18 Dec An aborted Hallasan (Yeongsil) hike, Seogwipo Olle Market and public transport day in Seogwipo

The great plan: Another early set off to Hallasan, this time starting from Yeongsil. It will be a tough one so we see how it goes, Then we plan to  replenish the spent calories at Jondi, a local eating place, afterwards a walk at Odolgae, a headland near Bridge. Dinner is planned at Ponsaljib at Seogwipo market but it depends on our energy left for the day.

Alas.

If it were soggy and rainy, we would be able to handle it. But it snowed the entire night. Seogwipo was blanketed in snow, flurries swirling off roofs as the NW wind whips and howls through the city. In between the gloomy weather, there were moments of respite and then it repeats again.

Online friends suggested I don't drive. But we cannot stand the idea of holing up in the hotel room, no matter how nice it is. Our plan was to go Innisfree but the roads were impossible to drive and folks are told to refrain from driving. Using Naver, we got ourselves a taxi to Olle Market for 7000 ￦. He was probably the only one who could swerve through the icy road in Jeju. Pat reminded me to put on my seat belt.

Either Olle Market opens very late or the snow is keeping the market folks at home. However, I made my first purchase; persimmons, dried the way I like it (20000 ￦ ). Further down, I got 2 packs of honey sticks and 2 bags of hallabong jellies (14 000 ￦ ). I have not decided if I should keep it for myself.

We were caught in a sudden heavy snow shower. We made a quick decision to eat in a random place that is already opened, big and visible from the main road. And so we ended up in this cute place that serves fusion food. Pat had pork noodles, I had salmon sashimi avocado bap. The proprietor could not speak English but we communicated fine through Papago app. They were so hospitable, we had a dish of fried chicken and salad, tangerines on the house (24000 ￦ ). We were their first customers perhaps, to deserve such a service. 

The only complain I had is that the customers have to use a public toilet, which Pat says I had better not go. It puts a blight in the whole experience.

We went to Paris Baguette near the roundabout for yuzu tea and coffee. I was so glad PB has facilities for customers to use. Also, PB is the cheapest cafe by far and we were very pleased with the quality of food( 10 000 ￦ , inc a tart )

We topped up our tea break with 2 more buns/croissants to-go (5000 ￦ ) before we left.

We made out way back to Ollemart, hoping to see more life at the market. More life indeed, but we were full and not very impressed with the fare offered. I suggested going to Emart at our place by bus instead of taxi. Pat was cautious but took up my idea. Using Naver, we walked back to PB where we hopped up bus 281 to Seogwipo bus terminal. We paid in cash, 1150 ￦ , as Naver suggested. Helpful passengers confirm that we were on the right bus.

Another storm started when we alight and what better place to be than Emart again! Why is it that our trips to Emart are always so fruitful? I bought a pair of Red Face hiking shoes from the very aggressive sales lady. The shoe fits like a glove, snug and comfortable. That was 118 000 ￦ in cash. Then more muesli bars and heat packs ( 10 000 ￦ ) in the shopping basket to round up the day.

We unloaded our bags in the hotel and lazed around until dinner time. I spotted on Naver a bulgolgi restaurant nearby. We walked up 1 block in the icy slush, could not find it and walked back to where the hotel is. The hiking pants were too thin and we just wanted to get into anywhere warm. Warm it was, in a beef bbq restaurant across the hotel, with brassiere and coals and all in Choigozip. We had Korean beef for the first time. Didn't taste too bad at all, though I am not sure why Korean beef is a big deal. We had a mixed platter, jigae and rice. All very nice, with BBQ service even! 55 000 ￦ for the beef experience; we struck another item off our to-do/to-eat list.

For a day where we did not go far from base, we sure bought lots of stuff. Now where should I pack the food? This, is a really first world problem!

Our groovy move :