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¡ã Get a warm welcome from a Jeju grandma. Photo courtesy Jeju Olle Foundation |
Despite the almost 2,500 accommodations in Jeju, it is still difficult to get a taste of the rural heart of the island.
Highrise hotels are going up every day, but although they bring more people in, they also take us all further away.
Rather than somewhere just to dump bags and spend the night, many visitors would rather exchange an “Annyeong hemsugwa?” with a local and share a mandarin.
If this sounds like you, then there are a couple of options that will be right up your Olle.
*Prices are only intended as a guide.
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¡ã Photo courtesy Jeju Olle Foundation |
Olle Grandma Homestay
The Olle homestay dates back to 2009 after Olle walkers, Olle “kkun,” sought more places to stay on the trail.
The Jeju Olle Foundation has now teamed up with nine village grandmas, or halmang, who wanted to open their homes to the Olle spirit and earn some extra income.
Not only do Olle walkers get bed and board for a fair fee, but they share stories with the best storyteller in the village!
The women are happy to treat guests as one of the family and will even serve fresh vegetables from the garden, and seafood caught in the seas!
This is a unique chance to sit down with a Jeju halmang, and even a haenyeo, and share a meal and shelter.
Price range: 20-30,000 won
Breakfast: 5,000 won
For more information visit blog.naver.com/ollegrandma or contact MJ Park at Jeju Olle: 010-3799-7585 / mj.park@jejuolle.org.
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¡ã Jeju Geo-Houses are located along Jeju Geo-Trails. Photo courtesy Jeju Global Geopark |
Geopark Geo-Houses
Geo-Houses are not personal homes but pensions and guesthouses with geological themes. There are now 11 of them across the island with more being added all the time.
The Geo-Houses aim to ensure the local community is fully engaged with the Jeju Geopark and increase the local benefits of increasing visitors.
The owners of these conventional owner-occupier guesthouses or self-catering “pensions” are also very willing to share stories just like the Olle grandmas.
In fact, that is one of their key functions as they help travelers interact with villagers and learn the local heritage associated with the Geo-Trails and other Geo-related projects.
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¡ã Photo courtesy Jeju Global Geopark |
Whereas the Olle Grandma Homestay is much more rustic, you can expect all of the conveniences of a guesthouse in these well-equipped accommodations.
Price range: 40-60,000 won
Breakfast: 10,000 won
For more information visit jejugeopark.com/english or contact Jeju Tourism Organization: 010-3799-7585 |