Following the tradition of the VTM, members of the VTM had first hand experience in the heart of Taekwondo. Through this visit, members of the VTM have developed a deep appreciation for Korean culture and the roots of Korean martial arts. The Taekwondo students on the trip had the opportunity to experience the roots of the art as well as training with world class competitors.

In June, 2001, three select groups of martial artists from Dayton, Cincinnati and Los Angeles engaged in a tour of Korea sponsored in part by the Ving Tsun Museum. The purpose of the tour was to help Western martial arts practitioners develop a sense of the culture that gave rise to Korean martial arts. Rendezvous occurred in Korea at the Inchon International Airport, where participants were bussed to the Seoul International Airport for a short flight southwest to Jeju island (also written Cheju).

Jeju-do, or Jeju island, one of the nine provinces of Korea, is only an hour's flight south of Seoul. As a result of its isolated location and romantic tropical image, Jeju-do has become a favorite retreat with honeymooners and tourists. The island has a mild climate. It has four distinct seasons and an average yearly temperature of 15 C (60 F). In summer, temperatures range from 22 C (72F) to 26 C (80 F) per the Korea Travel Guide, Korea National Tourism Organization (www.visitkorea.or.kr)

The first day in Korea, Tuesday June 27th, it rained off and on, but the weather was warm. The first stop in the tour of Cheju Island was Yongduam Rock or "Dragon Head Rock". This unusual lava formation looks like the head of a dragon. There is a famous story about a dragon that was imprisoned in stone with only its head above water. Its tears cause the water that forms in pools around the dragon as it cries over past misbehavior.

Tae Hayden, 3rd Degree Black Belt

A Buddhist temple was next on the agenda. The temple was of modern construction and the main building was 4 stories tall. A monk was inside chanting as the tour group explored the recesses of the temple while Korean citizens flowed in and out of the temple, bowing to pay their respects to Buddha.

For lunch the group had bulgogi (Korean barbeque beef), the famous meal of Korea. For many of the participants, eating Korean food was a first time experience. After lunch, the tour group traveled to a Cheonjeyeon Falls, the famous falls of Jeju-do.

On the drive to the hotels, the tour stopped at another famous tourist attraction, a place where the laws of gravity appear not to apply. As the road slopes gently off to the horizon, bottles and cars eerily roll up the hill, gaining momentum as they roll. Scientists have measured the elevation of the slope and it actually does slope downhill, contrary to what your eyes tell you. For dinner, the tour group went to a local Chinese restaurant.

Tour group photo on the steps of the History and Folklore Museum.