By Honorary Reporter Monthi Rosselini from Indonesia

Photos = Jejuweekly.com, Monthi Rosselini

Jeju Island and Bali, Indonesia, are two beautiful tourist spots famous worldwide. They both have several similarities and are thus considered "sister provinces," in which their governing authorities support each other to develop tourism. 

The following are things Jeju and Bali have in common.

Ritual culture
A famous ritual in Jeju is Chilmeoridang Yeongdeunggut, which is held in the second month under the lunar calendar to pray for calm seas, abundant harvest and bountiful sea catch. In 2009, it was added to UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In Bali, a similar ceremony is Ngampung, which is performed by farmers to wish for a good rice harvest. Most Balinese are Hindu and integrate many core beliefs of the religion with arts and rituals.

Guardian statues
Both Jeju and Bali have many guardian statues that give each island a unique character. Jeju has dol hareubang, or statues whose name literally means "stone grandfather" and have closed mouths and hats. Bali has bedogol or dwarapala, a sword-wielding statue that is often placed on both sides of the entrance to a house or temple for protection.

Traditional food
Both Jeju and Bali each have a lot of indigenous foods, especially pork and seafood. Jeju is famous for jeonbokjuk (abalone porridge), heukdwaeji (black pork barbeque) and swindari (a fermented rice beverage), while Bali features sate lilit ikan (fish satay), nasi campur (rice dish with meats and vegetables) and babi guling (roast suckling pig).

Traditional villages
Seongeup Folk Village in Jeju has a collection of 600-year-old thatched roof houses built from volcanic basalt rock. The homes have been passed down over generations and showcases the island's unique culture. In Bali, the traditional village Penglipuran gets its name from the phrase "Pengeling pura," which means "Remember your ancestors." The village remains untouched by modernization as one of Bali's premiere destinations.

Breathtaking scenery
The UNESCO-designated Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak in Jeju is 180 m above sea level and was formed from a volcanic eruption under the ocean about 5,000 years ago. Tourists here can catch beautiful sunrises on the peak with breathtaking scenery. In Bali, Nusa Penida is great for snorkeling and diving, with nearly every part filled with white sand beaches, silky blue water, high coastal cliffs and untouched nature.

Surfing destination
The beauty of Jeju and Bali's beaches attract hordes of water sports lovers, many of whom want to surf. Popular surfing beaches in Jeju are Weoljong and Sungmun, while those in Bali include Kuta, Canggu and Padang Padang.

kalhong617@korea.kr 

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.