From candle-making to tangerine-cooking classes, such experiences on the isle in Korea offer Hanna Hussein fun ways to spend time in inclement weather
JEJU Island in Korea is a picturesque island with lots of scenic places to visit. The oval-shaped island that is 73km from east to west and 31km from north to south in the southwest of the Korean peninsular is warmer in the winter than other regions in the country.
The best time to visit is from November to February when precipitation is low. The weather is cool and dry during this time of the year, perfect for explore and participate in outdoor activities. However, if you encounter bad weather in Jeju, and you have to be indoors, Jeju also has many activities.
On an AirAsia X trip to explore the island, we expect unfavourable weather, but we go prepared with a list of things to do.
DIY SEA-CANDLE
One way to spend your afternoon indoors on the island is to join a Jeju-bada (Jeju Sea) candle-making class, one of the most popular activities.
We head to Jeju Pureonbada Candle, a small cafe-shop selling handmade souvenirs including cute candles, soaps and terrariums. Here, you can make your own Jeju-bada candle! The host will teach you how to DIY your own candle using natural items such as seashells, dry flowers, stones and more.
We are provided with a small glass-jar which we have to first fill it with 1.5cm of sand to create the seabed base. Then, with a tweezer, select the displays and design your dreamlike Jeju-bada. Oh, I find this activity so relaxing!
After finishing the design, we pour the wax. There are many types of wax such as soy, palm, bees as well as gel wax which is what we use. For the base, we pour in transparent wax about quarter height — make sure to pour it gently, and rotate the jar to ensure your creation stays put.
The jar is then filled with coloured wax — you can either choose the blue with lavender scent or green with forest scent. Beginners will probably see little bubbles in the wax but don’t worry, you can use a heat gun to make the bubble dissolve.
The price for the activity is 30,000 Korean Won (RM110).
FOOT-BATH EXPERIENCE
Jeju Herb Dongsan is a beautiful herbal garden in Pyoseon on the east side of the island.
You can enjoy an indoor garden where herbs grow throughout the year, and there are also a rosemary square and a windmill observatory. There are more than 150 kinds of herbs and wild flowers in the park, and it can take half a day to explore the area.
If you’re up for a pampering time, head inside and experience the aroma foot spa. This is not the ordinary pedicure spa like in a nail spa, but more like a session on how to pamper your feet.
Inside the foot spa hall, there are rows of golden foot baths. Some are already filled with hot water, ready for us. A host gives a step-by-step guide.
I slowly dip both my feet in the pink lukewarm water. The colour is the effect of rose sulphur powder which can help relieve fungus and is good for skin regeneration.
I feel the heat coming from the feet, and it’s so relaxing. After five minutes, a few drops of undiluted extract of peppermint essential oil are added to the water. The smell of the refreshing peppermint is really strong so we are asked to do a simple breathing exercise to make us
more relaxed.
We then continue with scrub using rose-scented salt which is baked three times with jojoba oil and rose oil. We gently exfoliate the dead skin on our feet and hands.
Meanwhile, a therapist applies peppermint oil on our neck. The coil peppermint menthol relaxes tense muscles and eases headaches. Lastly, the therapist sprays rosemary floral water on the face, which relieves stress.
The DIY foot-bath takes 20 minutes and costs 12,000 Won. After the spa, you can head to Cafe Botanika and eat the aromatic rosemary ice cream (4,000 Won). There are many natural products for sale.
COOKING CLASS
Here in Jeju, there are a few variants of tangerine fruits all year round, and tangerine orchards are open for visits.
This sweet citrus fruit contains a treasure of vitamins — 100g of tangerines contains 36mg of vitamin C, and it is the only fruit that possesses a natural bioflavonoid, Hesperidin, also known as vitamin P which helps recovery from conditions such as stroke and hypertension, and stimulates blood circulation.
Various products have been developed using tangerines such as chocolate, ice cream, perfume and more, and we visit Hahyo Salon to make our own products using fresh tangerines.
We learn two recipes, starting with tangerine cheese tart. The ingredients are already set out on each cooking station.
Well, it’s a simple recipe using only cream cheese, pure cream, sugar, egg and tangerine jam. We mix all the ingredients and then we put them on top of pastry shells already prepared by the host.
While waiting for the tarts to bake, we learn the second recipe — tangerine tea. There are only three ingredients — green tangerine, lemon and brown sugar with a bit of salt. The green tangerine is higher in vitamin C (harvested in mid August and September, or it will turn yellow).
We cut the fruits into slices - not too thick and not too thin.Then layer the three ingredients in a jar. But, you can’t immediately drink it. Let it set for three days at room temperature, and you’ll get a thick cordial. Mix it with hot or cold water to drink it.
We then decorate our baked cheese tart with fresh tangerine and berries. The tarts are best eaten when freshly baked. Before we head out, we have a delicious lunch at the cafe.
ALL ABOUT ARTS
If you are into the arts, do check out two of Jeju’s art museums.
The Bunker De Lumieres is a secret bunker in Seongsan, Seogwipo which once housed old national communication facilities and had remained unknown to the public for a very long time. The large structure of reinforced concrete covers 3,000 sq m, which is bigger than half of a soccer field. It is covered with soil and trees, and the facade is disguised to look like the foot of a mountain.
It is a single story building with 27 pillars which add to the sense of depth in the space. Inside there are a natural air circulation system that keeps the indoor temperature at a pleasant 16˚C and the perfect soundproof system, making it a perfect place for exhibition.
Today, it is reborn as a media art exhibition hall featuring the Art and Music Immersive Experience (Amiex) developed since 2009 by Culturespaces, a company playing a unique role in cultural heritage and art space management in France which introduced Carrieres de Lumieres in Baux de Provence in South France as well as Atelier des Lumieres in Paris.
Bunker De Lumieres, which opened this month, is the first outside France, and here you can be inspired by famous artists such as Klimt and Hundertwasser.
The moment visitors enter the hall, they are surrounded by dozens of beam projectors and speakers — visitors freely cross the space whenever they want and experience being one with the masterpiece.
Each show lasts 10 to 30 minutes and you can just sit anywhere and admire the art show, or pose for your Instagram every time the art background changes!
Another interesting museum is Bonte Museum at Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo. The museum was founded in 2012 and it seeks to share the beauty of Korea’s traditional culture. Designed by world renowned architect Tadao Ando, the museum embodies tradition and modernity.
There are five galleries to explore which showcase Buddhist art, funeral rites of Korea, modern art as well as traditional art. Don’t miss Gallery Three which showcases Yayoi Kusama’s most recognised works —Infinity Mirrored Room and Pumpkin!
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