Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jfromtheway]

I have the Tuesday after the Monday off next week and have been getting the itch to get myself to the beach. My co-teacher's parents are loaded Chaebol people who have some condos in Sokcho, which is where I'm leaning towards anyway, but she wants us to go together, and I'm not sure I'm cool with that. Also unsure if she'd let me stay at the condo without her if she doesn't end up going herself. To business.

1) 17k out of express bus terminal, assume that's the best way to go.

2) In case I can't use one of the condos, I saw a link for some guesthouses for around 30k, does that sound about right? Any cheaper options?

3) Ten day forecast showed low 70s, no rain. Wish it was predicted to be a little warmer, but Busan, which I was also considering, showed similar temperatures. I guess that's fine, though.

4) I don't eat seafood and I don't really like Korean food, so I figure it's best to stay around more "touristy" hubs (no clue if Sokcho qualifies as touristy anyway). Just laying that one out there. Not sure what my options will be.

All I want it is a relatively quiet beach and a cheap place to stay. I'm trying to save my money for the Philippines in early August but I need to get some revitalizing sun on my white ass. Any information is good information, and if anyone has any other recommendations I would certainly enjoy hearing about them. Thank you.

[northway]

I've only been once, but I was in the tourist area and I don't remember seeing any Western food whatsoever, outside of a couple coffee show with waffles. Busan it is not.

Also, you know that Seoraksan is right there, yeah? Like, twenty minutes away? I know you want beach time, but I would try to make it there as well, if you haven't been before.

[jfromtheway]

Thanks again, Northway. I've only heard about Seoraksan. I've been in Korea just barely under a year and, though I probably shouldn't admit it, the farthest I've traveled in Korea outside of Seoul proper was to and from ICN. Looks like a beautiful place from google images and I'd definitely be willing to make a day trip of it. But I'm seriously ill-equipped to do any hiking, dress shoes and some Nike basketball kicks are all I have. I know I wouldn't have to go hiking and it would probably do me good to get my nature on in the mountains. Been a while on that front.

Bummer about the food, but I suppose I could survive on waffles for a few days if need be. I appreciate your input.

[northway]

It's Korea, no hiking necessary: there's a gondola to the top.

Enjoy. Sokcho/Seoraksan is the best place I've been in Korea.

[jfromtheway]

Heh, yes, I did see some pictures of gondolas when I googled earlier. That's very high praise of the place, but I trust your reviews of things on here, so I'm pretty much sold, just need to work out the details. And you were also right about my Spanish being useless in the Philippines, amigo. Nada mas que risas.

If I can lounge and toast for three days, get a good day trip in at Seoraksan, I'll be more than content. But I still have to figure out my co-teacher situation. I'll have to make up an excuse and go somewhere else if she keeps insisting that we go together.

[northway]

It's probably more of a pain in the ass without a car, but I gotta say, it's pretty awesome going up to the top of Seoraksan and seeing the ocean in the distance in the afternoon and then heading down to the same beach to drink beer, shoot fireworks, and eat seafood.

[SeoulNate]

[jfromtheway]

Great, precise information SeoulNate. I think I'll do just that. What exactly is a minbok? I guess I'm spelling it wrong in Korean, cause I can't find anything. If I get there late Friday night, can you or anyone speculate on minbok availabilities? Thanks to you and Northway again.

[northway]

http://wiki.galbijim.com/Minbak

Basically a guest house.

[jfromtheway]

Gotcha. That's good for me, as long as I have my own room.

[SeoulNate]

those ones will be shared rooms. There are always a ton of people trying to get you to stay in their rooms between the bus stop and the beach though and some of them are private rooms.

Just be wary of price gouging. The first price they say is always about 50% higher than they will take.

[jfromtheway]

Appreciate the info once again, Nate. I'm planning to jump on the bus after work on Friday and hope I can land a single room in the area you're talking about. I probably won't get there before 10 pm if I go home first, so keeping my fingers crossed that there won't be too much of an issue finding a single room somewhere. I'm pretty good at getting my haggle on, thanks for the tip.

[jfromtheway]

This is for anyone who reads this in the future: Minbak, minbak, minbak. I'm really appreciative for the information on these getups. I met and saw a few couples who were dishing out $60-100 at a night at hotels, whereas my ladyfriend and I split the $100 it cost for four nights at a place where I could throw a rock onto the beach from the front door. TV, kitchen, refrigerator, personal bathroom, plenty of space, clean, free water, free TP. PM me if you plan to go and want directions as there was nothing to advertise the place and we just stumbled upon it Friday night.

It's too bad the weather was crap with elusive sun. Seoraksan was pretty nice, too foggy to go up the mountain, unfortunately. I almost starved to death (Popeye's in E-mart, about 10 or so western food places downtown-- pizza hut, domino's, and a few random places-- saw a sign that said "Mexican Food" on the 7th floor, took the elevator up, and found a failed and closed Mexican restaurant. Prepare for the stares downtown, as well). And I got to witness Korean beach behavior, which I will save for another time. Sorry for the review but the main thing I want to say is minbak, minbak, minbak. I saw them all around the beach area, never get ripped off by staying at a hotel.

[randall020105]

Isnt Sokcho the place where you get a ferry to Vladivostok? I'm quoting this under correction of course ... That's one option?

R.

[wawawawonder]