Jessy explores Korea’s Jeju Island

MANILA, Philippines - As the Korea Tourism Organization representative in the Philippines, Jessy Mendiola once again flew to South Korea to explore more of the country.

This is considered Jessy’s second trip to South Korea and this time, the actress explored the island of Jeju — one of the country’s nine provinces. During her four-day stay, Jessy went to the various tourist attractions of Jeju, which is hailed as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

Jessy’s first stop was at the Ice Museum, which houses various ice sculptures on display. Aside from famous Korean structures, there is also an ice sculpture of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Eiffel Tower and Statue of Liberty. Visitors can also make ice sculptures of their own.

On the second day, Jessy went to various places, including joining the Kimyeong Yact Tour. Considered the Ferrari of the Sea, the boat has its own bedroom, kitchen, water marker, satellite TV, wine bar and PC room. One can go dolphin-watching and fishing while aboard in Korea’s first aluminum sailing yacht.

Jessy also stopped by Daheeyon Cave Café (which offers the best Green Tea Latte and Bingsoo or Korean shaved ice) and enjoyed a four-course zip line. She also visited Seongsan llehubong Peak which was formed 5,000 years ago by an underwater eruption on the shallow sea bed.

Next to her itinerary was the Jusangjeolli Peak, a pillar-shaped joint formed by basaltic lava, and Cheonjiyeon Falls, which cascades down a cliff into a 20-meter deep pond.

Jessy went to the Jeju Folk Village Museum which is considered as the island’s main tourist attraction where customs of the old days can be explored. The Folk Village was where popular Koreanovelas like Jewel in the Palace were shot.

On the same day, Jessy also visited the Aqua Plant, the largest aquarium in all of Asia, where she enjoyed the synchronized swimming plus seal and dolphin show.

O’Sulloc Tea Museum and Garden was Jessy’s first stop on her last day on the island. The design of the museum is a giant teacup and the place is also popular for selling an intensely flavorful green tea ice cream.

Jessy had a fun time taking pictures at the Alive Museum (Track Art). There are more than 90 optical illusion drawings in five theme zones: Masterpiece parody zone, aquarium zone, Egypt adventure zone, animal zone and dinosaur zone.

The actress also enjoyed the Teddy Bear Museum a lot, which has been well-loved by visitors since it was introduced years ago. The museum also houses the most expensive teddy bear: The Louis Vuitton teddy bear worth $230,000.

Jessy also saw the Believe it Or Not Museum, which has 12 galleries of all sorts of bizarre stuff and strange stories from around the world as collected by Robert Ripley.

Lastly, Jessy trekked to the Sanbangsan Mountain. As the name “sabang” — literally meaning “a cave inside a mountain” — suggests, the mountain contains a cave, which is located about 150m above sea level and has a spectacular view over the ocean.

Watch Jessy’s adventures in two consecutive episodes of ABS-CBN’s Matanglawin starting tomorrow, June 15.