Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lootbag]

Any good Jeju planned vacations for july? Or any people who have been have recommendations of places to stay/ things to do?

[Hardy Boy]

Head to Hyeopjae beach (bring a tent and a mere 5,000 won for camping fee)
http://www.koreaheute.de/_board8/data/file/kh_aktuelles_bild/1529188920_5d2ba876_paper0706_05_1024.jpg

or where the foreigners hang, Hamdeok Beach (right next to Jeju City)
http://hawkeye.ngcsu.edu/~SJYOON2908/picture%205.jpg

or chill on one of the beaches of nearby Udo Island (no fee, free camping, but ten minute ferry costs)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3090/3125110770_e68a40e06d.jpg?v=0

[wormholes101]

[n�fara]

wormholes101 is potentially right, in July you might be facing the rainy season. This doesn't mean that it will necessarily be raining all the time, but you can get a stretch of a few crummy days in a row (so if you're planning on just a long weekend vacation, it's a gamble).

You might get lucky and have some really great weather though, too.

Things to do on Jeju, which may or may not be cool depending on your interests:

1. Hike up Hallasan (to the top via Seongpanak or the Gwaneumsa route, or just up to the Witsae Oreum via Eorimok, Yeongshil, or Donneko routes)

2. Take a ferry to Marado from the Moseul harbour and be as far south as you can get in South Korea.

3. Go snorkling or scuba diving on the south, east, or west side of the island.

4. Walk the Jeju Olle trails and get a good view of the Jeju natural and urban landscapes.

5. Visit Loveland and take naughty pictures of yourself and statues.

6. Stay at a minbak on the east coast in Seongsan, and catch a sunrise / climb Seongsan Ilchulbong.

7. Like raw seafood? Any town close to the water will have its share of restaurants offering local fare.

8. Take the ferry from Seongsan harbour and visit Udo Island for a day or two. There's a nice beach there, you'll probably see a Haenyo, and did you know they grow some pretty tasty peanuts on Udo?

9. Visit the Haenyo museum in Hado-ri.

10. Rent a car and drive down some of the little cement farmer roads. You'll never know what you might come across.

11. Go hiking on any of the many oreum on Jeju.

12. Want to see a lava tube? Visit the Geomunoreum lava tube system, Manganggul. Or visit Micheongul and then make yourself a clay bowl after.

13. Visit Sanbangsan. It is an impressive mini-mountian right by the southwestern coast. Technically you're now allowed to climb it anymore, but on the south side is a nice temple with a Buddha in a cave.

14. Close by Sanbangsan is Hamel's Ship, a museum about the Dutch crew who shipwrecked on Jeju in the 1600s.

15. Visit a random attraction. There's a bunch: the Teddy Bear Museum (cute?), the Dak Paper Doll Museum (creepy?), Chocolate Museum, Africa Museum, Trick Museum, Mini Mini Land, Dinosaur Land, Crocodile land, Elephant Land... The list goes on. Some of these attractions are nothing to write home about, but some are worth a look. Actually, please don't visit any attraction that uses live exotic animals, as the animals are kept in pitiable conditions and the places aren't worth supporting.

16. Take a trip to the Jeju Folk Village in Pyoseon and check out Jeju culture. They have performances at certain hours, as well.

17. Or visit Seongeup, a village of traditional Jeju houses where people still live.

18. Jeju Horses! A living reminder of the past Mongolian occupation, you can see them in their pastures or bet on a race at the Jeju Race Track. Or visit the Mongolian Circus to see them in action.

19. Looking for a place to stay? Unless you need to stay in a posh hotel, look for a 민박 or pension or homestay by a place you'd like to see more of.

20. Vegetarian? There are some nice but simple restaurants on the island.

21. Do a temple stay at Yakcheonsa (약천사), which is said to host the largest prayer hall in Asia. English shouldn't be a problem.

22. The screening of the World Cup might be over by the time you get here, but why not visit the 2002 World Cup down in Seogwipo?

23. Ha, it's raining? Well, that can be some of the best times to see Jeju's waterfalls. Some of them only exist after a rain since we have no continuous rivers on the island.

24. Jeju oranges. Well, it's not really the season for them in July, but you can still pick up some Hallabong from many of the shops along the road.

25. Visit a 5-day market and buy some veggies from the halmangs. In Jeju-si, they occur on days ending on a 2 or a 7 and in Seogwipo it's 4 and 9. There are other 5-day markets as well, but Jeju-si and Seogiwpo-si are the biggest.

26. Want to surf? You might be able to catch a wave down in Jungmun. I've heard you can also rent board there, as well.

27. Get a Jeju map at any Jeju Tourist Centre. See if there is anything on there that strikes your fancy, and enjoy the adventure of getting there.

28. Interested in visiting an animal shelter? Every other Saturday a group visits a local municipal shelter to walk the dogs / hang out with the cats.

29. Go fishing! Rent equipment and fish on shore, or hire a boat and captain to take you out on the water (better if you have a group of people, cost-wise).

30. Like to golf, and have some money to burn? Go golfing at one of Jeju's many golf courses (that is, if they will let you in)

31. Paragliding lessons on some of the Jeju oreum. Best to ask about this at a Tourist Centre, or by calling 064-1330 on Jeju

32. Learn a little of the Jeju dialect and impress the locals. Bound to make you friends, especially among the older generation.

Wow that's a lot of text to read. Hope it helps! Have a good time if you end up visiting the island in July

[Ruthdes]

I'm going to Jejudo for 5 days on July 2nd and I want to go scuba diving on the 3rd (Sat). Can anyone recommend an English speaking dive shop and/or a place to stay near by? I'll be by myself, so the cheaper the better. Also, is it easy to get from the airport to wherever the dive shop is. I can hire a car, but I'd prefer not to if I can avoid it.

[wormholes101]

[Ruthdes]

Fantastic! Thanks for the info.

[BrenSmith]

So bring a tent for camping?

What about minbaks/pensions. How does that all work. Just show up and hope something is available?
What's the best way to get around the island?

[wormholes101]

[Ruthdes]

Ok, I've booked my diving on Saturday the 3rd, which means I'll be staying overnight in Seogwipo on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd. I'll be by myself and I'd love some people to hang out with so I'm not sitting in my hotel room alone. I'd particularly like to go out for black pig sam gyeop sal on one of those nights. I'm happy to hear from Koreans or other foreigners.

A little about me: Australian, female, 31. I love to socialise and drink, though if we go out Friday night I won't be able to go overboard seeing I have to be at the dive shop at 9am the next day. PM or reply here if anyone's interested.

FYI: If I was after sex, I'd be posting on Craig's List. I just want some cool people to hang out with for a night or two. Hope to hear from you!

[BrenSmith]

After some research on this it seems the best thing to do is show up,rent a car,explore, stop at places that catch yer eye and camp or minbak it. Just wingin' it with a friend for 5 days I think. Semi-tight budget.

Ideas on car rental costs?
Any other nice beach suggestions, especially for camping?

[Billy Danze]

WOW, this was amazing. Thanks for all the help.

ANyone have any good tips on where to sleep?

Going for a few days at the end of July, this got me psyched!

[wormholes101]

[wormholes101]

[JBomb]

I would personally recommend the lavatube. It is quite an amazing bit of geology.