Scootin' round the coast

Today Matt and I decided to go on our second war ride in the South; this time we ventured east, following the coastal trails.

After meeting with "Speed Racer" around noon, we kicked it out of town in high gear on the vista highway. The landscaping around the coast is just remarkable, we spotted many a rich summer retreats with fancy cadillacs in the driveway; palm tree forests, winding roads lined with orange groves, and secret coves with haenyo.

We stopped at this one inlet near Bomok harbour and it was crowded with haenyo.



There were at least a dozen of them just off shore between us and Seopseom island. I've seen them a few times before, but never in action; it was quite interesting. I took a few video clips while Matt laid down for a bit, soaking in the sun. The sea air always feels good, especially after a long week of working in a classroom.



Continuing along the shore, we passed by an even busier cove. We stopped again to take some more pictures and video, this time we got some closeups, as there were a pair of haenyo sorting their catch on the shore.

I didn't notice them at first, so it took me as a bit of a surprise. They didn't seem to mind us, or even notice us, when we stopped in for a few minutes.



We got back on the path and drove through a forest of palm trees. I noticed that there was another island offshore, which had a lighthouse stationed upon it.

After checking my map when I got home, I surmise that it must have been Jigwido island; a place that no one really mentions, and is so small that it probably doesn't even have anything other than the lighthouse, still, I thought I knew about all of Jeju's islets; another mystery solved.



As we were about to head back to Soggy, Matt heard the cry of the Blue Rock Thrush, his spirit guide. Not twenty feet up the road a male and female were both perched on the rocks, engaged in a staring contest of wits. He chirped, she flicked her tail, and they were off in a chase through the woods...how romantic.

It's the season where every living creature is going crazy for love, and we're certainly no exception.



Flowers bloom, birds chirp, bees hum, and we smile. It doesn't get any simpler or better than that. Matt and I got back our scoots and rode off into the horizon of this paradise getaway.