Korean Job Discussion Forums

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Bought a LP guide for Valencia region in Spain. Just a random thought, possibly any book you can possibly pick up of the LP makes you think nowhere else in the world is greater than that place right there.

in_seoul_2003 · Joined: 24 Nov 2003

TECO · Joined: 20 Jan 2003

Tiger - have you seen the new LP for Thailand yet? I haven't and was interested in what they've done to update it.

I had the last edition and it was riddled with outdated info.

The maps are okay, though.

I used think they were great. Now I just go to the Lonley Planet web site and post my questions on the appropriate thread and get up to date answers that way.

Cut and paste the info into a word file that people give me and print out the info and take it to wherever I'm going.

Lighter than the books that way.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

You can buy any LP for an absolute knockdown price in Vietnam- they're cheaply made photocopies that fall to bits after one read...
What do you think of the korea LP? i found it fairly useful and a little amusing.. the author showed some thinly veiled sarcasm and dislike of certain things here...!
For example he writes on the increasing % families opting to have boys and aborting girls here, and how this will lead to a bride shortage in the future:
"One plan is for Korea to import eligible brides from poorer Asian countries. However, few foreign women are likely to put up with the behavior that is typical of korean men. Expect the status, value and respect for Korean women to take an historic leap forward in years to come!"

Moldy Rutabaga · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Location: Ansan, Korea

I haven't found the Latin American LPs to gloss over unpleasantness, although I'm only familiar with the Mexican one. Its prices were outdated, but the hostel and attractions information was excellent, and I never travelled without one. I'd buy more if they weren't so bloody expensive. They at least are pretty free with what gets posted on their discussion site.

I'm not sure people would buy a travel manual which didn't at least a little try to sell you on the location, as they're usually written by enthusiasts of that region. And LP is certainly better than some: National Geographic Traveller, Conde Nast-- reviews of which hotel's spa is best and what the local availability of Chardonnay is-- and little mention of the country itself.

Ken:>

TECO · Joined: 20 Jan 2003

A Philippines travel guide book written by Jens Peters.

Anyone heard of it/have it?

Better than the LP guide book to the Philippines, in my estimation and I recommend it.

Mashimaro · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Location: location, location

I think it's funny how the korean LP is so damn small.. Nothing to do in Korea? To be honest there isn't a lot, but I think they could have found more..

Anyone use the 'Rough Guide' guidebooks.. I've got there Japan book and it's quite good.. Some people like them more than LP..

rudyflyer · Joined: 26 Feb 2003 Location: pacing the cage

The LP Korea book is so full of errors its not funny (one is they have the Gwangju World Cup stadium where the baseball stadium is, not even close), the maps are so-so and info on midrange places outside of seoul is non-existent.

BTW does anybody know when the new Korea book is due out? They've done 2 Thailand editions since 2001 and none on Korea

I like TB have a bunch of them now as I plan my next trip. The Vietnam book looks decent. I would though like some reviews on the new Thai book as we are again thinking about going there again in late Jan

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

If anyone wants to buy my Taiwan Lonely Planet, let me know. I bought it for a 4-day trip to Taiwan. It cost 29,980 won at Kyobo. I'll sell it for 12,000 won.

Even better I have all the Taipei bars highlighted in yellow on every map of Taipei. Other than the bar highlighting, its pretty fresh and new.

Mashimaro · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Location: location, location

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Yaya · Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Location: Seoul

Is Lonely Planet the best guide out there? I've also gotten some good info from the Rough Guides.

FierceInvalid · Joined: 16 Mar 2003

I like the LP books. You can't follow them like a playbook, but they're useful. Actually, I learned how to read hangul from the Korea LP book before I came here (just the basics of course, no patchim or anything but I was cranking out easy words like "Busan" no sweat). I once looked at the Toronto LP book - it was pretty embarassing, they somehow stretch a couple of pages out of Skydome if I remember right.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

I was shocked they have a 'Great Lakes' Lonely Planet. Lake Michigan, Superior, Huron, etc. I wouldn't imagine there would be much backpacker hostelling interest in that region.