For the last 2 years, people weren't able to take a trip abroad due to Covid-19. According to various data, it is true that the ratio of domestic trips has increased. I also only traveled domestically during this time. As a part of this event, I visited Ulleung-do solely to see Dok-do through my own eyes. Although I drifted a day more than I planned since the weather turned wild, it was worth the trip. What can you do if you have a similar case and are trapped in Ulleung-do? I'd like to introduce the attractions which I enjoyed at that time.

1. Nari Basin

Nari Basin lies at the north side of the island. We are anly allowed to enter this place by a single, narrow path through the rough mountain by bus No.4 from Cheonbu. It takes about 20 minutes to get Nari Basin. Though it was early March, snow still remained in its place over the caldera. The scenery of high white peaks was enough to make me fell respectful for mother nature. Literally, there was nothing except me and endless snow. It was nothing like any other site I've experienced. It was quite and still.

2. Gwaneum-do

Gwaneum-do is on the north-east side of the island. Since it;s in the middle of the way between Cheonbu and Dodong, It's easy to get there by any kind of transportation. Gwaneum-do is linked to Ulleung-do via a bridge about 50m in length. The island is so tiny that you can cover all the sites in inly 30 minutes. It felt different compared to Ulleung-do, like it remained its own ecosystem. Facing the tough sea breeze on the end of the steep edge of the island, it intensified the solenss which comes from the boundless sea.

3. Dok-do Observatory

I could get to Dok-do Observatory by cable car in Dodong, but by the time I arrived the wind was so tough that the cable car wasn't permitted to operate. I had no choice but to get there by foot. It took 30 minutes to get to the observatory. The rough and steep unpaved path made it more complicated to climb, but it also made it more challenging. In the observatory, you are able to see all the scenery of Dodong and the seashore heading to Dok-do. Due to the bad weather, Dok-do masked its face under the horizontal line covered with haze.

4. Residents

Ulleung-do is unlike other islands in Korea, including Jeju-do. It's more than a place just for tourists. It's a place of daily life for its residents. Since the cruise was canceled due to the weather forecast, I decided to live a day like the residents. Communicating with children who were playing on the seawall, I was able to know how they live in Ulleung-do. Running through the seawall and feeding the seagulls with 12-year-old children made a planlees day more meaningful. It's a wonderful idea to live like a resident in any place you go.

I hope my experience cand be helpful to someone who becames stuck in Ulleung-do.

L.L.F reporter Han-sung Jeong