JayDavis From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 2000 posts, RR: 17 Posted (10 years 8 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 1914 times:
Just found out from my office manager on Thursday of this week, that I have been rewarded with a trip to Korea. They want me to experience our flight from DFW to ICN and see the new ICN Airport. I'll fly out on Sept. 21, 2002 and I can't wait!! I will also get to go to Busan and one other city which I can't pronounce or spell, yet!!
My question is this, what all would you "experienced" Pacific travelers recommend I look for in terms of stuff to buy in Korea that has a good price?
I've heard that silk items and leather items are very cheap over there, along with Coach purses (for my wife). Are electronics cheap there? What about a great price on a laptop? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated and also any web sites you can suggest for traveling/shopping tips.
I'll fly the B-777 over and get to fly the 747-400 back to JFK so that should be awesome in C class!! Sure wish I could upgrade to P/F class from ICN back to JFK but that won't be a possibility.
Jcs17 From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 8065 posts, RR: 43 Reply 2, posted (10 years 8 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 1879 times:
Get some pirated software! Although, I dont know if you can get it in Seoul, when I went to Hong Kong in 1997, I came back with a suitcase full of PlayStation games and they all worked fine.
JayDavis From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 2000 posts, RR: 17 Reply 3, posted (10 years 8 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 1886 times:
Someone at one time did mention this type of thing, about getting pirated software............I'm not a "game player" though, but I also heard you could get very cheap DVD's over there..........my friend got Adobe Photoshop 7.0 upgrade in China for $5.00 and it works fine!
On the other hand, I read a story in the USA Today newspaper earlier this year that was detailing the trip the Washington Redskins made to Japan. One of the players bought some DVD's that had been pirated and they didn't work in his DVD player on the way back home.
I wonder if he could try using a black felt tip marker like that person who figured out how to circumvent the Sony anti-copying program they had spent millions on for music CD's????
Rai From Canada, joined Feb 2008, 0 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (10 years 8 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 1884 times:
AWESOME!!! I just came back from Korea and have totally fallen in love with that country! Great food, great people, great women, and great times! And Korea is very, very affordable.
Korean Air is an outstanding airline with great food (for the most part -- avoid their chicken dish!!!) and phenomenal service.
In terms of where to shop in Seoul and what to buy, go to Yongsan for electronics. Prices there are cheap. You may have to go with a local for some negotiating as many of the vendors don't speak English. Go to Dongdaemun Stadium for clothes and shoes shopping. Good price and good quality. There are many other shopping areas that would take too long to mention! I can tell you through e-mail if you'd like.
Busan is a beautiful city, as it's on the coast, but it's horrible organized. Traffic there is about as close to hell as you can picture.
As far as getting a cheap labtop, you won't find any special deals there. Computer prices are par with what you'd pay in the states. You can get a labtop with the same specs for about half the price in Japan.
Before you go, check out . It's a very informative page.
Oh, avoid Itaewan for shopping. Lots of foreigners live there and they generally jack up the prices for them. It has a good expat nightlife though.
If you have any questions about Korea, please e-mail me.
Rai
P.S. You said once you work for KAL. Are they hiring?
JayDavis From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 2000 posts, RR: 17 Reply 6, posted (10 years 8 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 1833 times:
Thanks for the tips !!
All I know about is the office I work in and they are not hiring. All hiring is done locally.
FTraveler From United States of America, joined May 2001, 72 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (10 years 8 months 3 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 1818 times:
Just remember, Seoul is a huge city. 12 million people. Traffic can be horrendous. If you have time, visit the royal palaces - Toksugung, Kyongbokkung, and Changdokkung. Also visit the War Memorial Museum next to Yongsan Army base - artifacts of war from ancient Korea to the Korean War. They even have a MiG-17 on display - you can look into the cockpit, as welll as a B-52, tanks and other military equipment. There are a lot of counterfeit items - Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Rolex. If U.S. Customs spots them, they will be confiscated.
Custom made clothes are cheap. I have a tailor in Itaewon that will make a custom suit to my specifications for about $175. Custom long sleeve shirts for $16.
The largest denomination bill is 10,000 Korean Won, roughly equivalent to $8.40. Korea is a cash society. Although majro establishments do accept credit cards, cash is preferred. Taxis are cheap. American fast foods such as McDonalds and KFC are all over the place.
JayDavis From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 2000 posts, RR: 17 Reply 8, posted (10 years 8 months 3 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 1789 times:
Where is your tailor? I need some new dress shirts anyway! Worn mine out...........
Thanks for the tips!
I know the won is so devalued over the $$$
Hard to figure out the prices...........
AA61hvy From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 13975 posts, RR: 59 Reply 10, posted (10 years 8 months 3 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 1779 times:
jay-dont go and party! i would recommend going to a tailor, although the ones in hong kong are better to me. i would get some rip off cd's and dvds. but alot of it is faulty.. have fun
ScottysAir From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 11, posted (10 years 8 months 3 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 1771 times:
Jay,
Made sure that you don't forget it to take a cabin shot inside with KE aircraft by B777 and B747-400 aircraft as for itself. I want to see it with the cabin shot and putting it up on the airliners.net as for yourself. Hope you will enjoy have a great time into Korea trip. Please put on the your trip reports on the your returns from Seoul, Korea. Thanks!
JayDavis From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 2000 posts, RR: 17 Reply 12, posted (10 years 8 months 3 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 1740 times:
What, me party? I would "never" do such a thing!
I'm always in bed by 9.00 o'clock !! wink, wink !!
As for getting some cabin shots, I'll try. What would you recommend for that shot? An 85mm f-1.8 or a would you go with a 28-70mm f-2.8?
I need to get some of these shirts.
Speaking of DVD's, anybody have any ideas on getting a few "cheap" ones before going over? I have the movie "Seven" that I got for free when I got my laptop, but I'd like to take a couple of more and don't want to pay a lot. Any ideas?
Thanks guys and I'll make sure I give a trip report. That is one of the main reasons going, my company, Korean Air, wants me to experience the in-flight service and see the new Incheon Airport so that will help me become a better sales manager for them in my job.
Thanks to all! I'll also make sure to take plenty of photos while in Korea of our 777's, 747's and new 737's !!
Manni From South Korea, joined Nov 2001, 4221 posts, RR: 23 Reply 13, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 1650 times:
Most of things have been said by the others, just a few more things, if you're looking for a real good night out go to the club in the Hyatt Hotel near Namsan Park, probaply the most trendy place in town (and the most expensive one, but admission is free). Nice brand goods (no fake) you can get in Myong-Dong (comparable with Tokyo's Ginza) and Lotte department store. No need to look for fastfood restaurants, Seoul has plenty of nice and cheap restaurants serving all kinds of delicious food, Kimpap, Kimchi, Tapoki (can be very hot), cold noodles,...
BTW, is the other city perhaps Kyongu? Ancient Korea's capital.
Manni From South Korea, joined Nov 2001, 4221 posts, RR: 23 Reply 15, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 1640 times:
Could be possible to, perhaps Jay Davis will tell us later.
I went for Kyongu because of the historical sites over there. Always nice to know what you're talking about when you're trying to sell a trip to South Korea (perhaps sometimes with an excursion to Kyongu). But Cheju is nice aswell offcourse.
JayDavis From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 2000 posts, RR: 17 Reply 16, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 1604 times:
It is the island of Cheju......and it is to see the training facility over there. I'm so excited I can hardly wait.
Manni, that nice club in the Hyatt, how is the scenery? I'm a disco dancing fool, is that a fun place to go?
I'll expense the drinks !! ha ha !!
Rai From Canada, joined Feb 2008, 0 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 1599 times:
For drinks, and a good view, go to 63, which is Seoul's tallest building, located close to Yeouinaru station. You have to pay to go to the observation deck on the 60th floor, but there's a bar on the 59th floor. Also, check out Seoul Tower. It's this tower on top of a mountain (I don't know the name). On a clear day, it affords a beautiful view of the city (even better at night). There is a revolving resturant that serves drinks. Drinks are expensive there, though!
SJC-Alien From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 919 posts, RR: 1 Reply 18, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 1575 times:
HAY!!!!!! ..it's a good way to get your own Airline 'Babe photos" enroute...ask them to 'pose' in the aisle ways, etc,,,,,,,,you can ask for 'others' who may want their photo taken when you get a different crew......etc,,,,,great way to start your own webpage,,,,get some initial start-up photos,,,,and you'd be surprised how fast this would take off..!!!! along w/your wife.......!!! Ha Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaa,,just teasing there on the last part, JayDAvis...
KAL_LM From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 497 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 1565 times:
Jay, it this a FAM trip? If it is, you're a lucky dog they're real nice, everyone else in my office has gone, but all I get to do is go for training.
Jeju (Cheju) Island is real nice this time of year. The training center is OK but the folk village is atrociously boring (unless you are into that kind of thing), be warned. Also I agree with the others, don't go to Itaewon, the prices are jacked up. Although, I'll have to admit I got a great deal on a suit there (USD 250.00, with shirt, and they even shipped it back to me).
Also, check with the staff at check-in if they can do anything to upgrade you since you are staff (a buddy of mine got upped to business the last trip I was on, just for asking...) especially if you are nice to them...
Have Fun!
regards,
Tom (KE in PDX)
is that a light at the end of the tunnel or just a train?
Manni From South Korea, joined Nov 2001, 4221 posts, RR: 23 Reply 20, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 1537 times:
Seoul Tower is called Namsan Tower. The scenery in the disco is just perfect. With lots of HOT chicks.The club stretces out trough a lot of rooms and levels and has a nice terras overlooking the city. The Hyatt is located on a hill. Upstairs in the hotel lobby is the Pianobar, a very nice place to relax with a drink if you want a break from all the noise in the club. You dont need to stay in the hotel to go to these places. Drinks are about 8000 to 10000 won, roughly 8 to 10 dollars. Have fun.
Airbus Lover From Malaysia, joined Apr 2000, 3248 posts, RR: 10 Reply 21, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 1525 times:
what are you guys talking bout? pirated software? then it is of course Malaysia that comes first! or maybe Thailand and Vietnam.But in Malaysia there are lots of variety for pirated or we call them 'fake' music CDs, VCDs, DVDs, PS, PS2 games, PC games etc...
i mean i have even traded those stuff with some1 for airline stuff!!!
music cds are like $3 each and VCDs $1.50 (or high quality $2) DVDs $3 and games are like $2 each CD. but i have to say that the games and movies are fine unless the movie (on DVD or VCD) you buy is pretty new which means they will then shoot it from the cinemas. If not, it will be copies from original VCDs or DVDs.
email me if you want those stuff i can trade them with airline stuff....
email: tzeweip@time.net.my
oh and is this the civil forum? it should have been in aviation hobby but oh well since every1 is talking abt it here... well...
CF-CPI From Canada, joined Nov 2000, 849 posts, RR: 0 Reply 23, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 1457 times:
By all means go to the Korean BBQ, it is a cook-at-your table style and has a unique taste. And you will not leave there hungry. I have only experienced this in North America so I envy you getting it in Korea. Have fun.
SJC-Alien From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 919 posts, RR: 1 Reply 24, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 1423 times:
.......sounds like you may need a 747-400F for the return trip...
ALIEN
25 AirNewZealand: Hey Guys... I myself am back off to Korea again in Nov 2002. I also fell instantly in love with the country when going their! It is fabulous! And with
26 Rai: and the traffic is not that bad! Smog is a problem though!! Dude, I love Korea and would love to live there for a few years, but traffic is hell! That
27 L-188: I have been told that Korea is a pretty easy place to make E-5 in the Army.... You just have to be an E-6 before you go over If you wheren't in the US
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