world.

Other awesome shots:

You should try to walk in Ollegil when you visit Jeju Island.
It’s gorgeous!

Quotes to share:
The most beautiful path in the world. Gives peace, happiness, and healing to those walking this trail.

Trivia: From times past Jeju’s grandmothers would say to their grandchildren: “Don’t run… walk!” Korea is a fast-living country. School grades, job promotions, bigger houses. Even when exercising and walking you have to do it faster than other people. But going too fast can lead to tripping and falling. So keep in mind and listen to the voices of Jeju’s grandmothers from times past. Photobucket

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