BVP Beach Volley

This weekend was one of the best here on Jeju! I'm really happy I decided to go! Every year at Hamdeok Beach, many different divisions of Jeju Furey teams {beginner to advanced} come together to play in two full days of beach volleyball matches to support a local charity. The weather was positively beautiful, the games were fun, the BBQ was delicious, and best of all, I conquered my deep rooted fear of volleyball!!!! ;) 

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 {^^Sunny Hamdeok Beach, often thought to be the most beautiful beach on Jeju. It's a bit of a drive: an hour and a half from Jeju Global Education City.}

{^^One of the more competitive "A" teams playing. many teams wore creative tees together.}

{Keenan and JungA playing a round of volleyball. Kennan nearly lost a toe colliding with someone. We had to scramble to find a replacement player! Yikes!} 

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{Team Orange Crush on Day 2. We look as tired as we felt!}

{Our other team T-shirts for BVP this year.} 

{Selfie with the Crushers: Rachel, Laura, and I.}

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Teacher's Day :)

Apparently today was Teacher's Day?? As a wonderful reminder {and surprise} our grade one students brought in so many beautiful roses, carnations, and handmade cards. It was a special day for the classroom. Days like today make it all worth it: I love being a teacher! 

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 {Each kiddo brought in one red rose and one carnation for Lisa and I!}

 {The children call me "Ms. H,"to make my name a bit easier, but sometimes they try to spell out the "H": you get "Hach" or "Hatch." Haha!}

 {I think this one had some help from a parent. ^^^}

{Pretty accurate haha ^^!} 

{I love this one. I do feel very "blassed." ;) }

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Few more of Thailand...

Here are a few more last minute pictures from my Thailand vacation! 

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 {Warm shallow waters at Ko Phi Phi Ley.}

 {Maya Bay}

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 {More of the jungle island at Maya Bay.}

 {Swimming and sailing Maya Bay.}

 {This picture needs no real caption. 

Rachel: Looooove me. 

Luke: NOOOOO!}

{Supermodel??}

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{Scoping out the Beach at Maya Bay.}

 {The horrific, humid hike to the lookout point. Smile if you're out of shape...You can't tell from this picture but I was actually grumpier than Luke here. ;) }

{The panoramic view from the Phi Phi Viewpoint of both bays was stunning and well worth it!}

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Banana and Nutella crepes on the beach tasted like a treat from home. Delicious sweets!}

{Lukey and I out to dinner! I love this picture!}

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{One last shot: all together with Raul: our long tail boat captain !}

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Santorini and Beijing: Booked !

Fortunately or me, I am allowed a travel allowance back to my "place of origin" at the end of my contract!  So, I have found a wonderful {creative} way to head back to Boston by way of both China and Greece! I will stop to see the Great Wall of China in Beijing, and then head to Greece to see the Acropolis in Athens and then Santorini (Thira)! Beyond excited!  

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Planning my trip now(s) now, using my trusted Lonely Planet advisors :) : 

For Santorini : http://www.lonelyplanet.com/greece/cyclades/santorini-thira

For China: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/china/beijing/sights

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Greece is taking  bit more planning, but here is what I want to do/see: 

Things to see:

ATHENS

- Athens ½ day tour ($77 USD/person): Acropolis, Parthenon, Temple to Nike http://www.viator.com/tours/Athens/Athens-Half-Day-Sightseeing-Tour/d496-31401

- Acropolis

- The “Venue” Dance Club ?

- Parthenon (same as Acropolis?) -nighttime!

- The Temple of Zeus

-Panathenaic Stadium: first Olympics

- Theatre of Herodes Atticus

-Ancient Agora

- Temple of Hephaestus

SANTORINI

-Ancient Thira

-Ancient Akrotiri

-Wineries tour? http://www.viator.com/tours/Santorini/Santorini-Shore-Excursion-Private-Wine-Tasting-and-Vineyard-Tour/d959-6174PRTJTRWINETASTE (4 hours, sailing tour to wineries, 79 USD/person)

- Sailing? About $40 for a day trip (donkey ride and food not included!)

http://www.santorini-excursions.com/info.php?catid=14

http://www.santorini-sea-excursions.com/en/our-fleet/hermes

FOOD TO EAT:

-Imam (Baked Eggplant in tomato sauce)

-Saganaki (fried cheese)

-Skordalia (garlic dip)

-Lotlita's Gelato

- Loukoumades (sweet honey balls)

- Soulvaki

- Lamb

- Gyros

- Moussaka (eggplant dish)

- Baklava

-FETA :)

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Yay!

First Highlights from Thailand

Many of these pictures are stolen from my beautiful friend, Rachel's blog, but they give a sense of our first moments arriving in Ko Phi Phi!! She is much better at breaking down the phases of our trips and organizing ALL the pictures !

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 {All smiles on the 90 minute ferry from Phuket bound for Ko Phi Phi. The ferry departs from Phuket-Rassada Harbor daily to bring tourists to the island}. 

 {First views of TonSai Bay port on arrival}. 

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{First stroll along the beach at beautiful LoDahLum Bay}.

{This sums up our vacation quite literally: Me being unable to function in the intense humidity, and Rachel feeling just chipper..little sun goddess.}

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{Thai cuisine: fried rice with chicken, mango, carrots, and cashews. This dish was more appetizing before the food poisoning...}. 

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{The bungalows with authentic rooftops and mosquito nets. I loved the nets and want one for my own bed at home! There were several nights when monkeys played on the roof and kept me awake at night}. 

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Cozy!

Jungmun Beach {...and an island of pink kittens}

This weekend was fun and relaxing, and I had the chance to explore more of Jeju: the island I actually live on! Saturday was finally beautiful late Spring weather, and I enjoyed the warm sunshine and waves at nearby Jungmun Beach. Jungmun is a beautiful white sand beach, featuring Jeju-do Island’s contrasting black Hyeonmuam stones and with waves suitable for surfing.

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I also finally decided to see what all the buzz was about at one of my students' favorite local attractions: Hello Kitty Island. Hello Kitty is a familiar face in all of Southeast Asia, and Jeju is no exception, {especially with its eclectic selection of museums- it was really only a matter of time}! The museum was an interactive, realistic-sized dollhouse, where guests could explore and play in Kitty's house. It would have been a dream come true for my younger self. :) 

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 {Entrance to the house/"museum"}

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{The kitchen almost hurts the eyes! It was a blinding Barbie pink. Although, I would like to cook here..}

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{Kitty's adorable bedroom}

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{Kitty's library and study area}

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Other shots: which included a cafe with aptly made cat-faced treats, a "history" of Hello Kitty's changing emblems throughout the years, an observation rooftop patio, and eclectic wall art, among other things. 

     

^^ {Kitty in the 70's and a giant kitty in the bedroom with a few smaller stuffed friends}.

{^^ Scary versions/wall and ceiling art}.

{Kittens from around the world. This one is from the good ole' U.S.A. The balconies of the miniature castle were filled with kitties from all countries}. 

 {Love the "Konglish" sign to the right. To the left is Hello Kitty's froggy friend Keroppi - also a favorite from the original cartoon}. 

 {With a Stone Grandpa, of course}. 

 {Twirling}

 {Tasty treats: "Rare" cheesecake face cakes and a green tea latte}. 

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{It was a fun and interesting, over-the-top visit {not to mention a bit pricey: 12,000 KRW just to enter}, and a world of creativity and wonder for children. I wish I was younger {and in Korea} when this life-sized dollhouse opened :)} 

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{Especially when Kitty makes such a cuddly friend. Beware the gift shop! :)}

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