Korean Job Discussion Forums

[queencarmie]

As everyone knows, this past week has been national vacation time, (I'm sure it has a name but who the hell knows). I am new to Korea and as yet I do not have my multiple entry visa. o... where do you go when you are on vacation and cant leave the country?? Jeju of course. My friend and I packed up and prepared for a kickazz vacation in Korea's very own subtropical paradise. When we land we were told my the information people at the airport that all hotels were booked except the Good Morning Inn at 70.000 a night. Fine with us, we had the extra money. However, after we had checked in we find MANY hotels for way cheaper. Grrr...
Next... we went for Galbi. Menu stated 9.000. When the time comes to pay for our admitedly wonderful supper, the bill was 55.000. Even at 9.000 per person that would only amount to 18.000. Obviously the can of coke I ordered was 37.000.
Next... as we check out of the hotel they try to make us pay for an extra night. Taxi's are insanely expensive on the island and they seem to strategically hit every red light. That in itself is fine but the freakin lights are 6 minuites or longer. Seriously. oh ya, and the guy offered to give us a taxi tour of the island. however, he wanted 10.000 000. I questioned him at length about this sum and he stubbornly claimed to want over ten thousand canadian dollars. Freak.
Finally, We get to the airport after paying through the azz to get there, I try to buy a souvenier for myself and a friend. The freakin woman refused to give me my change back.
Jeju was a nice island, I did get to see a palm tree, but the amount I paid to see that palm tree was unbelievable. For those of you in my situation (no multiple entry visa) Swim to China to avoid immigration, it is much less hassle and way freakin cheaper

[dutchman]

[calypso]

Since you are new I'll try to be patient. First, you can still leave Korea. You can just get a single- reentry permit at the airport. You did not have to stay in Korea.

Obviously the people at the airport don't know every hotel and minbak to stay at. They told you 70,000 for a hotel. All those other places you saw were probably minbaks. Why would you go to Jeju at the peak of the tourist season without a hotel reservation?

How much did you pay for dinner? Why did you pay it?

10,000,000 for a tour? no, it is 100,000 won for all day. Was the guy speaking English or Korean too you? Did he write down the number? People get numbers mixed up in different languages.

Next time you take a trip, ask people who have been there.

Please everyone be patient with the OP as the OP is new to Korea.

[KoreanLifer]

i agree i was there 3 years ago.way overated by the locals here.koreans call it the "Hawaii of Asia"! no way! it aint that exoctic or even tropical.

the chejuians r highway robbers! 9,000w for bimbimbap i remember and the local bus from village to village was 4,000w.never took a taxi because it must be unreal.the yogwan was 70,000w and nothing special at all.not even cable tv at that price.

i would never go back there again.to hard to get around the place.plus the cost of transportation is krazy!

i cant see why more KOreans dont take off to Thailand, Phil, Malayasia, or vietnam for a bargain holiday compared to cheju.

[Eazy_E]

Avoid the travel destinations that Koreans always talk about. I've always known that Jeju-Do would be overpriced, overrated, and kitschy (not to sound self-righteous). I'm sure there are nice beaches there, but if you want to see something you can't see in your own country, you should head to Gyeongju. The mountainous scenery is verdant and lovely, unspoiled by power lines and monolith apartment buildings. The city itself is modern, but scattered over the countryside are the traditional sloped tiled roof houses. I wanted to do some hiking, but I didn't do too much in the end because it was too frickin' hot. It's probably the hottest part of Korea and I was there in the hottest part of the year. No matter. The temples are beautiful and the National Museum is the best one I've seen in Korea. I recommend it.

[eamo]

I've been to Jeju twice and had a great time on both occasions. However, I was with Koreans and basically just followed them around.

If you can get a Korean friend to book an online package deal it's the best way to do Jeju. I got a flights-hotel-car package for 250,000 for 3 nights. Cheap as hell. And that was June.

One problem I often find with Korean holidays is that the hotel/tourist information/restaurants-type people think all foreigners want to spend big. They don't understand the concept of "doing it on the cheap". It's a status thing with them.

[queencarmie]

[mindmetoo]

[calypso]

[queencarmie]

good point about the prices being naturally higher because it is an island, I fully expected things to be more pricey in Jeju than on the mainland, but this was ridiculous. I was more angry about the price of the Galbi which was way higher than what the menu said and the woman refusing to give me my change for the keychain that I bought.

[queencarmie]

[Zyzyfer]

Sounds like you managed to find all the wrong places. I had an awesome time when I went to Jeju Island. I actually spent less there than I did at Geomundo.

[calypso]

[queencarmie]

[bibimbap]

queencarmie had a lot of valid gripes.

it doesn't matter whether you are 'new' or not. i've been in korea for a year, and i'm still shocked at the complete lack of social skills.

i've lived and worked in four other countries, travelled around the world, and korea is truly in a class of its own.

FYI, i've heard from korean friends that guam is also a shit-hole. overused by korean vacationers and now the beaches are all disgusting.