Korean Job Discussion Forums

[eliross]

Where's the best place to go swimming outside? I'd love to find a lake or river that is close to Seoul to swim in but I'd settle for a decent swimming pool that is open soon.

[JungMin]

When I lived out in the country in Jeolla, I used to go swimming in the reservoirs up in the mountains. There were a couple within a kilometer or so of each other....

Signs were up all over the place saying no swimming because it was deep. It was great, not another person in sight!! And nice and cool for the hot summer days.

[eliross]

Exactlly what I would be looking for except closer.

[VanIslander]

At the beach.

With 20 C days from April to October in this country, I consider proximity to beaches in deciding where to live, along with air quality, hence why I have been on an island off the southeast coast and now riverside near the southern coast.

The Somjin river through town comes from Jiri national park mountains, no industry upriver except a few farms, clean water for swimming.

[bendyas]

On this note..

How much is the Hamilton Hotel pool?

Cheers.

[Toju]

[danythegirl]

The Hamilton Hotel Pool, last year, was 12 bucks I think for the day, and an extra 10 if you want to get your own lounger.

But I wouldn't really go there for the swimming, it's kinda icky, I go there just to chill in the sun and have a few drinks.

[eliross]

So nobody knows of a clean local lake or an outdoor swimming pool open in may that is near Seoul?

[Hyeon Een]

As you know, it is too cold in April, May and early June to swim outdoors. If you try you will die.

In Korea we don't swim until it is warm enough to swim. So you should watch your thermometer carefully. When your thermometer reaches "late June" the outdoor swimming pools will be filled and it will be safe to swim. It will stay safe to swim until the thermometer drops to "beginning of September".

As you know, Korean temperatures are measured by the calendar, not the crazy way it is done in the west. Wait please.

[eliross]

That's OK I'm going to sneak into one of the reservoirs and contaminate it with my western "barbarianism". If your students suddenly start pronouncing their R's and L's it's thanks to me.

[bassexpander]

As mentioned, Hamilton Hotel. It's expensive, and few people actually swim. They all hang out on the edges and pretend they're not watching the skinny Russian ballet dancer in his very gay swimsuit.

[NightSky]

I'd be concerned about the cleanliness of the water...that said, it's probably not much better than swimming pools with all the kids peeing and spitting. I've gone swimming before in big rivers here. If you can find a place that fifty other people aren't already at it can be cool.