Saturday 13 July 2019

[Geoje] - Haegeumgang Island (거제도 해금강)

I was mesmerized by the beauty of Oedo Botania from popular Korean drama "Winter Sonata" where Lee Min-hyung lives in isolation at the Lee House after going blind, and where Jung Yoo-Jin  finds him in final episode 20 and reunites with a kiss. This place appears on several occasions in drama "Hospital Ship."

However, it's not easy to go around if there's no transportation. Was so excited to find Geoje City Tour, which the itinerary was awesome because it's included Haegumgang and others must-visit places in Geoje.

There's a bit problem because they need Korean Credit Card for the payment. We managed to secure 2 seats and will make payment on the day thanks to Geoje Facebook page.

Afraid that we'll miss the tour like what happen on our Tongyeong Tour, we woke up early although our heads still heavy though not spinning as the night before.

 
In Koran drama, people usually drink hangover solution after consumed alcohol.

So, I also bought it at bus terminal to ease my after-effects after drinking about 2 bottles or more of soju because we'd party with guesthouse' owner and other guests.

i vomited after drank the solution, not sure why but at least I felt a bit better after that. Maybe my brain thought it's soju and force me to throw it out as I had too much~!

 
The bus was already parking at waiting point opposite Gohyeon Bus Terminal.

  
It's easy to spot it because the bus was fun decorated with 
bright colorful wordings of Geoje Blue City Tour.

Mr Kim was the guide of the day because he's usually appointed to the tour with foreigner tourists. I think because he can communicate in English so he can explain in details of the places of interests. He's nice and very experience. He welcomed and greeted us and told us he's expecting us. He passed us to the brochure with the itinerary of the tour.

We went to another pick-up point, then we stopped at the ferry terminal.
We bought the ticket for ferry & admission

Haegeumgang is one of the best sights in Geojedo Island.

This rocky island original name was Galgotdo, because it is shaped like 
the spreading roots of arrowroot. Now it's known as Haegeumgang
of the Sea because it looks like Mountain Geumgang.

It's designated as scenic spot no.2 in 1971 and also 
assigned as an official green area in South Korea. 

  
The main highlight is this Crucifix Cave (십자동굴).

Only small ship can enter this narrow cross-shaped cave
which is in the middle of four large rocky islands.

According to our guide, we're quite lucky because the weather is good, 
no strong wind and big waves that might cause the ship to collide with the rocks. 
In average only 5 - 7 days in a month that the ship can sail in.

Kinda sad because we couldn't see the cross-shape because the ship just went in 
half way and we didn't stood at the front of the ship.

You can find many others unique shapes of rocks like this one... Lion Rock.

The best sunrise and sunset can be viewed between
Lion Rock and the other rock beside it.

Candlestick rock.

This rocky island used to be covered  with local herbs, which said that
Seo Bul visited the island in search of herbs of immortality for the Emperor of China.


This 1,300 year old pine tree standing tall on top of the rock...


guarding this Haegeumgang River

Oh yeah... you can see a lot of Barnacles on the rock!!!
(Video 2:35)




You really need to come here and witness the beauty of
Haegumgang with you own eyes...

 
It's really spectacular scenery!

 
Add: San 1, Galgot-ri, Nambu-myeon, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
경상남도 거제시 남부면 갈곶리 산 1