magazine

5 Ways to See Busan in a Weekend

Filed under Busan, SOLO TRAVEL by Christine Ka'aloa on May 6, 2010 at 2:46 pm {3 comments}

Small fishing boat dock in Haeundae

11PM Friday-
I didn’t know if I wanted to Busan for the weekend and to do it solo! What did I know about Busan other than it’s on the Korean coast and probably has boats? Solution: Sleep on it and see how I feel in the morning.

9:30 AM Saturday-
I woke up and realized- Ding! Yes, I wanted to go. So, off I went! My travel choices can feel that impulsive and random at times. My sightseeing itinerary however, was a giant question mark.

On the train over, my quick-sketch brain drew 3 main goals for my two-day trip:
a) Experience sleeping at a jjimjilbang
b) Explore the Jalgachi Fish Market
c) Take a walk along Haeundae Beach.

What I experienced within this two day weekend was much much more… (more…)

Solo Korea: 4 Reasons to become a Solo Weekend Travel Warrior!

Filed under Busan, SOLO TRAVEL by Christine Ka'aloa on May 5, 2010 at 3:50 pm {no comments}

Korea is a pretty safe country to travel if you’re a woman. But being a solo traveler – difficult and delightful can share the same coin. While I thoroughly enjoy relaxing into bonding with fellow EPIKers on group day trips as we weather the inevitable culture shock together; excursions alone while initially dreaded, gives me valuable time to explore, grow and reflect upon my new cultural surroundings at a relaxed pace. Plus, I get to take out the DSLR!

But… I don’t always gave ample time to research my cities. If I’m doing a weekend or day trip, researching accommodations and train times are my only afforded concerns. Why? Take my recent 2-day weekend trip to Busan. I (more…)

Sleeping at a Jjimjilbang (a Korean bathhouse & sauna)

Filed under * Korea tips & stays, Busan by Christine Ka'aloa on May 3, 2010 at 5:17 am {7 comments}

Spending a night on the wooden floor of a jjimjilbang. Photo: Grrrltraveler.
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Where can you sleep for cheap in Korea? For travelers and expats, here’s a cultural and budget tip for you…

A friend once mentioned staying overnight at a jjimjilbang as a way to hurdle hotel costs (which may run anywhere from a low $18-40). Those wishing a weekend getaway to visit friends in other cities or just to tour more regions in Korea, a jjimjilbang is a perfect way to do it, while getting an inside peek at Korean culture. Jjimjilbangs are popular with Koreans; it’s a 24-hour public bathhouse (read here) and board. Some jimjilbangs are enormous and grand, featuring many amenities to occupy your day; others may just offer a simple setting. A jjimjilbang isn’t elite but is like a gym or spa with an open membership. (more…)