• [Geoje, Yetmasil Pension]A chance to unwind and revive on the beautiful island of Geoje

        • 03/27/2019

          1.7K

  • Korea Travel Qrator

    Angela Davis

    : New Zealand

    A chance to
    unwind and revive
    on the beautiful
    island of Geoje

    November 5, 2018


    #Geoje #Geojeisland #Camelliaisland #travelkorea #geojepension #hanokstay #yetmasil


    * Korea Travel Qrator : A travel expert who explores Korea Quality-certified facilities and conveys the feeling of travel through vivid experience contents.

    01
    Jisimdo Island

    Jisimdo Island in the distance

    Geoje Island is a small island not far to the south of Korea’s second biggest city, Busan. It is connected to the mainland by some fabulous bridges and a tunnel. From Seoul, it’s a bit of a journey, but you will be rewarded with endless ocean vistas, rocky cliffs and stunning mountains. There are several options for getting to Geoje Island, including a combination of the KTX, intercity bus or you can even fly to Gimpo Airport and take a bus from there. Check Naver Maps for the best option for you at the time. Fresh seafood is plentiful given Geoje’s coastal position. From soft shelled crabs, to oysters and octopus, it’s a seafood lover's paradise. Geoje is the place to visit if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It is a place to relax, unwind, feel the wind on your face and the sand between your toes.

    View of Jisimdo Island from the ferry

    Although Geoje is a relatively small island, there is surprisingly a lot to do. One of the best and most unique things to do in Geoje, is to take a ferry boat ride to one of the smaller scenic islands just off the coast. Two of the most popular islands are Oedo Botania Island and Jisimdo Island. If you’re short on time, head to Jisimdo Island. The ferry leaves from the quaint seaside village of Jangseungpohang Port and takes around 20 minutes to reach the island. Ferries run five times a day to and from the island and cost 16,000 won for a return trip.

    Walking path on Jisimdo Island

    Jisimdo Island is also called Camellia Island and is famous for the hundreds of camellia trees that cover the island. Camellias flower in late winter but as they are an evergreen tree, they show off their distinctive vibrant deep green foliage all year round. Once we disembarked the ferry, we wound our way up the side of the island and out to the first viewing area. The route is well set out with frequent signs and maps, so don’t worry about getting lost! Having the chance to get out in nature and explore a secluded island felt like I was experiencing a little bit of paradise in Korea. The views across the Pacific Ocean are simply breathtaking.

    I chose Jisimdo Island for its natural beauty and I was certainly not disappointed. The views, the forest and the bird life were all simply magical.

    But Jisimdo held a little surprise for me. This island had been home to a Japanese Marine’s outpost during World War II. The Japanese had occupied this tiny island and today the remains of observation platforms, a runway, giant cannon emplacements and a fortress can still be seen. A war time flagpole now proudly flies the Korean flag. I found this fascinating and it was another reminder of how Korea’s history has constantly been affected by war. After two hours on the island, I had walked every track and taken in all the beautiful and fascinating sights. There wasn’t time for me to eat on the island as the ferry was about to arrive, but there are several small restaurants and cafes that might just have some of the most stunning views in all of Korea! If you choose a later ferry, you’ll not go away hungry! But I hopped on the ferry and was brought swiftly back to Geoje. Thankfully, there were several seafood restaurants at the small port town, just perfect for restoring my energy after the brisk island walk.

    Heart Hands on the island

    02
    Historic Park of Geoje, P.O.W. Camp

    Entry way to the POW enclosure

    Before I came to Geoje, I wasn’t aware of the rich wartime history there. So I decided to investigate it a little more. From the ferry terminal I jumped in a taxi and headed over to the Heritage Park of Geoje-do P.O.W. Camp.

    A scene inside the diorama depicting life at the POW Camp

    I’m not sure what I was expecting but it wasn’t what I saw. The creators of the park have created life size replicas of many war time and prisoner of war events, buildings and everyday life in a POW camp. I found it a sobering place to visit and I don’t think any other museum I’ve been to has had quite the same effect on me. The life size models and animatronics really show the pain of how life was during certain parts of the war. The park is fairly large and happily you can purchase a ticket that includes a monorail ride. It takes you to the top of the park for views over the POW sight and also over Geoje Island. The entry price is 7,000 won per adult or 14,000 won including the monorail ride. Check out the website www.gmdc.co.kr for seasonal opening times.

    Monument at the POW Camp Park

    A guard tower in the POW Camp Park

    After I left the Hertiage Park of Geojedo POW Camp, I started to walk back to the Intercity Bus terminal. But just across the road, I stumbled across the actual remains of the POW camp. This was such an exciting discovery! If you are interested in the history of the Korean War, this historical site, which is free to look at and walk around, is really very interesting and worth looking out for.

    This is a life size scene of Korean refugees attempting to cross a broken bridge

    I thought Geoje was the perfect spot to visit to feel refreshed and energised. There is a mix of nature, history, stunning views and, of course, a lot of wonderful and delicious seafood to enjoy. I came back feeling inspired and ready to take on the world again!

    03
    Traveler's Room :
    A welcoming cottage overlooking a breathtaking view of the ocean

    Lounge

    You know that feeling when you’ve been stuck in the humdrum of your day to day life for too long. You really need to take a break and get a new perspective on life? On the clear but chilly autumn day I travelled to Geoje, I was feeling a lot like that. My head was full of deadlines and responsibilities. When I arrived at Yetmasil Pension and took in the beautiful surrounding nature and captivating view, it was like a breath of fresh air through my cluttered brain.

    The gorgeous pension is set on top of one of Geoje’s many cliffs overlooking a beautiful bay. The owner, now an old man, has lovingly built and developed a collection of hanok style guesthouses over many years. The owner’s son has now joined his father and to help continue the development and look after visitors as they check-in. Due to his excellent level of English, he was able to help me plan a perfect itinerary for the next day and found departure times for the ferry. He even insisted on driving me to the ferry terminal the next day so I wouldn’t need to find a taxi.

    Viewing deck looking out over the harbour

    Yetmasil Pension, which means ‘The Old House’ is clean and well appointed with a modern bathroom, western style double bed, a kitchen/lounge area with a dining table for six, and a comfortable couch just perfect for curling up with a good book.

    Exterior view of the guesthouse

    The cottage is kept cosy with traditional Korean underfloor heating. There are several quaint handmade swings and seesaws for children, outdoor tables and chairs well positioned for relaxing and several large viewing platforms built to capture the stunning view. These viewing decks, complete with bench seats, are just perfect for contemplating life while you soak in the view.

    From the Intercity Bus Terminal in Geoje, the fastest way to get to Yetmasil is by taxi and it costs around 18,000 won. Alternatively, it is about 50 minutes by bus. It’s true that it’s a bit of a distance, but the feeling of seclusion is worth the journey. Coffee and bagels can be ordered in advance and delivered for breakfast, otherwise bring your own food to prepare in the kitchen or at the barbeque grill outside. It takes about 30 minutes to walk to the many seafood restaurants located at the nearby ferry terminal area. The owner is always happy to call a taxi if you need it.

    I felt so close to nature here and gained a clarity in my thinking that just isn’t possible in the city. My thoughts could wonder as I sat amongst the native trees watching the sun going down over the bay. I’ve dreamed of having a cabin in the woods one day where I can retreat to when I need to reset and refresh. I think Yetmashil comes pretty close to this dream for me.

    Hotel Information
    Hotel Information - Hotel name, Website, Address, Price, Tel, Check in/out
    Hotel name Yetmasil Pension
    Website http://www.sonanggoo.com
    Address 65, Majeon 1-gil, Irun-myeon, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
    Price 130,000 won per night for one person
    Tel (+82) 55-682-2141
    Check in/out 3 PM / 11 AM
    Korea Travel Qrator's Tip

    Make sure you get there in time to watch the sun setting over the bay. It’s magical to sit on one of the majestic viewing decks and see the sky turn orange and pink and finally go dark. The hotel is close to the ferry terminal for boat rides to two of Geoje’s most famous small islands, these are not to be missed! Bring some snacks and drinks because once you are there you may not want to leave! But if you do want to go out, ask the owner to book a taxi for you, he is very happy to do so.

    1. This column was last updated in November 2018, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check details before visiting.

    2. This travelogue is written by Travel Qrator Angela Davis, all contents are opinions based on my own experiences.

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