Korean Job Discussion Forums

JerBear · Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Location: Seoul, South Korea

I was thinking of going somewhere next weekend. I figured I'd leave early Saturday morning and come back late Sunday night. I would've gone somewhere last weekend (it being a 3-day weekend and all) but was down with the flu.

Anyway, I don't know enough about the country to know what are good ideas.

Also: I'll be traveling alone and don't know any Korean (okay, I know a smattering of basic words, but cannot read the script at all). Anyone else taken a solo trip somewhere that they'd recommend? I'm open to taking the train, bus or ferry.

: )

PS I also have access to a car and might be willing to drive if you can think of a place it would be practical.

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

If you don't know Hangul, I do not recommend driving around in this country, even if signs usually have English on them. If you don't have a road atlas, definitely don't drive when new.

I recommend a trip to Busan or Gyeongju. Both are easy to get around and see their fair share of tourists and new foreigners. Having a good Lonely Planet guide is essential. The Moon Handbooks version of Korea is ok, but sucks for navigation.

Another thing to do is hook up with Adventure Korea or other English-based tour companies. An email I received today said there were still some seats left on their trip this weekend.

bossface · Joined: 05 Aug 2006

I agree, Busan is a good choice. The first time I went there, I didn't read Hangul at all, and was still in full-on anyong haseyo-kamsa hamnida mode. Assuming the weather is okay, it's a great weekend to go to the beaches there, before the summer weekends bring enormous crowds. Taking the KTX is easy without knowing any Korean, and the subway is all in English too. I usually stay in Haeundae, and there's a million hotels and restaurants there, and a couple of foreigner bars.

politica · Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Location: Suwon-si

If you want something a little closer than Busan, you might try one of the islands surrounding Incheon. I was just there this past weekend, and we had a blast.

Its an easy subway, then ferry, ride. Good beaches, fireworks, live octopus eating . . . what more could you ask for?

Plus, watching plastered ajoshis trying to play beach soccer in the morning is a hoot.

ajgeddes · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Location: Yongsan

Going with the Incheon theme, try Ganghwado. It's very quiet and has some mountains to hike and some neat temples and other historic stuff to visit.