Our first day in Jeju Island was definitely a test of navigation wits. We have come to realize that it is indeed a big island and the absence of the very friendly and efficient train took its toll on going around the place if you do not have a car. But, it is the bus rides and constant effort of figuring out where to get off and hop on that made my husband and I became closer and trust each other.

For those of you who have been reading my Jeju Island posts so far, this is our last stop from our first day. After visiting Camellia Hill, Bonte Museum, and Bangju Church, my husband suggested that we take the intercity bus to Aewol and visit K-rapper G-Dragon's cafe named Monsant. Note that Camellia Hill, Bonte Museum, and Bangju are all in the Andeok-myeon area and we were travelling up north Aewol area. The thing about commuting in Jeju is, don't expect it to be a short ride! It took us around 1 hour and 40+mins to get to Aewol from the Seogwipo Intercity Bus terminal. I would love to speak to you more about the bus system in Jeju, so just shoot me a comment or an email so I can share with you in-depth instructions! :)

To get to Cafe Monsant, you need to get off at Handam-dong bus stop. From the bus stop, remember to cross right away at the adjacent side and you will see an alley that leads down to the coast, walk down that road. The street to Monsant is filled and still is being filled with concept cafes and restaurants, all with their own design and quirks going on. At the end of the road, turn right and walk all the way to Cafe Bomnal, it's easy to see it since it's in full bright yellow. Monsant is right behind Cafe Bomnal.

Visitors of Monsant are rewarded with this beautiful and peaceful view. If you happened to score a seat in the West and Southern side of the cafe, you will witness the beautiful sunset envelop the island. We arrived around 6:30PM and it was still bright up. Sunset came in at around 7:30PM that day so we had a beautiful glimpse of it despite the gloomy weather.

The cafe has an alfresco seating, a spot that most of the visitors prefer. The facade of Monsant is made out of stone, reflective pivoting windows, and a steel door. I love how sustainable the building is and how they maximized natural air and light to operate during the day. The windows are shut close at night and that's the only time they turn on the ACU.

The Northern and Eastern side of the cafe is closed, playing with the elements of stone, steel, and concrete. At night, light peeks out form the stacked stone wall giving an illusion that it's glowing. There's actually a rooftop  in the cafe, we just didn't get the chance to check it out since it was closed.

My favorite side of the cafe would be this. I loved the idea of punching a hole in the wall and making an illusion of framing neighboring structures. It gives a different story to the place.

As we sat there and watched the sunset, we enjoyed our slice of white ganache cake topped with tangerine jam, my usual caramel latte, and Monsant's iconic drink called "Tomorrow" for my husband. We sat there for around two hours planning on our itinerary and commute plan for the next few days in Jeju. We left around 8:30PM to catch the bus going back to Seogwipo area, where we were staying.

 Tired from a long yet fulfilling day, we were welcomed by Notting Hill being shown in our hostel courtyard. The perfect day ender along with a cup of ramyun and banana milk.

I cannot wait to share with you our next Jeju adventure!

There is always a certain comfort in setting your foot at the dwelling place of the Lord. I always think as a designer that a Church should be designed with adoration and perfection. It is a place of worship and a temple meeting, a ground to which hearts and lives are set to worship One King.

A week before we travelled to Korea, I happened to be researching on Japanese Architects for my lecture in Architectural Aesthetics and stumbled upon Itami Jun. I discovered that he actually designed a lot of iconic places in Jeju and decided to visit them. Unfortunately, due to the lack of research, I only discovered when I got to the Island that the Wind and Water Museums were inside a private Golf club.

  Fortunately for us, and it was just about the perfect timing of God when we chanced upon the Bangju Church on our drive to Bonte Museum. The church is located right before the museum. And one would definitely turn their heads whenever they see this metabolic structure accentuated by a zinc tile roof.

We discovered that Bangju is one of the most iconic spots in Andeokmyeon, Jeju Island. Sitting at a vast greenery is a rectangular structure made out of wood, glass, concrete, and zinc tiles. 

The church was patterned after the story of Noah's ark. The sanctuary sits on a pond, giving its visitors an illusion that they are walking/floating in water. The pond gives another dimension and drama to the structure as it directly mirrors in the building. We actually wanted to go in but there was a service going on and we didn't want to disrupt it so we only got a glimpse of the facade.

Because of the apex of the roof, and the wise use of materials, the sound from the organ being played inside could be heard audibly from the outside without distorion. My husband and I also we able to enjoy and appreciate Christian Hymns being played in the Korean Language.

Here's a tourist giving in to the urge of taking a photo by the entrance of the church Who would not marvel in this peaceful and serene structure?

I love how Itami Jun was able to blend in the elements of nature in this Holy Place. It just simply goes to show that places of worship do not need to always be too extravagant in structure and yet have the people feel like they were as if being brought closer to God through the beauty of its surroundings.

Simple. Unadulterated worship. Raw yet strong faith.

The Bangju Church is indeed one of those religious structures you should definitely see and experience when you visit South Korea.