Spirited Gardens, Wood Tales and Spirits

I had been longing to get to this botanical garden for at least a year.  I do love botanical gardens and nature trails.  Same for animals, so visiting a local zoo or an aquarium in a new city is always welcomed.  The Yeomiji Botanical Gardens on Jeju Island was a fun visit as was the Seoul Zoo.  Still, my new favorite place to be on Jeju Island, the Spirited Gardens.

Like the name?  I do too and as the name hints, this attraction alludes to more that just plant life.  How?  Hmm.  Let's see.  But first, a few pictures from this amazingly large but serene garden.



Here's how the day went:

Dolharbang Statues (grandfather statues) are everywhere on Jeju Island

A kiss for the grandfathers~

Just after the entrance

Miniature trees line the walkway

A beautiful autumn day for a walk through a garden

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I recognize this tree anywhere, Japanese Maple

One gardener busy tending to the trees

The Bonsai Garden

The Yew Tree 

At many of the plant exhibits I saw, I noticed something marked  "wood tales" that went along with the information provided about the plant.  I really enjoyed these lessons taken from Bum Young Sung's experience with plant life over the years.

"Anything that grows too quickly can easily collapse.  Steady growth based on a solid foundation ensures long-lasting life.  From this tree, we can learn the lesson of laying a solid foundation on a  steady base."   

Bum Young Sung

One of many miniature fruit bearing trees

Asian Pears

Persimmon

A citrus

Beautifully serene

Toward the read of the garden...

Area to sit and listen to the water falling~

There were at least three ponds with the most koi fish I've ever seen in one place.  If you want to feed them, just place your 1,000\ in the designated case and help yourself to the fish food.  By the shiny coats on the carp, I know these fish are well fed.  I ended up feeding these beauties at each of the three ponds I stopped at.

The first pond

The second pond

The third pond

The fourth pond

Named the most beautiful garden in the world by many renowned persons, I can't help but to agree.  Sure, I've been to bigger gardens with more trees and other plant life, but one visit and you'll agree that there is something very spirited about this garden.

Bum Young Sung's vision for this plot of land when he purchased it more than thirty years ago is and incredible feat and I love that he included the lessons he learned from working with trees in the wood tales.

Here's one more...

In human life, only those who prepare well for the future by enduring hardships seem to be able to enjoy the beautiful blooming season of life just like the trees that must withstand the cold winter before sprouting.  It seems that resolutely enduring hardships are a prerequisite to all success and achievements.

Tips:

Are you a foreigner with Jeju Resident ARC?  Present it when purchasing your ticket and get 1,500\ discount.  The cost of admission is 8,500 per person so, that 7,000\. Also, I always, always show my ARC when seeing the sites on Jeju Island, more often than not, I get a discount.

Things to do in the nearby area:

1.  The Glass Castle, 9,000 won
2.  Green Tea Museum (O'Sulloc), free admission
3.  Toy Park, 8,000 won
4.  Jeju Circus World, 12,000 won
5.  Miracle Art Museum, 9,000 won
6.  Jeju Peace Museum, 3,000 won

Getting There:

To get there by car, take the 1135 from Jeju City to the 1116 exit.  Head towards the right.  Pass the Toy Park and the Green Tea Museum.  Make a right after the Green Tea Museum.  Pass the Glass Castle and its a few kilometers ahead on the left.  There are many signs in brown that mark the way.  If traveling by bus from Seogwipo or Jeju City,check the official website, here.