Korean Job Discussion Forums

[moosehead]

I really need some R&R and am thinking of heading to the E coast this weekend - are hotels the same as everywhere else? anything around w/a porch or terrace where I can sit and watch the waves?

suggestions?

how about restaurants - all K or are there any western ones? if so how/where can I find them?

am only looking for peace and quiet

thanks!!

[wawawawonder]

Welcome to the smallest city in Korea! Not a bad little town at all and plenty to do for the weekend.

As far as accommodation goes, I haven't noticed much beyond the multitude of identikit hotels and motels. There are holiday homes located right by Yeongnang Lake though. I doubt they are very expensive. The lake itself is just off the sea.

Food? As Korean as the rest of Korea really. A few pizza places and a new Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins is about all the exotica you're going to find here.

[moosehead]

I didn't know there was a lake there also - I was only thinking about the ocean - I want to be near there - is that difficult? that is, w/o my own transportation?

just how big is Sokcho? I didn't know it was all that small - can you compare it, say to Daejeon? or Daegu?

how's the weather there now, is it very hot? or a nice cool breeze (?hopefully)

I'm getting psyched I think

[Harpeau]

Seokcho is very nice. "Seoul-Shikdang" (Seoul Restaurant) is a nice place. A really cool old couple run it. The food is good and they use New Zealand beef. That is next to the outdoor market, close to the SHOW mobile phones shop.

There is a very nice spagetti place. It's onthe second floor. A decent balcony. Surprisingly good grub!!

You can get a bus from Seokcho to Sorak san for about 1000 won. Avoid the taxis, as they are rip-offs (going to Sorak san, that is).

Sorry that it's a bit vague. Have fun!

[wawawawonder]

Saturday's looking as if it'll be somewhat rainy with Sunday a bit m ore pleasant. Temperatures in the early to mid 20s (68-77F).

Yes, there's a lake and it's rather beautiful- easily one of my favourite places here. Not massive (about 8km/5 miles all the way around) but a great place for a relaxing bike ride.

The city itself is the smallest officially designated city in Korea- population around 90-100,000, I think. Plenty big enough.

If you're going to come to Sokcho, you should make an effort to enjoy the fish dishes at the Daepo fish market- a worthwhile outing indeed.

If you're arriving by bus, there's a mini-tourist info office by the station (well, one of them) which will provide you with a good touristy kind of map in English.

[bossface]

Sokcho is much smaller than Daejeon or Daegu. Cheonan feels huge by comparison.

I stayed at the Hotel Good Morning. It has balconies with beach views, although the beach is maybe 100 meters away. It was insanely expensive for what it is, but I was there on a holiday weekend, and even love hotels were charging 70-80k a night. I figured if I was to be ripped off, I may as well do it in style.

I second the Seorok bus thing. Also, there are lots of buses between downtown and the beach, maybe all of them. I think the 1,4,7, and 9 buses all made that trip.

My bus from the Sokcho beach bus terminal to Dong Seoul followed the most amazing mountain road I've ever seen in this country.

[soviet_man]

Go for a walk around the fish market and along the rock wall that jutts out into the sea.

You will see plenty of people having raw seafood picnics: they buy the squid or whatever and then carry it out along the rock wall walkway to eat on little plastic trays. Awesome.

[Siesta]

I stayed at the Hotel Maremons went I went to Sokcho last summer. I had a room with and ocean view balcony. Kind of over-priced for Sokcho at 180K-230k/night-higher on the weekend) but it was nicer than alot of the other places there.

[newinseoul]

You've picked a great place to go to relax. Another great thing about Sokcho is it is so close to Seoraksan National Park. You can get a city bus that takes you to the park in ten minutes.

I stayed about two hotels from the ocean, and had an ocean view from my balcony. I don't remember the name of the place, but if you get off at the main bus station, and walk towards the ocean. It'll be the first hotel past the main intersection on your left (Can't remember the name for the life of me). The room also had a kitchenette in it, and tv.

Go to the fish market, by the harbour. Nice city. The beach is nice too.

[moosehead]

[schwa]

Thats going deluxe. 40 or 50k will find you a pleasant room.

[Siesta]

No worries there are plenty of places that charge less. The Hotel Maremons is at the high end. I remember driving past some pensions in the area but no idea about costs. Maybe you could have one of your Korean co-teachers do an internet search for you.