Ohio group photo at the top of the Sangumburi Crater.  

Sangumburi Crater is one of three major craters on island. It is about 2 km in circumference and covers an area of 298,000 m2. This crater is home to some 420 different species of subtropical, temperate an alpine plants, so botanists call it a "floral treasure house." It is best viewed in summer or fall. - Korea Travel Guide, Korea National Tourism Organization. For lunch, tour participants ate a local specialty - fried pork. After lunch, the "mountain" of Seongsanpo was next. Seongsanpo, which means Fortress Mountain Port, is a small village on the island's eastern tip. The name describes the unusual volcanic cone that dominates the area. This cone, known as Ilchulbong, or Sunrise peak, is one of 350 parasitic volcanoes that dot the island. A trail leads up to the western edge of the crater, and scales its steep slope. A climb up this narrow trail rewards the climber with a most spectacular view. At sunrise, the scene is unbelievably beautiful.

From the heights of the Sunrise peak, the tour moved to the depths of Manjanggul Cave. This cave is situated on the northeast slope of the island. At 13.4 km (8.4 miles), it is the longest lava tube in the world. - Korea Travel Guide, Korea National Tourism Organization . Manjanggul Cave consists of three separate "tubes" of open space underground. The tour moved through the longest stretch of the tubes, seeing some of the largest stalactites and stalagmites in the world. Video cameras and glasses fogged immediately as members of the tour came out of the cold cave into the warm light of the afternoon. After the visit to the cave everyone wanted to stop at a beach near the hotel for a few minutes. After a little playing in the sun, it was back on the bus and on to the next stop. The tour paid a visit to a children's Taekwondo class located in a private Taekwondo school (as opposed to a University or elementary school system program). The children put on a demonstration of forms and breaking. Tour participants also demonstrated breaking. Several plaques were exchanged between the US and Korean Grand Masters and Masters. Dinner along the way was at restaurant where everyone sat on the floor in traditional Korean manner.

Vincent Meng in the children's class
 

Tour group and children's class
 

Dinner after the class