Originally Posted by flyred

Hey Joe. I'm landing in ICN on the 16th. I may have to meet a friend in Seoul so I need a hotel in the financial distict near one of those Korean Bath houses you talk about. Any recommendations? Someplace with safe parking.

Originally Posted by flyred

Since I will be riding Rt 6 heading to Rt 44 a recommendation safe hotel along that route would be great. My friend lives in Yongsan-gu.
I have already spent several days looking at hotels in Seoul. But Seoul is just one stop on a 12,000 mile trip. A bigger problem for me now is a trucking strike in Vancouver that might delay shipping my bike and 100,000 Russian soldiers along the Ukraine border.

Originally Posted by chip8150

Hi Joe - I don't have enough posts to send you a PM. We are traveling through S. Korea next week and will be spending Monday 7/21 and Tuesday nights in Seoul. We are booked on the DBS ferry for Sunday, July 27th so have some time to explore the S. Korea countryside. We have full camping gear and plan to look for interesting places to camp once we depart Seoul.

If you are available Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday to meet for coffee, wine etc. we would enjoy meeting and getting advice on your country. We are clearing the bikes through customs on Wednesday. Your thread on S. Korea has been very helpful in planning this portion of the journey and is very much appreciated.

My email is chip8150@me.com. I hope we get the chance to meet.

Best,
Chip

Originally Posted by Boatdoc

Hi SeoulJoe,

We were quite happy to see the Pacific today in Vladivostok after leaving the Atlantic in Europe two months ago. We will be on the Wed DBS ferry and hope to meet you for coffee and a chat later this week or early next week. How does your schedule look?

Yesterday we saw quite a contingent of adventure riders heading west. Mostly the road was fine, but a few of the construction zones were quite dusty due to the traffic.

All the best,
Paul

Originally Posted by seouljoe

We Koreans are one of the worst drivers in the world, I am shamed to say ,,
Our drivers test system is a farce.
For those, who are already in the country or arriving soon ,, please read following ,,,
1) At four way stop lights ,, always count 1,2,3 then take a good look left and right before taking off,, even though the light is green in your favor ,,,
2) If you are in the center lane always be aware of some schmuck making a U-Turn in front of you,,
3) Seoul or Busan ,, our streets are a nation of U-Turns ,, due to bad city planning,, Many times you have to make a U-Turn to go where you want to go ,, and it is clearly marked,,,
I have seen this in Poland,Spain and Croatia ,, sucks ,,
4) YOU can not ride on the national free ways , so call autobahn or motorway,,, there also are numerous car only local express ways ,, this you can ride with heart's content ,, cops will not bother ,, especially with foreign license...
5) Right after lunch hour and after 8PM, on rural roads,,, look for drunks ,, people drink and drive,, although it is getting better,, I too am guilty of this
6) Lock your bikes tight ,, young school kids think it is funny to rip off bikes, for a joy ride,, and all they get is a slap on the wrist by police,,,, 14 year old son of my friend, who is a famous doctor stoled a scooter last year,, funny wealthier neighborhood ,, more frequent.
7) Always be aware of other bikes ,, making deliveries and couriers sneaking up right behind you ,,
8) Frigging taxis will cut right in front of you to rush for the passenger on the curb,, they are bike killers ,,
9) Bus ,, stay away from buses ,, they are under heavy time schedule and no idea, what they will do ,,
10) White lining is allowed in Korea for bikes ,, I also use bus lanes a lot, when there is a heavy traffic.
11) During rainy season ,, on the hills ,, gravel gets washed down and many of curves are covered with this ,, be careful ,,
12) On winding road ,, look for cars that cross the center lane ,, Recently riding in Croatia along the coast ,, I had many frightening experience ,,

Originally Posted by daz1964

Hi Joe

After living and riding in Korea since earlier this year I fully support your notes and advice.

For riders coming to Korea, stick to Joe's recommendations and riding can be safe and very enjoyable in Korea. There are some wonderful rides and gorgeous scenery, I love it

If anyone is coming near Busan or Geoje Island, please get in contact and we can catch up for a ride , a chat and a

Cheers Daz

Originally Posted by seouljoe

Thanks buddy ,,
Years ago 1984,, ,, when Korean heavy industry was taking off ,, as the Asia manager for Mammoet BV, Nedlloyd,, using special submersible ships.. I used to go to Geojaedo ,, Dae Woo and Sam Sung shipyards ,, for transporting heavy modules and finished structures ,, to Anacortes , North Sea and Gulf of Mexico.

Used to fly in on a private helicopter,,
Love the place,, sea every where,,, beautiful sunsets... now , it is over,, as you have noticed,, Workers in Geojae and Ulsan ,, GDP is USD 68,000 per head ,, far higher than USD 55,000, for USA.
Not bad for a war torn country,, screwed by Japanese,, for 40 years ,, size of Deleware,, dwindling population due to old age,,, importing foreign workes en masse.

The most Harley Davidson at USD 35,000 per pop ,, sold in Korea are in Geojae and Ulsan FYI.

Make sure you look me up when you come upto Seoul.

Originally Posted by harthel2011

Hello Seouljoe,
I'm in Japan and would like to travel to South Korea. On Friday I tried to get a ticket for my bike from Germany for the ferry from Shimonoseki to Busan. My FIA Carnet was not accepted. I would have an ATA carnet have, which is not according to my information for vehicles. Can you help me?
Hartmut

Originally Posted by Walkabout

If you check out Seouljoe's user name you will see it is "greyed out" which means that he is banned from the HUBB.
Who knows when he will be allowed back or even if he would want to return.

I suggest that you try sending a PM to him, on the assumption that would still work, or contact one or other of the local communities in here.