[ad_1]
In my first article about exploring Jeju Island, I introduced up the island’s outdated nickname of Samda-do which alludes to the three most ample issues on the island, Rocks, Wind, and Girls. Effectively, I’m going to be speaking about among the ladies of Jeju Island at the moment. Particularly, the Haenyeo feminine divers of the island. They earn their residing by harvesting the bounty of the ocean round Jeju Island. Thought of by many to be iconic of the island the Haenyeo are recognized for his or her robust will, impartial spirit, and willpower. They’re able to holding their breath for over three minutes at a time and diving all the way down to 30 meters deep (98ft) on the hunt for shellfish. Their common quarry from the ocean are abalone, sea snails, octopus, sea urchins, sea squirts, oysters, sea cucumbers, and numerous edible seaweeds.
Haenyeo historically begin their diving coaching on the age of 11, working the shallows till they achieve extra talent. After about 7 years of coaching, they’re thought-about full-fledged Haenyeo able to diving in deeper waters. An odd factor for a historically Confucian tradition these ladies are the breadwinners of their properties, they’re consultant of the semi-matriarchal household constructions on Jeju Island. Whereas not at all times the case, the Haenyeo are actually celebrated as certainly one of Jeju Island’s biggest cultural treasures, even being added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Checklist in 2016 and the South Korean Intangible Cultural Property Checklist in 2017. However even with that being the case they’re disappearing as time goes on, as of 2014 it was proven that 98% of Haenyeo have been over the age of fifty. Among the oldest Haenyeo are actually effectively into their 80s, nonetheless diving the waters round Jeju Island. For additional information on Haenyeo take a look at this video on them by UNESCO right here.
Okay again from my lesson in regards to the Haenyeo, we’re again to exploring Jeju Island once more. This was the second day of the journey there, the place we have been exploring the south coast of the island. The plan for the day was to begin on the west aspect of the coast then journey east alongside the ocean stopping right here and there at completely different sights and points of interest alongside the best way. We had our sights on visiting among the well-known waterfalls of Jeju Island, Jeongbang Waterfall, Cheonjiyeon Waterfall, and Cheonjeyeon Waterfalls, that are all on the south coast. The unique plan was to cease at Cheonjiyeon Waterfall, however it was simply too crowded as soon as we obtained there. There have been tour buses offloading in addition to only a big procuring plaza filled with those that we didnt actually need to should take care of. So we went 5 minutes down the coast to Jeongbang Waterfall. Whereas it wasn’t empty, there a minimum of weren’t any tour buses at this spot. After we parked we went as much as the ticket sales space and acquired our tickets, 2000 gained ($ 1.53 USD) a bit.
With our tickets in hand, we continued down a number of steps, previous the little retailers in the direction of the sales space on the entrance. From there it’s 130 steps down the aspect of the cliff to the “seaside”. Whereas the steps aren’t too dangerous as a complete a number of are somewhat steep. The steps are additionally lower from the island basalt stone so will be slippery when moist, so do watch out. In case you want a break when taking place or coming again up, there are some viewing platforms which you can take a breather on and in addition take within the view. When you attain the underside of the steps you attain a basalt stone path, additionally slippery when moist, that you simply comply with to the bottom of the waterfall. Whereas strolling alongside this path I seen this tent out on the rocks to our left as we glided by.
I assumed hopefully perhaps they is likely to be Haenyeo promoting their catch and stored going to the waterfall, planning to test it out afterwards. The trail ends with some steps that simply go all the way down to the boulders. It was a bit treacherous with giant gaps within the boulders and rocks that might journey you up simply, and among the rocks have been moist from the spray and mist of the waterfall making them slick. So in the event you go take your time and be deliberate along with your steps, you don’t need to eat shit after which should hobble up 130 steps. It takes a bit to cross the boulders however when you get close to the falls and pool, the wind and mist coming off the falling water really feel superb. We simply took a while to take all the pieces in, and in addition watch different vacationers nearly eat shit on the rocks. Aspect notice, in the event you go down close to the shore you’re going to get splashed and probably soaked by the surf hitting the boulders, which we did see occur to a household as they have been making an attempt to take a photograph.
Now executed with taking within the falls it was time to go again and get a transfer on down the coast. However I wished to take a look at the tent we noticed earlier. Once we walked up we noticed the tubs of dwell seafood, it was a few Haenyeo promoting plates of their contemporary catch. That they had 4 tubs that had dwell abalone, sea cucumber, sea squirts, and turban snails that they’d caught earlier. So with each of us loving seafood needed to get a plate of shellfish sashimi proper on the rocks.
That they had two menu selections, a big plate or a small plate. With each sizes, you decide which shellfish you need they usually lower it up for you contemporary proper there. We obtained the small plate which was 50,000 gained ($38.17 USD). We obtained the abalone, sea cucumber, and turban snails. Presentation of the seafood is easy, a melamine plate with chojang(candy and tangy chili paste) for dipping and contemporary garlic all on high of an aluminum tray with some chopsticks. Truthfully I assumed it was excellent, it lets the seafood converse for itself.
Across the tent, they’d some weighted plastic seats in addition to some huge items of styrofoam for chairs. I grabbed a pair together with a few rocks for a desk to position the tray on. These items was nice, the freshest I’ve ever had. The stuff I’ve had flown in for work on a regular basis, however this was much better than any of that. Value-wise, this was somewhat greater than different issues we’ve had in South Korea however nonetheless much better worth than what you may get within the US. I already know this gained’t be agreeable to most of y’alls palettes, the feel can be offputting to lots of people. However in the event you take into account your self adventurous give it a strive. Additionally in case you have the possibility to eat seafood caught and served by Haenyeo, do it. I don’t need to finish this on a down notice however the Haenyeo are disappearing. They’re ageing out and there isn’t a lot a brand new era coming in to switch those that depart. I couldn’t think about wanting my daughters to have such a troublesome and harmful job, slightly I’d need them to work some other place. So whereas the Haenyeo are nonetheless round take a while and take a look at one thing new in the event you occur to be on Jeju Island.
[ad_2]
