Korean Job Discussion Forums

cubanlord · Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Location: In Japan!

I was going to go to Jeju to present on a topic, but, the plans were cancelled due to no flights being open. Have you guys ever been there? If so, did you enjoy it? What is there to do for a weekend trip? Also, did you find it difficult to find tickets? I looked 1 month prior and had trouble finding return tickets.

seoulsucker · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:13 pm Post subject:

Jeju is/can be a great time. If you speak Korean, like a very limited selection of Korean food, and enjoy sleeping in a min-bak (empty room with Korean style bedding) you can do it on the cheap.

Western accomodations and non-Korean food are to be had, but you usually have to stay around the Jungmoon area (I think that's what it's called) at rather expensive resorts or hotels.

The scenery is great, the weather is awesome, and some of the beaches are really fantastic, but you do have to have some basic functional Korean to really get around.

In terms of booking tickets, on long national holiday weekends and "the vacation" meaning the last week of July and the first week of August (when it seems 90% of people here get their time off) you should do your best to book months in advance.

The GF and I were able to fly one of the boutique airlines on standby tickets in mid-August last year. Cost us 65,000 each, roundtrip. We just showed up to the airport and waited about 40 minutes for a flight.

We rented a scooter and took a 5 day trip all the way around the island and had a fantastic time.

Crockpot2001 · Joined: 01 Jul 2007

The wife and I are also going so she can present on a topic. We are going to be there the end of May. Airline tickets were not available but her company was able to book through a travel agency. We are staying at the resort/hotel where the conference is and they negotiated special rates, which her company will pay a few days of. We are extending the trip to through the weekend to enjoy ourselves. I'm hoping to get in a few hundred kmm of bike riding as I've heard the road riding is relativly safe on the inner loop and visually stunning. We'll also hike to some the of waterfalls that are to be seen.

DrOctagon · Joined: 11 Jun 2008 Location: Chicago

tacitus14 · Joined: 10 Nov 2008

When I went to Jeju -do I expected to find a resort style atmosphere since Koreans have been using it as a vacation spot from way back. I found the place to be remarkably under developped. There are a couple of these massive resorts that contain everything a Korean on vacation might need so that they don't actually have to leave the compound. Don't go to one of those.

There are a ton of great pensions right on the ocean and good deals to be found.

Rent a car, that's the only reasonable way to see the island.

And eat!

But it'd be a damn shame to go to Jeju do and eat Western food!

There are so many great and famous Korean restaurants on the island. The 해물탕, that abalone 죽 are fantastic. You can eat raw fish there that you can't anywhere else in Korea. Don't miss the raw horsemeat, or the shit pig. Take a culinary tour, designing your weekend around your meals won't be a disappointment, provided that you eat Korean. And drink Halla san soju.

If you want multi ethnic food, S**t, go to New York City!

Otherside · Joined: 06 Sep 2007

justaguy · Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Location: seoul

I have to second the speed bump comment. They are everwhere and come up on you unexpectedly.

Now and through May is wedding season and flower picture time for the Koreans, so expect things to be a bit busy in Cheju.

Good news is that the beaches are relatively empty at that time.

The pensions are definitely worth checking into. You can find some good deals there.

The waterfalls are good after a rainfall. If it has not rained the day before, chances are the waterfall may be dry. They are impressive when it's raining.

Lots of beautiful scenery. Nice place overall.

cubanlord · Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Location: In Japan!

cool, I appreciate it guys.

I was invited to go and give a presentation there. That's why I was asking. Hopefully, everything will pan out (may still go afterall)!

the ireland · Joined: 11 May 2008 Location: korea

Been there, done that and quite literally bought the t-shirt (i ran up and down that mountain in the middle of it and it was in july so it was very very humid, so i had to buy a new t-shirt at the foot of it cos i was a sweaty mess)

try getting a ferry over from busan or someother areas, you can get there for 35,000 won so it's not expensive, plus if you have a car you can take that!!