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Slow boat to China.
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IrishJen



Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Location: Gumi, Gyeongbuk
PostPosted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 10:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Does anyone know what there might be to do in Qingdao? The boat arrives in the morning, but the only train to Beijing (as far as I know) doesn't leave until the evening. Given that I will be by myself, is there enough to keep me entertained? The alternative is to fly, which isn't going to be too much more expensive.
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Masta_Don



Joined: 17 Aug 2006
Location: Hyehwa-dong, Seoul
PostPosted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 10:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
IrishJen wrote:
Does anyone know what there might be to do in Qingdao? The boat arrives in the morning, but the only train to Beijing (as far as I know) doesn't leave until the evening. Given that I will be by myself, is there enough to keep me entertained? The alternative is to fly, which isn't going to be too much more expensive.


Where'd you find train information?
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IrishJen



Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Location: Gumi, Gyeongbuk
PostPosted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 10:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
http://www.seat61.com/Korea.htm

And I found it written somewhere else too, but can't remember where exactly.
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pugwall



Joined: 22 Oct 2006
PostPosted: Sat Sep 08, 2007 10:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
nearest boat to BJ is Tianjin one. Only 45 mins away to BJ.

QD rocks out by the way. Goto Le Bang in Hong Kong Gardens, super cool bohemian french bar.
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nudefotographer



Joined: 10 Dec 2007
PostPosted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 5:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
IrishJen wrote:
http://www.seat61.com/Korea.htm

And I found it written somewhere else too, but can't remember where exactly.


Seat61 rocks! Read their information about the train from Beijing to Tibet. Even though the train is symbolic of China's growing domination of Tibet, it certainly looks like a hell of a way to get across the country.
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Masta_Don



Joined: 17 Aug 2006
Location: Hyehwa-dong, Seoul
PostPosted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 7:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I'll be brief but let me quickly say, the boat sucks. I know Huffdaddy will back me up here. It took four days and three nights to get to Qingdao from Incheon, most of that being stuck a mile offshore staring at the city. There was jack all to do onboard and that time included my New Year Eve celebrations. The reason we were given was due to inclimate weather, which I'm sure was legit, as there were a few dozen boats lined up behind us to use the port, but seemed ridiculous to us. Fortunately the Koreans knew how to party which helped bolster the New Years spirits, but still, the last place I wanted to be stuck was in the middle of the Yellow Sea.

If you go, go cheapest class. Same as second class without the table, chairs and TV.
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huffdaddy



Joined: 25 Nov 2005
PostPosted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 12:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Masta_Don wrote:
I'll be brief but let me quickly say, the boat sucks. I know Huffdaddy will back me up here.


Sorry, I missed this before. The boat ride was not fun. I got to hang out with a bunch of people and we made the most of a bad situation. But it wasn't how I wanted to spend my holiday.

Quote:
It took four days and three nights to get to Qingdao from Incheon, most of that being stuck a mile offshore staring at the city. There was jack all to do onboard and that time included my New Year Eve celebrations. The reason we were given was due to inclimate weather, which I'm sure was legit, as there were a few dozen boats lined up behind us to use the port, but seemed ridiculous to us.


Pretty much ditto. The staff did a pretty piss poor job of accommodating us. They could have at least opened up the noraebang for more than 3 hours a day. Heck, it should have been free for as much inconvenience as they caused. Also, the sauna and showers seemed to be never open after day 2. On the way back, they never restocked the GS. So there was a total of 1 beer to be had. I bought it, of course.

Quote:
Fortunately the Koreans knew how to party which helped bolster the New Years spirits, but still, the last place I wanted to be stuck was in the middle of the Yellow Sea.


Outside of the boarding and unboarding, the Koreans were cool. Not like the horror stories most people like to tell. I'm still not sure how or why they had several days worth of beer and soju for an overnight ferry ride, but they did. And they were willing to share it.

Quote:
If you go, go cheapest class. Same as second class without the table, chairs and TV.


The W20,000 difference may be worth it. Depends a lot on who you roommates are. I was satisfied with steerage, but I also ended up hanging out in the lounge for 16 hours a day as I had nowhere else to sit down and relax. The only thing that kept me sane were the duty free cigarettes I bought the first night.
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lvasia



Joined: 15 Nov 2007
PostPosted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 12:53 am    Post subject: good trip Reply with quote
worth it. boat is fun with a public bath, tv, game room and singing room. trip is about 24 hours that i recall and boat for tianjin goes 2-3 times a week or i believe it did a few years ago.
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Rumple



Joined: 19 Sep 2007
PostPosted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 4:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Masta_Don wrote:
I'll be brief but let me quickly say, the boat sucks. I know Huffdaddy will back me up here. It took four days and three nights to get to Qingdao from Incheon, most of that being stuck a mile offshore staring at the city. There was jack all to do onboard and that time included my New Year Eve celebrations. The reason we were given was due to inclimate weather, which I'm sure was legit, as there were a few dozen boats lined up behind us to use the port, but seemed ridiculous to us. Fortunately the Koreans knew how to party which helped bolster the New Years spirits, but still, the last place I wanted to be stuck was in the middle of the Yellow Sea.

If you go, go cheapest class. Same as second class without the table, chairs and TV.


I had a great time on the boat. I have posted a review of my experience.
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Darkness



Joined: 12 Oct 2006
PostPosted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Any updated info on who to contact to leave from Gunsan to get to China?

What's the recommendations on Weihei, or Qingdao?
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Rumple



Joined: 19 Sep 2007
PostPosted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote