Korea Bucket List – 15 Must See Places in Korea

I reached out to my travel blogger friends to see who had been to South Korea and what amazing place or experience they think should be on everyone’s “Korea Bucket List.” I’m really happy with the responses and I think they made a pretty good list.


WheresSharon.com This information is by Sharon from Where’s Sharon? (and Joshua, Soraya and Isaac), a blog originally about Sharon’s journeys around the world, but now about exploring the world with two little ones in tow – the good, the bad and the (hopefully not too) ugly.  You can also find them on Facebook.

DMZ WheresSharon.com

Looking across the border to North Korea. The line on the ground between the two blue UN buildings is the border.

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The Men of Haeundae Beach

As you learned in my last post, Haeundae Beach (Busan, South Korea) in the summer is more than a little overwhelming. If you find yourself at this chaotic beach in summer, my advice is to soak up the scenery…

Men of Haeundae

… then head towards the Westin Chosun Hotel.

Don’t forget to people watch along the way!

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Take a left just as you see the Westin and head towards the rocky end of the beach. Once there, it’s now time to check out what I’ve decided to call, “The Men of Haeundae.” They are an interesting bunch!

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Say WHAT?!

Cute iPhone cases are all the rages in South Korea, but this one caught me off guard…

i heart porn phone case Korea

The back is weird enough, but SCROLL DOWN to see what the front says!

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Say WHAT?!

My dear friends Mendi and Melissa are visiting me in Korea. We have been having a great time wandering around my neighborhood. We saw some AMAZING things, but it wasn’t until the end of the night that we saw something that made us speechless. But Melissa still managed to pose for a photo…

Engrish Mustache Rides

Say WHAT?!

Say WHAT?!

This week for Say WHAT?! Wednesday, I’m going to reveal why buying this gift bag (found at a stationary supply store in South Korea) could link you to a terrorist organization. Click on the photo for the reveal.

taliban

I don’t know about you, but this made me Say WHAT?!

(Disclaimer: Nothing in this post will link you to a terrorist organization. It’s just a joke based on the weird English found on this bag.)

Say WHAT?!

It’s Say WHAT?! Wednesday again! That means I get to share with you more bad English or weird things that I’ve seen during my time in South Korea.

Just in case you missed last week, CLICK HERE to check out the crazy shirt I caught one of my 6th graders wearing to school!

“BABY IN CAR” type signs have been popular in many places in the world at one time or another and they are all the rage in Korea at the moment. It was no surprise to me that the large stationary chain in town was selling them, but nothing could have prepared me for this…

Baby [with axe] in car!

To me, it screams, “Don’t drive like a jerk because I have a baby with an axe inside the car and there’s no telling what he might do!” Personally, I find babies with axes terrifying. And this one in particular kind of looks like a badass.

Don’t forget: CLICK HERE to see last week’s Say WHAT?! Wednesday.

Spa Sarojin, Old Downtown Ulsan

Unfortunately, it seems as though Spa Sarojin has closed. The Thai restaurant on the first floor is still open.

Have you ever walked by this building in Old Downtown? It is the host of a barbecue, wedding planner, coffee shop, a pretty good Thai restaurant, and spa, all sharing the Sarojin name.

Spa Sarojin

The spa is on the 3rd floor. Before walking through the door, make sure you take your shoes off and put on a pair of the provided slippers.

You’ll be greeted with a smile by the manager of the spa. Her English name is Lyndsey. She speaks English fairly well so as long as you’re patient, communication shouldn’t be a problem. When I initially went in for information, she gave me their spa menu in Korean and told me the very basics of each treatment. I took the menu home and translated it into English (scroll to the bottom of the post for the menu/price list).

My experience was quite interesting. After changing into my gown, I realized I wasn’t told how to lay in the bed so I just sat there and waited. The two Thai massage therapists and the manager all came into the room and helped me get situated.

I had booked a Basic Body Treatment Massage and a Trouble Therapy Facial. They started with the back massage. Both therapists stayed in the room, but only one was working on me. The therapist started out straddling me on the bed and the massage was really relaxing. Once she hopped down off the bed she started using what felt like her elbows. It hurt so much, but I can only blame myself. When asked, I said I wanted it “a little bit strong.” I don’t think the Thai girls spoke English well because they didn’t understand me telling them that it was hurting (I think they thought I was saying I was hot). If you don’t like feeling elbows running down each of your back ribs and shoulder blades, repeatedly, then I suggest you mention that to Lyndsey before your massage. I told her that it was painful afterwards and I’ll definitely ask them to take it much easier on me next time.

The facial felt amazing! It was so relaxing. The best part was the face and scalp massage. I felt more relaxed during that bit than I ever have during a massage or facial before. If you want extractions, you need to ask beforehand. Just say “black heads” instead of extractions and she should understand what you want.

Overall, I’m very pleased with Spa Sarojin and I will definitely be going back. Next time I’ll be sure to say I’d like a very gentle massage. 😉

PLEASE NOTE: Spa Sarojin only takes cash. They do not take credit cards.

Facials

A. Basic Care

B. Anti Aging & Lifting

C. Trouble Therapy

D. V Line Contouring

Duration

60 Minutes

60 Minutes

60 Minutes

60 Minutes

Price

40,000 won

40,000 won

60,000 won

60,000 won

Sarojin Gold Facials

E. Whitening Care

 F. Blue Caviar Therapy

Program

PH balance, intensive moisturizing,                              promotes cell regeneration, whitening

Promotes lymphatic circulation,                                 strengthens skin elasticity

Duration

60 Minutes

60 Minutes

Price

80,000 won

80,000 won

Massage Treatments

G. Basic Body Treatment

H. Slimming

I. Body Scrub Treatment

Thai Massage

Program

Back & lower body aroma massage, muscle relaxation

Forearm, abdomen, thighs and calves: Improves circulation, helps detoxify the body

Sauna, aromatherapy body massage, muscle relaxation, exfoliating

Thai Yoga Massage/Therapy

Duration

60 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

 120 minutes

Price

60,000 won

60,000 won

70,000 won

120,000 won

30 Minute Massage

J. Scalp

K. Feet

L. Abdomen

M. Back

N. Legs

30 Minutes

30 Minutes

30 Minutes

30 Minutes

30 Minutes

40,000 won

40,000 won

40,000 won

40,000 won

40,000 won

Lyndsey also told me that if you pay for 10 treatments upfront, you will get a discount or many many service-uh! If you’ve been in Korea long enough, you know that’s Konglish for freebies. I asked if you can buy the package and share it and she said that’s fine. The package I bought was 500,000 won and she said that it will give me a 700,000 won credit. That should last Dave and I awhile.

Spa Sarojin
11:00am – 10:00pm
Closed Wednesdays

Phone: 070-8258-4668

PLEASE NOTE: Spa Sarojin only takes cash. They do not take credit cards.

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So hard to say goodbye!

There’s one thing that’s certain when living in Korea…

Your friends will move home! I’ve had to say goodbye to a lot of great friends over the past two years.

In February, Korea lost some more great people. Faith, Anushka and Genessa all moved home. We had a going away party for them at a norabang (Korean singing room/karaoke). It was a lot of fun. I’m definitely going to miss those girls!

Hope they don’t kill me for posting this!

Cherry Blossoms be a blossomin’

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One of my favorite times of year in Korea is when the trees go from looking barren and dead to this…

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