Jeju Experience

One of the best ways to beat the summer heat is to resort to nature. And where else can you find nature at its best than Jeju Island. Imagine this: an amazing island, tropical weather, no cares in the world, an open mind, for a week. Popularly know as the “Hawaii of Korea, me and my husband set out to discover if Jeju stays true to the hype. You can get to Jeju either by ferry or by Air. If you choose to go by ferry there are various terminals to board from like Busan, Yeosu and Mokpo. We started our trip with a long bus ride to Mokpo followed by a mystic ferry trip to our holiday destination.

The ideal way to see all that Jeju Island has to offer is to drive along its coastal highway. With views of the deep blue sea and black basalt cliffs, a leisurely drive is the highlight of the trip. Whether you choose a luxurious Jeju tour by car or a budget tour by bike, it is all about enjoying the natural beauty of the coastline. Both have their positives: Cruising around in a car and sightseeing in style guarantees comfort with ease, while riding around on a bike is a fun-filled, youthful way to explore places where a luxury car cannot gain access.

Jeju is abundant with scenic spots and the main cluster is around Sagwipo-Si, South Jeju which offers many cheap motels and Inn’s, offering a decent place at around 20, 000 to 30,000 won per night. We stayed in a small motel called Jeju Hiking Inn. In addition to a Korean traditional room, we had access to free internet, laundry and a common cooking area. But do not expect much help from the Inn owner who prefers to mumble and crib when it comes to information to tour Jeju or any sort of help. We hired a bike for 25, 000 Won per day as it seemed a cheap and fun-filled way to start our tour. There are many places to rent a car in Jeju, but the options are limited when it comes to renting a bike and the cluster of bike shops are found in and around Sagwipo area.

We start by visiting the nearby Cheonjiyeon and Cheonjeyoen Falls. Though they sound similar they have two different scenic pictures to offer. We were much impressed by Chonjeyoen falls though, mainly because it provides a small walk through the lovely woods that looks more like a scene out of movies. The Teddy Bear museum has an impressive collection of our favorite Bear dressed up in all personalities you can think of. It is cute but gets a bit boring. Dragon head cliff or Youngdulam Rock and Jungmun Beach are a paradise for nature lovers and we were right on time to see the sunset at Oedolgae Rock. For adventure seekers, Jungum Resort offers a variety of water sports like Paragliding, jet boat ride, Scuba Diving, Banana rides, penguin show and submarine tour.

Jeju was once a volcanic island. Owing to this fact, stone is an important material and many stone statues and figures are found all over the island. Often, they are meant to protect the islanders or pay tribute to ancestors. To learn more, we decided to visit Mokseogwon, a stone museum followed by Gwandeokjeong, historically a Joseon Dynasty provincial government complex. If you find this too boring then you can head to the Museum of Sex and Education with topics ranging from Sex education to techniques, but sad it is all in Korean and for the huge entrance fee it is a big disappointment. If you are touring with kids then the Sex Museum is a bad idea. Instead you can head to Mini Theme Park, Chocolate Museum and Hallim Park. One spot that we marveled at was Jeongbang Falls which claims to fall directly into the ocean. I would truly say it was worth the walk to the falls.

Day three starts with a visit to one of the famous craters on the island, Sangumburi Crater followed by Ilchunbong, a must see for nature lovers. But plan ahead and start early as to take in the view you need to trek for two hours. The same goes with Udo Island, a famous sunrise point, but you need to start very early to see the sunrise or you might land up baking in the sun. Manjanggul Cave is a lava tube tunnel which can get pretty cold inside. Be prepared for the difference in temperature and for the weird shaped stalagmites. A wonderful experience on the whole to see people preserving nature.

Mt. Hallim, the highest mountain in South Korean territory is the main tourist attraction of Jeju, but we decide to skip it as we are not the most adventurous types. We do not go to the top because it's getting on in the day, but we do visit the Mysterious Road. This is a place where cars in neutral appear to go up a hill. It’s an optical illusion that is very mysterious indeed! And the roads surrounding the mountain give you the true pleasure of driving amidst the dense forest and the cool breeze. It is a true encounter with nature at its best at all seasons.

A piece of advice for tourist, you can get discount coupons on arrival at the Airport with prior booking. It offers 40% discount to most tourist destinations and proves light on the purse.

After a week of moksha, we leave Jeju with pleasant memories. A packed week, mixing sightseeing, sports, culture, art, live entertainment, museums, history, and shopping among other things: in sum, my ideal vacation! Bliss!

Self Defense for Women

According to research, 1.5 Lac crimes against women are registered annually in India, out of which half are sexual exploitation. Of the registered lot only 2 out of 100 are convicted. There is no actual data available on the number of rapes occurring in the nation, credit to the fact that majority of them get buried unreported pertaining to the family and societal fear. Though many cases have seen quick trials in recent times, a vast majority gets lost among the dusty files or overplayed by the media.

In the fast paced world, it’s next to impossible for women to be too careful or too well-versed about self defense. Every piece of information gives you a bonus point in surviving an attack and moreover gives you the confidence that you are much safer and better equipped to deal with an intruder. There are even things you can do to deter potential attackers. You have the power, the right and the responsibility to keep yourself safe.

Learn basics.

One of the best ways to learn self defense is to take a class where you can learn and practice actual techniques from the experts. The instructors of good self defense classes are trained to help you gain a greater sense of control over your own safety, enhancing your confidence coupled with practice sessions. A comprehensive self defense class will teach you to think effectively on your feet, which is a vital component of any approach to female self defense.

Trust your intuition.

Trust your instincts even though you might look paranoid to others. If you’re getting a strong signal from your gut that something about a situation makes you uncomfortable or afraid, don’t second-guess that message. An intuitive red flag is often the first indicator that you may be unsafe.

Be aware.

No matter where your day takes you, it’s important to stay conscious of what’s happening around you. When walking to your car alone, for example, hold your head high and scan your surroundings as you walk. Be aware of the people around you, as well as places where potential attackers could hide. Identify safe places and avenues of escape wherever you are.

Think in terms of prevention.

Dark, isolated, compartmentalized spaces are areas where danger is increased, so don’t be alone in areas like this. As an example, if you are leaving a building and making your way to your vehicle and feel unsafe don’t hesitate to ask for help. Ask a member of the building’s security staff to escort you to your car. Remember that you are not troubling them or being paranoid. It is their job to keep you safe.

Protect your valuables.

If you know you’re going to be spending a lot of time in public, like walking in a downtown area or using public transportation, prepare appropriately. Don’t wear expensive, eye-catching jewelry or carry valuable electronics (such as laptops and MP3 players) in plain sight. When you purchase something, secure your wallet before walking away from the register. Indian women often use jewelry as a status symbol. But not anymore. The more you display, the greater your chances of being targeted.

Lock your house and car.

Never leave your car door unlocked, even if you’re just hopping out to return a movie ticket or grab your dry cleaning. Hiding in someone’s car is a technique frequently used by violent criminals. Always check your vehicle before entering it. The same goes for leaving your home unlocked, even if it’s just for a minute or two. Sex offenders in particular will do whatever they can to get you alone in a secure, private space.

Do not multitask on the street.

Talking on your cell phone indicates to a potential attacker that you are distracted, that your attention is at least partially focused on your conversation, therefore making you easier to sneak up on. Reports suggest that more attacks are committed on women talking on cell phones or carrying a lot of bags or packages. A woman wearing her hair in a ponytail is also an attractive target because the attacker can easily grab her by the hair, causing pain and catching her off guard.

Carry a simple weapon

It’s always smart to carry pepper spray in your handbag or on your keychain. A simple umbrella or handbag often proves as an effective weapon. In most cases, keys are used as a simple tool to attack the intruder. Hard, dense objects like coins, powder compacts and cell phones can be used to throw or bludgeon. Sharp objects you can use to stab and scrape are extremely useful and damaging – look for things like pens, pencils, knitting needles, keys and hair brushes.

Be resourceful.

You may not have time to find a personal self defense item in your purse or car, but you can use the same principles to use items in your vicinity. A handful of dirt, sand or gravel thrown into your opponent’s face can sting his eyes and render him temporarily blind, giving you a chance to get away. You can strike him with a rock, brick, ashtray, bottle or glass. If it’s hard or sharp and you can pick it up, chances are you can use it to strike, scratch, stab or throw.

Use your environment.

When an actual physical attack ensues, there are no rules about right or wrong ways to get out of the situation. Staying alive and getting away are the only real goals. He may or may not end up injured and he may or may not be apprehended, but the only thing that truly matters is that you get out of there alive. Location is the first aspect of environment to consider. Do everything you can to stay in a public or semi-public location. If it appears that your attacker is trying to get you into a car to take you to a more remote area, focus your efforts on staying out of the car, disabling the car or interfering with his ability to operate the vehicle. Your chances for survival are much greater if your opponent can’t get you alone.

Use all your powers.

Yelling, screaming, kicking, punching and biting are all advisable. Show your opponent that you will use everything at your disposal, including all your physical strength, to keep him from harming you. For most criminals, a target that fights back relentlessly becomes less and less worth the effort and risk. Your attacker’s eyes, nose, solar plexus and genitals are particularly sensitive areas where not much force is required to cause him a great deal of pain and distraction.

While being attacked is never the victim’s fault, there are things women can do to reduce their chances of being the next victim. Violent crime against women is a fact of life in today’s world. Regardless of why these crimes occur and what happens to the criminals who are actually apprehended, women have an obligation to themselves to own their power and learn about self defense.