Korean Job Discussion Forums

indytrucks · Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Location: The Shelf

I think this has been talked about before, but all the other threads of traveling to SE Asian countries and Asian cities got me thinking ...

At the weekends do you travel around Korea, or do you stay near home? Personally, my days of wasting away around some watering hole are well past me (damn, I'm getting old) and I usually make an effort to go somewhere and take in the sights.

There are some great places "off the beaten track" in Korea (ie. outside of Sockcho, Gyeongju, Seoul and the Inchon islands). The national parks in Chungnam, Chungbuk, Jeonnam and Jeonbuk are fantastic. Buyeo is a mini-Gyeongju without the the tourists, nice and quiet. Tongyong is unbelievable; it's not even like being in Korea. Yeosu, Jeonju, Mokpo and Danyang are all uniques cities that have great spots to hang out in and cool sightseeing. Ulleong-do is beyond description ... anyone here for a length of time should get there.

Anybody else have any Korean travel favourites they want to share? The "all Korean cities suck/Korea sucks for traveling" trolls need not reply.

dogbert · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Location: Killbox 90210

I've always favored the country side centered on Iksan. The Miruk temple ruins are worth a trip and are beautiful, especially shrouded in fog.

indytrucks · Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Location: The Shelf

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

indytrucks · Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Location: The Shelf

Emma Clare · Joined: 24 May 2003 Location: Anseong, sung, song.

It does kind of make me wonder when people come all this bloody way to a totally different environment, culture etc and then they just wanna spend the weekends getting wasted and in some dark basement hole (known in Korea as a 'club') Seems a pity to me.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Homer · Guest

The watering hole is allright sometimes. Its a chance to meet friends and relax. Its when you go twice a week-end and get plastered everytime that it becomes ridiculous.

I travel inside Korea all the time..or rather when I have the time.. Laughing

Two of my favorite spots are Jiri San and Sorak San.....great hiking.

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

Here's the problem with weekend trips:

A lot of people get the same idea as you.

Traffic sucks unless you leave early and come back early. Driving for 2-4 hours there and 2-4 hrs back just to stay a day kinda isn't worth it when you need a day to relax.

I tried a road trip, perhaps I went too far, I headed to Seokcho from Seoul...took about 4hrs to get there as they are still building a real highway into that city (rather across Korea East-West). Was soooo many people in Seokcho. We took a road trip north along the coast, perhaps another 45min drive...had some raw fish. Usually I don't eat it, but when in Rome...

I really want to get out on the weekends. But the time vs reward thing hasn't kicked in yet. Also with winter coming, I don't want to go somewhere and freeze my buns off.

Now if you don't drive and are going to take the train/bus, I guess it could go alright if you can actually sleep while travelling. I usually cannot, as I like to see the countryside.

I will be trying more road trips in the spring. Also definately plan to fly to Cheju Do either spring or summer as I have only seen it in winter.

Travelling around is fun. But I enjoy photography and seeing cool sites. The city is always the same old, same old.

Homer · Guest

mr pink...try the top of Jiri San for a sunrise...what a sight mate!

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

I saw the sun rise from Sorak-san with the sea there and all...man it was awesome, wish I could have got some pictures, but i didnt have my camera with me.

Might try another sunrise from a mountain next year. Probably in the fall...spring/summer is hot for hiking.

EDIT: has anyone climbed Mt. Halla on ChejuDo...I kinda want to try that some day when I am in a bit more shape...I hear you can't do the top summit at certain times of the year. (like winter is definately off limits)

jacktar · Joined: 04 Jun 2003 Location: ��

I've travelled more this year than in previous years. I've finally found a group of guys to dive with so I went away every second weekend this summer. I got to go to places I would never have had a reason to go to before. Ie: Nam Hae Do, Hong Do, Ulchin, Seokcho, Tongyong, Chukpyung, Gangneun.

I saw a huge pod of dolphins on the way to a dive site on Nam Hae Do. Maybe as many ast 50 all around the boat. That was pretty magical. I went to see some cool caves in Chukpyung. There's definitely more here than you see from the lonely planet.

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

I think Lonely Planet is kinda like a "bandaid" solution to travelling. It gives you a quick "fix" as in the basics, but doesn't get into the deep things a country has to offer: I think it leaves it up to the traveler to discover some things on their own.

Diving sounds good, what was your favorite place to dive?

jacktar · Joined: 04 Jun 2003 Location: ��

purrrfect · Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2003 4:52 am Post subject:

hey Jacktar! I went diving once (a year ago, in Thailand), but I didn't get my licence - it was just a one-time kind of thing, but I've really wanted to go again ever since... do you happen to know any good places in Korea to get certified? I've looked at the PADI website for listings, but you can't really tell anything from an address.
(close or close-ish to Cheonan?)