Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ya-ta Boy]

I'm thinking about going to Ulleung-do during my up-coming vacation.

Has anyone ever been there?

Is it worth the time and money? Is there a decent motel for a reasonable price (my definition of decent: no squat toilet)?

Any tips on what to see/do and what to avoid?

Any info will be appreciated.

[the_beaver]

Ulleung-do is my favorite place (bar Seoul) in Korea. It was a while ago that I went but I don't imagine it has changed much.

What I recall: lots of minbaks and yagwons reasonably priced (it's the tourist season now and I don't know if that changes things).

As to what to do. . .

There's a trail lead up the mountain where you can look over the caldera. If you're into nature that might be a nice hike (I think nature bites so for me it was just a hike up a mountain with lots of trees and rocks and other crap that is typically seen on hikes).

There are a few little things to see, but I wouldn't go to Ulleung-do for sightseeing. It's just a nice place to hang. Every night people congregate around the harbor and eat squid and drink and dance and sing and act very provincial -- it's nice. The beaches are either made up of large boulders or coarse sand but swimming is possible.

The reason I liked it is because it was very relaxed and a good place to kick back and read.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

That is exactly where I am going for my vacation!

What a coincedence!

But I must confess, I plan to wing it and just "go there".

(my style..winging it)

[Dan]

the water there is just incredible. And the trip isn't complete unless you go into the hills and look up at the stars. Because of the absence of lights, you can see so many shooting stars, one every couple minutes, and you can even see the circular shape of a galaxy

I enjoyed myself, and there is a boat tour of curious rock formations and what not.

It isn't a very foreign tourist friendly place, so I suggest going with someone.

[VanIslander]

The island is on my must-do list for this year.

I'm wondering how the trips went for Ya-ta Boy and The Great Wall of Whiner.

And I need to decide when to go. I have time in May, July and late September.

Is the spring, summer or fall best? And why?

[Ya-ta Boy]

My trip in late August got cancelled. We went to Pohang and took a taxi out to the terminal. It was closed. The sign said the weather was too bad. (It was during that rainy time in late summer after the rainy season 'ended'.)

Good luck!

[lawyertood]

FYI AdventureKorea has a trip scheduled ....this is the e-mail they sent me

Ulleungdo Island trip(April 2nd-5th)
After our trip to Ulleungdo last september, we have been
waiting for the opportunity to repeat what was the best
and most memorable trip that we have had over the
past couple of years.
Many of you have probably heard about
this trip as many people who joined are still
talking about it to this day. Last time
we had the added excitement or inconvience (depending
on your opinion) of a typhoon during our stay.

This time round we will be visiting during the perfect
weather of the spring season from Friday 2nd of April
at 11pm until Monday 5th April. This time around
the weather will be ideal to take full advantage of
what the island has to offer. The activities on offer
include fishing, snorkelling, scuba diving, mountain hiking,
and of course sitting by the harbor in the evening
enjoying each others company over a few beers.
We will also take a boat trip around the neighboring islands,
an activity which had to be cancelled
last time due to the bad weather.

There are only 30 seats available on this trip, so please
book early to avoid disappointment.

The price is 270000won, which includes all transport (bus,
ferry), hotel accommodation, 5 meals, travel insurance
and daily trips around the island. A 100000won
deposit must be paid by 21st March to reserve your
place and the full balance must be paid by 27th March.
This was a very popular trip last year and we had to
turn many people away, so don''t leave it until
the last minute and book your place early!

If you book and then decide to cancel, then we will give
you a full refund as long as you cancel 1 week prior
to departure.
Let''s see if we can top last years'' trip and have a great
time on the island.

Schedule:

1st day

11pm: Meet at Adventure Korea Club

11:30pm Pick up point at Gangnam bus terminal in front on Shinsegae dept store

2nd day

05:00: Arrive at Chuam beach, Gangwon do to watch the beautiful sunrise, and take a look around the most beautiful beach in Korea

07:00am: Breakfast and free time

09:00am: Muk-ho harbor

10:00am: Catch the ferry to Ulleungdo Island (a 2.5hr ferry ride)

1pm: Arrive Ulleungdo Island. Travel to the hotel and eat lunch together

2pm: Take a break, have some free time to look around the harbor and the surrounding area

4pm-6pm: Sightseeing, Natural Rain Forest, take cable car to top of the mountain. Sample some medicinal mineral water. You can see the controversial Dokdo Island from the mountain (mentioned above)

7pm: Dinner and drinks at an outside restaurant
Free time

3rd day

6:30-8:30am: Get up, breakfast, see the fish market

9am: Jeep ride sightseeing tour around the island

1pm: Arrive at the volcanic crater, and eat some lunch washed down by some Korean wine.

3pm: hike to the peak of the mountain from the volcanic crater. If you��re too lazy, you can go back down, as there are so many other things to see. as like fishing, scuba diving

7pm: Arrive back at hotel to eat some dinner at another restaurant and drink some more.

Day 4

8:00am Eat breakfast, or sleep a little longer

9:00am Travel by ferry around Jukdo island, a very beautiful satellite island off the coast.

1:00pm Eat some lunch together, and pack our bags for departure. We will have some more free time to do some sightseeing

3:00pm Get on the ferry to the mainland

5:30pm Arrive Muk-ho harbor.

10:30pm Arrive back in Seoul

Payment details

1. The trip will cost 270000won, including all transport, the jeep ride, 5 meals, accommodation and entrance fees.

2. There will be 4 people in each room. If you would prefer a twin room, then this can be arranged with a small additional cost.

3. We will be taking a maximum of 30 people this time. Please book early as the places will be allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis. You must book your place by 21st March at the very latest.

4. You must pay a deposit of 100000Won or the full amount by 27th March in order to reserve your place. This deposit is non-refundable.

5. Send payment to Woori Bank account no: 668-065778-02-101.

6. Please send us an e-mail after you have sent the money with your full name and phone number.

7. If the weather conditions are bad on the last day of the trip and the ferry to the mainland is cancelled, we may have to stay one or two days extra. In such a case their may be additional expenses incurred.

[just because]

Sounds like a good trip. I always wanted to go there(however, I live near Busan so meeting near Gangnam is out ).

[the_beaver]

[VanIslander]

Lawyertood, the trip itinerary is helpful but the adventure tour is a rip-off at 270,000 Won and sharing a 4-person room. (The company will gross over 60 million won!!)

I advise anybody who wants to go to the island to invite a Korean they know and offer to pay all expenses. Transportation and hotel expense is cheap, and I have been told I could make the trip for much less than the company rate.

The adventure tour company says that their April departure is the best time, but what else would they say? Maybe it's better in the summer or fall.

For those who have gone, when was it and how was the weather, the water temperature and the crowds?

[lawyertood]

VanIslander reported