It's been awhile since I last posted, but that doesn't mean it's because nothing has been happening.  Since I acquired my lovely blue van (name suggestions still being accepted) I've been exploring as much as possible.  We've spent a couple days in the SW side of the island, trying to find some reclusive surf spots, exploring volcanic beaches with small caves.  We've spent a day on the Eastern side of the island checking out scenic cliffs overlooking the blue water and exploring a lagoon and the water-smoothed canyon that leads to it.  It's all just been so incredible.  The natural beauty of this island is stunning, and I don't think I'll ever become tired of it. 

When I explored the beach near Sanbang-san, I was totally enthralled by the different forms of basalt, the little caves and the brown sand.  It was one of the coolest beaches I've ever been to (minus the factory down the shore) and I can't wait to surf there and have bonfires.  In one area, the lava had cooled very slowly, forming these polygonal chairs that almost looked manufactured.  I tried climbing around on some of the cliffs, but it was a little nerve-racking having the sharp and porous rock breaking off in my hand.  There is potential for good bouldering, but I'll have to go back a few times to figure it out. 

On the East side, we made it all the way out to Pyoseon beach, which was probably the longest beach I have seen.  It seemed like there was a quarter mile of sand before you even made it to the water.  No need for beach-renourishment there.  Unfortunately the day was a little over cast, so we couldn't appreciate it as much as we would have had there been sunny skies, but it was still nice to see.  At the canyon, Paul, Cliffton and I spent about 45 minutes throwing rocks at other rocks.  Pretty mature for a bunch of 20-somethings, right?  The way the rock in the canyon flowed looked just like a stone river.  You could see exactly how the river leading from Halla-san had shaped this channel all the way down to the lagoon/inlet.  There'd be some great sloper bouldering there, but the rock is as smooth as glass. 

In other news, I'm FINALLY moving to a new apartment.  I'm getting out of this depressing, tiny, squid-smelling apartment.  I'm moving to Hyorim Sky/Hyolim Sky (I'm not exactly sure how to pronounce it, you know Koreans at that whole L/R pickle).  It has been a 3 month battle in which I finally had to lay out an ultimatum with the directors before I coud get into a new place.  Unfortunately I had been promised one of the beautiful. large apartments on the 7th floor, only to have it mysteriously sold out from under us 9 days before I was supposed to move in.  Of course with my luck, it also happened to be the last of the large apartments available, so instead I'll be moving to one of the medium sized apartments on the 9th floor.  I'm fine with it.  I have some friends on that level, and I think I have a corner apartment, so it'll be pretty nice.  But really, anything is better than this place. 

Tonight I'm going out for Ken's birthday (age withheld) to get some spicy Galbi and then throw some darts.  Should be a good time, although my body still doesn't like to sit on the floor, cross-legged. 

 I think I'm moving tomorrow, so I should have some pics of the new place and the view up by my Monday night.

PS  There's a picture of 'Dexter Rock' on the Pics page.  You'll know it when you see it.

It's about time.  I waited forever to get my new beloved blue van.  Yes, I'm now a van guy.  I purchased a used Kia (it was either a Kia, Daewoo or Hyundai) van for about $1000US so that I could tour the island, and most importantly; haul my boards to the beach.  Paul and Stephen and I headed down to Jungmun Saturday, hoping for some swell based on the wind data, but we were sorely disappointed.  The day wasn't a total bust though, we ended up exploring a little more to the west and seeing stunning Sangbang-san with a possible break in front of it.  (Picture of Sangbang-san included on this page)  I even ventured down a random road (thanks Stephen) that was about 6 inches wider than my van.  Everytime I was thinking about attempting a turnaround in a driveway, I kept being urged on.  So I continued to drive, branches scraping the side of the van, tangerines within arms-reach.  We finally poked out onto a major road, much to my relief.  So after the adventure, we ended up at Gecko's for a burger and fries to make as feel a little better after being denied surf.
Today was a different story.  We decided to give it another shot and drive down to Jungmun around 11am and pray for surf.  Upon arriving, our hearts were collectively pounding.  We'd seen white-water in the harbor, so we knew that there should be some chop building at the beach.  Paul and Stephen jumped out of the van and sprinted to the overlook.  As I parked and got out of the car, I could see them hi-fiving and jumping up and down.  It could only mean one thing; it was time to surf.  They ran back up to the Beast, and we got the boards out, put the fins on, waxed up and climbed into the cold weather gear.  Paul is from Australia, and Stephen has been living in Hawai'i for the past 10 years, so they're both a little spoiled.  The water was a realtively nice 59-60 degrees.  I wore my fullsuit with no booties or gloves and was comfortable the whole time.  Paul definitely got a little chilly towards the end of the session and Stephen didn't stop complaining about it.  I have to give Paul props; it was probably the coldest water he's ever surfed in, and he was only wearing a spring suit.  Stephen on the otherhand is orginially from New York, so he should have known what was going to be coming. 
  Anyway, the surf was running about shoulder high with occasionally larger sets.  The winds were howling offshore, and even in our semi-protected cove, the spray coming off the lip could be blinding.  At Jungmun, the waves break in pretty deep water.  It's super clear here, and I definitely couldn't make out any semblance or resemblance of the bottom.  It was a ridiculously long paddle (Assateague like...) and I actually had to get out, and go closer to the rock point and use the rip to get me out to where I could paddle back into the bowl where the waves were actually hitting.  It was a pretty decent day, although I'm so far from paddle-shape it's embarassing.  We all looked a little rusty out there, but held our own.  The first time I stood up, was like my first time all over again.  I was nervous, I was over-thinking where I was planting my feet, which way I should go on the wave, if I was popping up to early or late, and if I was going to make it.  I made it, and road it for a little bit till it just died on me and I basically walked into the water off my board.  I only got about 5 waves all day because every time a huge set came in, it seemed to be forming further and further out.   It was also pretty draining to paddle for 20 minutes to get out there, and I had little energy to actually paddle for a wave. 
All-in-all it was a good day.  Today was actually the first time I've even touched water in the Pacific (even though this is the where the Yellow Sea and the East Sea meet, it's still part of the Pacific).  It felt so good to get in there, to stand up on a few waves, make a couple turns on the slow waves, and look at the beauty of the basalt cliffs we were facing.  It was probably the most gorgeous surf spot I've ever been in, especially when the little waterfall started flowing from near the Hyatt.  There's another smaller more secluded cove about 400m West of where we surf, but I don't think it breaks as well as our beach.  It is stunning though.  I sit here now, typing, and my heart is racing all over again thinking about surfing.  I know I'll be sore tomorrow, but right now, I'm just ecstatic. 

Today was finally another one of those days that make me so happy to be on Jeju, even though I'd like to have the GOG out here for the surf sessions.