To the Ends of Korean Land: Tongyeong, Geoje, Somaemuldo, Changwon (3/4) feat. Somaemuldo
For the most adventureous journey of the entire wowkorea 2015 history, we explored an island called Somaemuldo off the southern coast of Geoje island. The ferry ride took about 50min from the port but it was a really good ride cause the weather cleared and the waves weren’t that strong. The ferry that we took was the last boat of the day at 330pm, while the last boat that departs from Somaemuldo back to Geoje island is at 430pm. So if you miss the last boat, you have to wait till the next day to get back to shore!
Seagulls following the ferry hoping that we will throw some food haha
Small island spotted while we were on the ferry
From the map above you can see a bunch of 3 islands, Somaemuldo, the lighthouse island and the slightly bigger island beside Somaemuldo. These 3 islands are known as the Maemuldo islands collectively.
Somaemuldo pension. 010-8845-5377 for enquiries! A fully equipped pension and I think it was the only pension we saw there
The moment we arrived at the island the pension was right in front of the jetty and a short walk up the hill like 2 minutes? We quickly left our bags and started our hike around the island. Since its close to winter now the sun sets really early at around 530pm and we had to get back quickly before it got too dark.
A view of the jetty from the pension’s balcony
Hiking trail! The island you see on the top right hand is where the lighthouse is located at and our final destination!
Somaemuldo lighthouse trail
Honestly when we arrived at the island we noticed that we were probably the only foreigners around AND everyone except us were decked in their hiking attires. Like we were the only ones in our boots and trenches and whatever lol. Personally I don’t exercise much and it was a tiring climb for me but my athletic friends said their muscles were perfectly fine after the hike ha. The trail we took led us to the highest point of the island called Mangtaebong. I just did a search and it says 152m above sea level. Once we reached the top the view was like this:
Lighthouse island at the bottom and the sea was so ever pretty
Not sure if you guys can spot the lighthouse its actually that white thing in the middle on the furthest point of the island from the camera’s view. I kinda got a shock when I realised we had to go all the way down to the lighthouse and climb all the way back up hahaha. If you refer to the trail map on the top there is actually a waterway/path connecting both islands that is blocked by the bushes from my picture here. That path is only open twice a day when the tide is low and the day we went the tide was supposed to rise at 6pm. From the top you can also actually spot outer islands apparently when the weather is good.
Climbing down from Mangtaebong towards the lighthouse
I don’t know if it’s just me but I slipped a couple of times on the rocks so please wear proper climbing shoes here! Even though I was wearing proper shoes lol.
First glimpse of sunset while we were still trying to make our way down
The prettiest sunset ever that day. We were all so sweaty and exhausted but this was so rewarding like the skies were literally crimson purple
Those who made it to the path connecting both islands!
Last glimpse of the sun
I didn’t manage to walk all the way up to where the lighthouse is because the sun already set and we had to go back quickly before it gets too dangerous to trek and the tide was also coming in already. We had to use our flash on our phones while on the way back but we did make it back safely! The hike took us about 2 hours in total but we kinda hiked fast took photos fast and left fast. If you prefer a leisurely hike do it slow and plan enough time to take photos!
Back at the pension we had a bbq feast wahahaha. The pension has the facilities for outdoors BBQ, but you can always request to eat meals prepared by the pension restaurant which is... you guessed it! Seafood!!
Time for some fireworks after dinner. You can see a really cute fluffly white dog who was like barking at us at first cause of the fireworks but eventually played with us hahaha its so freaking cute and smart!
More fireworks~
We were so tired after going to like 3 islands in a day? Everyone just K.O.ed at night and the next morning we woke up to have breakfast at the restaurant right beside the pension. There’s a convienence store here as well. The meals here are quite pricey costing around 12,000won per set so do take note of it! But they are really good like fish for breakfast I could eat it everyday.
Lighthouse restaurant beside the pension
We left the island on the 930am boat after breakfast. How I wished we could stay there forever.
Clear blue skies on the 3rd day of our trip
I love the sea like love love.
Transportation
From Geoje Island, take a ferry from Jeogu Port 저구항 that takes about 40-50min to Somaemuldo. Tickets cost 12,000won one-way. You can book the tickets here in advance but get a local to help cause it’s not available in English.
OR
Take a ferry from Tongyeong ferry terminal that takes about 1 and a half hour to Somaemuldo. Tickets cost 14,500won one-way.
Note: You need a passport/Alien registration card when you take the ferry boat so be sure to have that with you!
Here is the official site of the Maemuldo islands in English. More details like travel tips can be found there.
Somaemuldo and Geoje is definitely somewhere I would like to come again maybe with my family but not that soon since it was quite tiring to travel all the way there. I never thought I would see such sights in Korea and they were so amazing. I love wowkorea for giving me a chance to explore into these areas I never would have if not for such an awesome program.
Click to see the other parts of this trip: 1 Tongyeong/ 2 Geoje Island/ 3 Somaemuldo/ 4 Changwon
