Gigi,

At the present, I have no schedule in June, but will keep in mind 14-15 June. If I have any business in Seoul on those dates, I will PM you.

We had unusually chilly May this year, which is good news for you.

barbie~~

Quote from: barbie on May 15, 2014, 10:22:08 AM
Gigi,

At the present, I have no schedule in June, but will keep in mind 14-15 June. If I have any business in Seoul on those dates, I will PM you.

We had unusually chilly May this year, which is good news for you.

barbie~~

Great news then Barbie..if that means June could be cooler Sure, Pm me when you know...be fun to hook up with a few of you gals!!

mwah,
G

Quote from: Gigi_J on May 15, 2014, 10:00:37 AM
Aww thanks Joanne - and good luck for your date too! I'm arriving in Seoul on 12th June...have my pre-op examination on 13th June  (Friday 13th...kinda glad that's not my op day ;p)...and then have a whole weekend of being able to explore Seoul (with my mother who wanted a break abroad so am taking with me!) whilst still being able to talk (something I'm very happy about obviously!) before the op on Monday 16th. I then have an earlier post-op exam than usual (as I state in first post above).

You out there alone? Be more than happy to meet up over that weekend if you like!

Gigi

Hey gigi!!! Thank you!! And Goodluck on your operation day, dot worry about the friday 13th day, just think its a goodluck day. hehe oh, thats nice that you are taking your mother with you. I would love to take my mom but she is busy working, so i will take my friend. And yah, for sure we can meet up and have a lunch or something but im gonna be in a mute mode that time. Haha

Btw, did u book your hotel yet?  i booked the one that yeson reffered its very close to their clinic you can walk i think but its us$80, so im still checkin some cheaper places on airbnb as we are staying 12 days there. I know its a bit long! Lol ok, give me news! Cant wait for our new voice!

Quote from: barbie on May 15, 2014, 10:22:08 AM
Gigi,

At the present, I have no schedule in June, but will keep in mind 14-15 June. If I have any business in Seoul on those dates, I will PM you.

We had unusually chilly May this year, which is good news for you.

barbie~~

Hey barbie!! Yah, it would be great if you come and meet us for a lunch or something. Dont forget to let us know your june schedule!!! Thanks!:)

Quote from: Jmtl on May 16, 2014, 08:31:19 AM
Hey barbie!! Yah, it would be great if you come and meet us for a lunch or something. Dont forget to let us know your june schedule!!! Thanks!:)

Sure!

My latest schedule in Seoul is May 30-31. And Korean government is totally unpredictable, and any government official can have a business meeting at any date he/she wants, and requests my attendance.

barbie~~

Quote from: barbie on May 16, 2014, 11:39:10 AM
Sure!

My latest schedule in Seoul is May 30-31. And Korean government is totally unpredictable, and any government official can have a business meeting at any date he/she wants, and requests my attendance.

barbie~~

Yay!! Ok great!!! Thanks!! But where u usually reside?? Looks like you have to travel all the time. I hate jetlags! Lol

Quote from: Jmtl on May 16, 2014, 11:42:38 AM
Yay!! Ok great!!! Thanks!! But where u usually reside?? Looks like you have to travel all the time. I hate jetlags! Lol

I reside near the airport whose route to Seoul is the busiest in the world 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World's_busiest_passenger_air_routes

And, I fly about 100 times per year. Going to Seoul to me is like commuting everyday.

barbie~~

Quote from: barbie on May 16, 2014, 11:54:33 AM
I reside near the airport whose route to Seoul is the busiest in the world 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World's_busiest_passenger_air_routes

And, I fly about 100 times per year. Going to Seoul to me is like commuting everyday.

barbie~~

Oh wow!!! I didnt know it was the busiest airport!! Im so glad you told me , thanks!! So we would need to go more earlier for our flight to go back.

And i heard the air is pretty poluted there, we would need a mask specially after operation. And thats a lot of travelling for you. Its about an hour drive from the airport to seoul right?!

Quote from: Jmtl on May 16, 2014, 01:16:17 PM
Oh wow!!! I didnt know it was the busiest airport!! Im so glad you told me , thanks!! So we would need to go more earlier for our flight to go back.

And i heard the air is pretty poluted there, we would need a mask specially after operation. And thats a lot of travelling for you. Its about an hour drive from the airport to seoul right?!

Air is not so much bad in June. You can take a bus or subway trains, and it can take more than one hour depending on your hotel location. You need to study the routes of Seoul subway network, and purchase a prepaid public transport card.

barbie~~

Quote from: barbie on May 17, 2014, 10:29:49 AM
Air is not so much bad in June. You can take a bus or subway trains, and it can take more than one hour depending on your hotel location. You need to study the routes of Seoul subway network, and purchase a prepaid public transport card.

barbie~~

Awesome! Thank you barbie! do you know any nice beach close to seoul??

Quote from: Jmtl on May 30, 2014, 08:08:09 PM
Awesome! Thank you barbie! do you know any nice beach close to seoul??

We had severe yellow dusts during the past 3 days, which is very unusual in May. Even I did not exercise outdoors for 3 consecutive days. Weather forecast says it will be cleaner after rain next week.

No beach in Seoul, but there are many beaches within 1-3 hours of driving. A closest one is near Incheon airport. http://www.expedia.co.kr/Eulwangri-Beach-Incheon.d6143566.Place-To-Visit?rfrr=Redirect.From.www.expedia.com%252FEulwangri-Beach-Incheon.d6143566.Vacation-Attraction

A better beach in the Yellow Sea is Daecheon beach: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264510

But, if you want to see crystal-clear sea water, the eastern coast of the Korean peninsula is better. The city of Gangneung has several beaches, and you can go there by bus.
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=1070806
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264253

barbie~~

You can monitor the level of yellow dust in Seoul at the following site:

http://www.kma.go.kr/weather/asiandust/graph.jsp?area=1&stnId=201&view=1

0~30: Good
31~80: Average
81~120: Slightly bad
121~200: Bad
201 ~: Very bad

And, the next-day model forecast at:

http://www.airkorea.or.kr/airkorea/warning/main.jsp?action=dust&leftShow=yellow
(map graphics in the below. Blue denotes the level is low, no problem for your respiratory health).

barbie~~

Oh. English-version is also available.

http://web.kma.go.kr/eng/weather/asiandust/timeseries.jsp

http://web.kma.go.kr/eng/weather/asiandust/forecastchart.jsp

barbie~~

Quote from: barbie on May 31, 2014, 02:20:11 AM
We had severe yellow dusts during the past 3 days, which is very unusual in May. Even I did not exercise outdoors for 3 consecutive days. Weather forecast says it will be cleaner after rain next week.

No beach in Seoul, but there are many beaches within 1-3 hours of driving. A closest one is near Incheon airport. http://www.expedia.co.kr/Eulwangri-Beach-Incheon.d6143566.Place-To-Visit?rfrr=Redirect.From.www.expedia.com%252FEulwangri-Beach-Incheon.d6143566.Vacation-Attraction

A better beach in the Yellow Sea is Daecheon beach: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264510

But, if you want to see crystal-clear sea water, the eastern coast of the Korean peninsula is better. The city of Gangneung has several beaches, and you can go there by bus.
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=1070806
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264253

barbie~~

I'm in Seoul the week after next, worried about the heat and humidity though. I'm just not used to such hot (!) temperatures. Is the humidity very bad?
Not sure whether I'll just end up staying in the apartment the whole time I'm there with the Air Con on! 
I'd like to do a day trip to Gangneung/Gyeongpo beach but it looks like a long way nearly 3 hours each way and taxi/bus/taxi ride to get there.  I think I might wilt like a flower on the way there. 

Quote from: Charlotte on May 31, 2014, 07:14:11 AM
I'm in Seoul the week after next, worried about the heat and humidity though. I'm just not used to such hot (!) temperatures. Is the humidity very bad?
Not sure whether I'll just end up staying in the apartment the whole time I'm there with the Air Con on! 
I'd like to do a day trip to Gangneung/Gyeongpo beach but it looks like a long way nearly 3 hours each way and taxi/bus/taxi ride to get there.  I think I might wilt like a flower on the way there. 

You can see humidity and other weather status of Seoul at: http://web.kma.go.kr/eng/weather/forecast/current_korea.jsp
It is 68% now in Seoul.
Yes. Hot temperatures yesterday were the record highest in May, and it is very very unusual. Nobody suspects global warming.
Fortunately humidity is not so high and you can enjoy night outdoor activity.

As you know, taxi is very cheap here, and you can go to Gyeongpo beach by taxi after arriving Gangneung by bus. It is worth going there, and you can sightsee urban areas. You have better choose a luxurious bus, rather than a plain bus. As the last bus starts at 10:00 PM, you  will have enough time to see around Gangneung.

Sokcho is a nice alternative destination of Gangneung. http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?areaCode=32,5
It is nearly the same distance to Gangneung. If you like climbing, then Seoraksan National Park (OeSeorak) is a perfect destination, but you should get up very early. I like climbing Seorak Mt.
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264211
http://www.summitpost.org/seoraksan/729739

My favorite destination of Seorak Mt. is Ulsanbawi.
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264169
http://davidandpaul.blogspot.kr/2011/11/sokcho-city-between-mountains-and-sea.html

You may need a lot of guts to see the below at the peaks of Ulsanbawi. It is not so high compared with other famous mountains around the world, but the entire climbing trail is full of thrilling, panoramic and surreal scenes, which you can not feel from the photos.





It is easy to reach the peak. Even my little daughter could climb there when she was just 4 years old.

barbie~~

Quote from: barbie on May 31, 2014, 11:09:17 AM
You can see humidity and other weather status of Seoul at: http://web.kma.go.kr/eng/weather/forecast/current_korea.jsp
It is 68% now in Seoul.
Yes. Hot temperatures yesterday were the record highest in May, and it is very very unusual. Nobody suspects global warming.
Fortunately humidity is not so high and you can enjoy night outdoor activity.

As you know, taxi is very cheap here, and you can go to Gyeongpo beach by taxi after arriving Gangneung by bus. It is worth going there, and you can sightsee urban areas. You have better choose a luxurious bus, rather than a plain bus. As the last bus starts at 10:00 PM, you  will have enough time to see around Gangneung.

Sokcho is a nice alternative destination of Gangneung. http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?areaCode=32,5
It is nearly the same distance to Gangneung. If you like climbing, then Seoraksan National Park (OeSeorak) is a perfect destination, but you should get up very early. I like climbing Seorak Mt.
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264211
http://www.summitpost.org/seoraksan/729739

My favorite destination of Seorak Mt. is Ulsanbawi.
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264169
http://davidandpaul.blogspot.kr/2011/11/sokcho-city-between-mountains-and-sea.html

You may need a lot of guts to see the below at the peaks of Ulsanbawi. It is not so high compared with other famous mountains around the world, but the entire climbing trail is full of thrilling, panoramic and surreal scenes, which you can not feel from the photos.





It is easy to reach the peak. Even my little daughter could climb there when she was just 4 years old.

barbie~~

고마워 언니   I hope I got that right! 

Yes a luxury bus to Gangneung sounds like a good idea. Do you know how to tell the difference between a luxury bus and a regular bus in Korean?

Sokcho beach also looks pretty. 

Quote from: Charlotte on May 31, 2014, 12:13:38 PM
고마워 언니   I hope I got that right! 

Yes a luxury bus to Gangneung sounds like a good idea. Do you know how to tell the difference between a luxury bus and a regular bus in Korean?

Sokcho beach also looks pretty. 

http://www.thesouthkoreatravelguide.com/gangwon-do/busschedules/gangneung_bus-terminal-timetables.html

Superior express buses are called '우등' (pronounced as "woo deung") in Korean. Most buses are actually superior express.

There are two bus terminals in Seoul. 'Seoul' terminal is located in Gangnam, while 'Dong-Seoul (East-Seoul)' terminal is located in Gangbuk. I guess 'Seoul' terminal would be better for your trip.

barbie~~

Quote from: barbie on May 31, 2014, 02:20:11 AM
We had severe yellow dusts during the past 3 days, which is very unusual in May. Even I did not exercise outdoors for 3 consecutive days. Weather forecast says it will be cleaner after rain next week.

No beach in Seoul, but there are many beaches within 1-3 hours of driving. A closest one is near Incheon airport. http://www.expedia.co.kr/Eulwangri-Beach-Incheon.d6143566.Place-To-Visit?rfrr=Redirect.From.www.expedia.com%252FEulwangri-Beach-Incheon.d6143566.Vacation-Attraction

A better beach in the Yellow Sea is Daecheon beach: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264510

But, if you want to see crystal-clear sea water, the eastern coast of the Korean peninsula is better. The city of Gangneung has several beaches, and you can go there by bus.
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=1070806
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264253

barbie~~

Oh wow!! Lots of beaches there too. Thanks a lot for the infos barbie, i will definitely go and check those beaches there, as i have 12 days there. Cant wait!   But have to leave very early though as it is a long bus ride. I am staying close to yeson clinic , the hotel princess. Is the bus station close there?

Quote from: barbie on May 31, 2014, 11:09:17 AM
You can see humidity and other weather status of Seoul at: http://web.kma.go.kr/eng/weather/forecast/current_korea.jsp
It is 68% now in Seoul.
Yes. Hot temperatures yesterday were the record highest in May, and it is very very unusual. Nobody suspects global warming.
Fortunately humidity is not so high and you can enjoy night outdoor activity.

As you know, taxi is very cheap here, and you can go to Gyeongpo beach by taxi after arriving Gangneung by bus. It is worth going there, and you can sightsee urban areas. You have better choose a luxurious bus, rather than a plain bus. As the last bus starts at 10:00 PM, you  will have enough time to see around Gangneung.

Sokcho is a nice alternative destination of Gangneung. http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?areaCode=32,5
It is nearly the same distance to Gangneung. If you like climbing, then Seoraksan National Park (OeSeorak) is a perfect destination, but you should get up very early. I like climbing Seorak Mt.
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264211
http://www.summitpost.org/seoraksan/729739

My favorite destination of Seorak Mt. is Ulsanbawi.
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264169
http://davidandpaul.blogspot.kr/2011/11/sokcho-city-between-mountains-and-sea.html

You may need a lot of guts to see the below at the peaks of Ulsanbawi. It is not so high compared with other famous mountains around the world, but the entire climbing trail is full of thrilling, panoramic and surreal scenes, which you can not feel from the photos.





It is easy to reach the peak. Even my little daughter could climb there when she was just 4 years old.

barbie~~

This is an amazing view!!! Would love to go there too!!

Quote from: Jmtl on May 31, 2014, 01:37:38 PM

Oh wow!! Lots of beaches there too. Thanks a lot for the infos barbie, i will definitely go and check those beaches there, as i have 12 days there. Cant wait!   But have to leave very early though as it is a long bus ride. I am staying close to yeson clinic , the hotel princess. Is the bus station close there?

Yes. It is close. From Yeson to Seoul terminal, it takes about 30 min including walking. Just take subway line 3 at Apgujeong station and get off at Express Bus Terminal Station.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apgujeong_Station
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Express_Bus_Terminal_Station

barbie~~