Our plan was to catch a morning flight to Busan, intending to spend one night there and then take the train to Seoul the following day. I was particularly excited about experiencing the train journey to Seoul, reminiscent of the famous “Train to Busan” but in the opposite direction. However, our Busan escapade took an unexpected turn due to the persistently bad weather we had encountered the previous day in Jeju Downtown. The conditions worsened, resulting in the cancellation of not just our flight but all departures from the island, creating a chaotic situation.
With no choice but to check out from our current hotel, which, despite being nice and budget-friendly, posed a challenge with its firm beds, we embarked on a stroll to find a place to eat and strategize our next steps. Along the way, we sought out a store resembling Seven Eleven to purchase plastic ponchos to shield ourselves from the relentless rain and wind. An elderly Korean lady, despite not speaking English, graciously assisted us in donning the ponchos and even fashioned covers for our backpacks.
Eventually, we stumbled upon a restaurant, its bustling atmosphere piquing our interest. Discovering that they only had one item on the menu—a beef stew with noodles—we decided to give it a try. The meal turned out to be amazing, providing a comforting break from the unexpected turn of events. During our time there, we also secured accommodation for the following night by carefully reviewing hotel reviews to ensure a comfortable night’s sleep.
Given the additional day unexpectedly granted in Jeju City, we seized the opportunity to explore the upscale and touristy side of the city: Shin Jeju. This decision proved to be a delightful turn of events, allowing us to make the most of our extended stay on this vibrant island.
We arrived at the hotel, a typical 4-star establishment adhering to international standards. However, the room exceeded expectations—it was spacious, the bed was expansive and exceptionally comfortable. Situated on a high floor, we enjoyed a captivating view. The bathroom, as is common in Korea, featured a toilet seat heater. The hotel’s location proved to be highly convenient, within walking distance to an array of restaurants, shops, and nightlife establishments.
Notably, the area stood out as distinctly different from Jeju Downtown.Driving to the hotel, we could see that the surroundings were more colorful, adorned with vibrant lights, and had a more upscale vibe.
Before heading out, we faced challenges with flight cancellations, causing concerns that we might be stranded on the island. All our booked flights were getting canceled, and the available ones were fully booked. Ultimately, the only available ticket to Seoul was a business class ticket, and surprisingly, it was the most affordable business class fare I had ever come across. It’s worth noting that we had to go straight to Seoul instead of Busan because we had a special dinner booked. I’ll delve into the details of that in a later post. For now, stay tuned for the next post, which will focus on the nightlife in Shin Jeju. It was quite an experience, deserving its own spotlight.
Anyah Mroz 