Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Captain Corea]

Well, summer season is fast approcahing at that means a lot of teachers out there are lining up to buy discount tickets from travel agents (hoping against hope it'll all work out).

I thought I'd let the experience on this board shine through and let some of those "new to Asia/the pacific" in on the good places to get sand in between the cheeks.




My two cents:

Koh Phi Phi

In my opinion this is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. I've been twice (2001, 2003) and loved it both times. It is breath taking in both its sand and its water. Swimming is great and snorkling is easy. The bay empties out at low tide and there is always a place to catch some rays.

The prices can range from $15 USD to $100 USD per night but it really depends on season and what you are looking for. I went once in Dec. and got a two bed room with AC and bath for about $30 (a walk through the streets to the beach) while in July I found a bungalo (RIGHT on the beach) with fan and bath for about the same. Usually though you'll find the price doubles for peak season (Nov-Feb).

All is not perfect there though; the prices are higher than other islands in Thailand and you have to search harder for the deals. As well I punctured my foot strolling around in the low tide areas and had to get some nasty shots on the island. bah!

Also, i have not ben back since the Tsunami so I cannot comment on its current condition/prices.


Boracay

Boracay (in the Philippines) was a bit of a surprise. I really expected it to be a totally run down tourist place but it was actually quite decent (I went in 2004). The main beach is nice and not too crowded. If you look past the occasional hawker and the guards with machine guns, I'm sure you'll have a good time!

I did some scuba diving there, and while it was not amazing it was cheap (I got a deal) and the guys were friendly. Actually a large portion of the island is geared towards the "seasonal tourist". That being, whatever tourist is in season. When I went the Koreans were in season and Korean signs and such were everywhere. The locals told me this changes as per the month. For the most part it was not a problem but I'm pretty sure I bumped a few Ajumma out of my way

The pricing is a little odd. I was staying "way off" the beach (a place that had been booked by a philippino co-worker) and honestly felt a little ripped off. For the life of me I can't remember the price but it was close to $30 USD a night. I remember though seeing vacancy signs close to the beach for a lot less.

If you can handle seeing guards with big guns then the Philippines might be the place for you. There seemed to be less begging and more bartering but that could just be because of the bums being "shoo'ed" off by the guards.





So, anyone else have any suggestions for beaches/places to go this year?

[animalbirdfish]

Bump for the Summer....


The wife and I are planning a vacation for September, just to let the Korean tourist season air out a bit. Anyone got any other recommendations, a year later?

[VanIslander]

Winter is the time to fly to southeast asia to enjoy its beaches.
Summer is the time to enjoy the many good beaches here in Korea.

Gyeongpodae, near Gangneung, on the East coast is considered by Koreans to be one of the best beaches, but like Haeundae, it isn't, it's simply one of the most crowded, with bikinis to impress my adult male students, water sports, scooter rentals, etc.

I went there last Saturday and it was alright but not in my Top-10 for this country.


On Sunday I was at a beach north of Sokcho, Hwaijinpo, which you can see in this picture, across the bridge joining a fresh water lagoon/lake with the coast:

Also not in my Top-10 but very nice, with plenty of restaurants, accommodation, music, even a building with an aquarium, though these kinds of touristy things lower my estimation of it as a great beach.

It's summertime! get out and explore the many beaches in this country, especially the south coast, and islands like Geoje, Namhae, Wando's far coast, Sinjido, Bogildo, etc... Jeju's beaches are nice, like here I was two weekends ago, Hyopjae beach:

Was way too crowded when I arrived on Saturday afternoon (duh) but Monday early morning it was very nice, even though smaller and not as warm as the beaches on the southern coast of the mainland.

There should be a book about the Top100 beaches in Korea because, believe me, there are many that people like me gladly keep a secret

[Tiberious aka Sparkles]

A lesser wit would post something Bette Midler/Barbara Hershey-related.

I will not do that.

_*_

[flotsam]

[VanIslander]

[The Chewbacca Defense]

hands down....the best friggin thread ever....worth a sticky!!!!