Day 3: The Satisfying Olle Passport

Gimnyeoung Beach to Jondal

Distance: 27km

After a good night's sleep, I wake up to a peculiar sky. It looks like rain. The air smells like rain.

Yet, I get up, pack my tent, drink my coffee and hit the trail. A trail with an attractive beginning - thru dunes and over volcanic rock formations. Eventually, it's back to take usual road walk. Grey sky and also less colors along the trail compared to yesterday. In fact, everything looks slightly grim. The  Wind in my face and the noisy wind turbines don't help. At least it doesn't rain. And once I approach first stamping post, the weather and with it my mood also improve. 

Stamping my Olle Passport is oddly satisfying. Such a simple thing but such a wonderful idea. 3 stamping posts per route. At the beginning, halfway and at the end. Completing a rout and filling the page gives a feeling of accomplishment. Moreover, there is always a short description of the route in the passport. Interesting and helpful - today it was spot on.

I keep on going. At the end of the route, I once more stamp my passport and have a lovely chat with the lady at the Jeju Olle Trail Information Center. Another fantastic thing, located at the trail terminus/head. She offers me a banana juice and soon after, I am on my way again. 

Just a couple of minutes later, I meet Mr. Cho from Seoul. A section walker. Together we walk most of the remaining 10 kilometers of Route 21, during which I learn plenty of interesting stuff about the island. After climbing a 410m high hill, it's time to say goodbye. Another great trail experience. I'm starving and head straight for a noodle restaurant. 

Well fed, I look for a place to pitch my tent. The sky turned dark again and the wind makes being outside uncomfortable. So I am not to picky and pitch my tent just south of Jondal behind some bushes, overlooking Udo. The island I am heading to tomorrow.

I finish my day with an OSM bar, kindly safeguarded and gifted by Maria. Now, typing these lines, the rain finally started. The forecast is not looking promising. At least until tomorrow afternoon. Can't change the weather. I just hope I can stamp my passport despite the rain.