Commemorating 10 Years: A Special Trip to Jeju Island
It may not seem like it, but a decade is a long time. By the time a decade goes by, a lot of things can happen. Civilizations can rise and fall, superpowers collapse, and economies crumble. In today’s work culture, working for a single company for 10 years is rare. This is especially the case for Millennials who are known as the job-hopping generation.
Because of this, working for a single company for a decade is quite special. Glophics understands how important this milestone is and provides those employees with an experience that they will never forget.
For working with Glopics for a decade, Mr. Edgardo Enot (General Manager), Ms. Marichu Alipar (Manager), and Ms. Archel Lagenio (Sales Supervisor) was given an all-expenses paid trip to Jeju Island in South Korea from April 6 to 9, 2023. Jeju Island is one of the most popular holiday spots in South Korea, being visited by thousands of international and domestic guests year-round. The trip was for 4 days and nights in the wonderful Hotel Jeju, a four-star hotel.
Of course, the entire trip was planned out. An itinerary was made to make everything smoother during the trip. Tour leader Andrew along with the tour guide Chong Kang. With them, the trip became a breeze.
First Day of The Trip
On the first day, the tour group met up with the local guides at the Jeju International Airport. After they had dinner, the tour group went to the hotel to check in and take a rest from the long journey.
Second Day of The Trip
The second day began with the tour group with breakfast. After eating their fill, the activities began. The first stop was the cosmetics shop. South Korea is rather famous for the skincare products they produce. It is no surprise that the tour group wouldn’t miss the opportunity to purchase quality products at quality prices.
Afterward, the tour group went off to visit Yongduam Rock. According to a local legend, this rock formation is said to be an ambitious dragon, turned to stone by one of the mountain gods of the island for daring to attempt to ascend to heaven. After watching the dragon writhing in the sun, the group moved on to Camellia Hill, a charming garden in Jeju’s paradise.
Next on the list was the Joanne Bear Museum. This museum features teddy bears hand-sewn by a world-famous teddy bear artist. The crew then traveled to one of the most famous spots on Jeju Island, the Cheonjeyeon Waterfalls. The name translates to Pond of the Emperor of Heaven, referring to a Korean legend of seven nymphs who would descend from heaven to bathe in the waterfall’s pond. The tour group marvels at the beauty of the pond before heading off to their next destination, the Saeyongngo Bride.
Inspired by Jeju’s traditional long boat, the Tewu, the Saeyeongyo Bridge was opened in 2009. It connects the city of Seogwipo and Bird’s Island, allowing people easy access. The final place to visit for the day was the O’sulloc Tea Museum. Here, the group can finally relax from all the hustle and bustle and enjoy tea with snacks.
Third-Day of the Tour
After enjoying another round of the hotel’s delicious breakfast and a visit to the cosmetic shop, the team was off. The first stop of the day was the Eco Land Theme Park.
The team stepped foot on the Lincoln Locomotive, a small train handmade in England with the 1800’s Baldwin as the model. On the ride, the team was able to enjoy the greatness of nature. They saw all kinds of insects, animals, and plants that dwelled in Gotjawal’s virgin forest.
Next up is the Seongeup Folk Village. This village is located at the foot of Halla Mountain on Jeju Island. The residents of this cultural village have ties to this place dating back to the 15th century. The cultural properties have been passed down from generation to generation, along with other buildings like shrines, schools, government buildings, and ruins.
The team learned about the villagers’ customs and way of life. Even the trees found in this little hamlet are more than a hundred years old. On this day, the team witnessed one of the unique cultures found on Jeju Island.
After traveling to the mountains of Jeju Island, the team’s next stop was the sea. They headed to the coast of Seopjikoji. This iconic location has been the setting for many famous Korean dramas like All In.
The final destination for the day is what is one of the top locations for both tourists and locals alike: The Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak. Millions of tourists, like our team, climb to the top to witness the breathtaking panoramic view of the Island. This location is a protected area and is a source of pride for both the locals and citizens of South Korea.
After the fun, the team heads back to the hotel for some rest.
The Final Day
After breakfast, the team visits the ginseng center and duty-free to do some shopping. Afterward, they try their hand at making kimchi and wearing hanbok, getting to experience some South Korean culture firsthand.
Next, they visit the Folklore and Natural Museum. Here, the team learns all about the different folklore surrounding the Island. The final destination for the entire trip is Dongmun Traditional Market. Here, they can find premium and authentic Jeju food items. Not only that, but the prices are great and affordable.
The day ends with the team heading back to the airport for their trip back to the Philippines.
This trip was a wonderful gift given by Glophics to employees who built the company into a leader in the industry. We look forward to providing more and more employees with the chance to visit the wonderful land of South Korea! Who knows? We may even offer trips to other parts of the world for the next batch of employees who manage to reach the incredible milestone of 10 years. Look forward to other blogs as well!