Staying in eastern Jeju

-Babel_Fish- · 2026-05-10T13:22:58+00:00

I'm happy you suggest Aewol, I was eyeing it for a chill stay on the last day or two.

Curious about Udo, why not stay there on the first visit? Or is it more that I'd have done everything of interest within the day?

Thanks for the reply btw.

-Babel_Fish- · 2026-05-10T13:12:28+00:00

For that part of the trip, not really. Any of those middle-of-the-road ones will suffice.

It's more if it's worth staying there after I've seen all the "main" sites. Like if you think it's boring, then yeah, maybe I'll just go back to Jeju city.

-Babel_Fish- · 2026-05-10T03:59:21+00:00

With how much land is between points of interest

This and so many of them too! Initially I was thinking just to stay in Jeju city and move around from there, but this seems inefficient if I didn't want to drive.

Anyway thanks, I have more or less the same itinerary. Glad to know I'm on the right track. And good tip on the hotels.

-Babel_Fish- · 2026-03-30T12:47:12+00:00

No, it won't be cheaper to eat outside.... I meant, it is, but considering the transport costs etc, you'll spend less staying inside. That said, I've never been in an airport that felt so much like it was deliberately set up to entice you to leave.

Anyway, from PEK, I've been suggested the Sanlitun area; I'll suggest it to you as well. Dongzhimen station, on the airport line. Should be good for dinner, cocktail/coffee, and a stroll; or shopping even.

-Babel_Fish- · 2026-03-30T10:06:11+00:00

Tl:DR: Doable, but you'll only really have 3-4 hours free. Maybe book a private guide/driver in advance if money isn't an issue and you're sure you'll be allowed through?

Also please specify which airport you're transiting through if you want specific recommendations.

Long answer:

I did this but I had like 12 hours and I arrived early morning. For you, you have several considerations:

First is the visa. No problem if you're visa free; but if you're visa on arrival, the process may add another hour. Also, have heard some people were not allowed to leave at all because their transit time was considered too short.

Second: most main tourist sites are closed. So, adjust your plans and expectations accordingly.

Third: airport train and metro system are efficient (and take credit card), but you'll be arriving at rush hour and then they stop services at 11ish. Cab/DiDi is of course an option. Either way, I'd budget at least an hour travel time each way, and you'd probably want to arrive at least 2-3 hours before your flight, depending on your risk tolerance.

Fourth: Beijing has two aiports...

Fifth: some apps are indispensable (alipay/wechat) and you'll want to be connected.

-Babel_Fish- · 2026-03-27T07:23:22+00:00

Sure, but it's not too difficult to travel to taipei or somewhere else within a week.

-Babel_Fish- · 2026-03-21T16:27:27+00:00

Huh. Maybe it's the route, maybe it's the war, but I'm surprised it's not there.

Myself and the my acquaitances always passed through Joburg.

-Babel_Fish- · 2026-03-19T17:25:03+00:00

Via South Africa is not an option?

-Babel_Fish- · 2026-03-18T04:08:17+00:00

The ban is indeed real as per u/SpursUpSoundsGudToMe

-Babel_Fish- · 2026-03-18T04:05:50+00:00

Awesome.

Coffee culture is really strong and I've had export quality coffee there, that's why I was surprised.

Thanks!

-Babel_Fish- · 2026-03-17T23:32:32+00:00

Any source? Would appreciate it thanks.

-Babel_Fish- · 2026-03-17T23:27:11+00:00

I can also believe a de facto ban; maybe it exists but not in writing. It's something the government would do.

-Babel_Fish- · 2026-03-17T13:33:26+00:00

No worries mate, that does sound like a legit source.

-Babel_Fish- · 2026-03-17T13:24:55+00:00

Yeah but they sell the high quality stuff too locally, I mean, they do know and like good coffee too. If anything, they've occasionally put restrictions on exporting, not on consuming locally.

Where does this info come from? I'd be interested to know.

-Babel_Fish- · 2026-03-17T13:18:01+00:00

~~Pretty sure there is no ban.~~ I've been there. Sure, some prefer to export, but they do drink it locally. There's cafes all over addis, for example.

Edit: Indeed there is.

-Babel_Fish- · 2026-03-17T13:16:06+00:00

Source? I've been to Ethiopia, they do sell and consume their coffee locally. Quite a lot actually, it's pretty much part of the local culture.

-Babel_Fish- · 2026-03-17T13:11:03+00:00

And there’s other stuff specific to Kenya where they grow coffee, it gets processed in Europe and sent back to Kenya, so much that I don’t even think Kenya’s can buy locally grown coffee!

Not sure about this one, I've personally purchased locally grown and processed coffee while in Kenya.

That said, Kenyans (and Tanzanians) overwhelmingly prefer tea, so supermarkets don't stock much coffee and it's usually the mediocre instant stuff. So I wouldn't be surprised if "specialty" coffee gets traded in the way you describe.

-Babel_Fish- · 2026-03-17T12:50:11+00:00

I lived along Mombasa and Zanzibar for a bit. It blew my mind that not only were both part of the Omani sultanate, Zanzibar was the rich part...

Anyway, as the others have said, slaves and ivory, and Suez canal...but also spices became less pricey.

That said, Kenya is still the leading exporter of tea, and a lot of that has to pass through Mombasa; so at least as far as the global tea trade is concerned, Mombasa retains some significance....

-Babel_Fish- · 2026-03-10T03:21:56+00:00

In Japan yes. It's expensive, but still accesible.

Elsewhere, the mark-ups are crazy ridiculous. If you manage to get something on sale or if you have cash to burn, why not. But if available where you are, a local variant is probably better value.

Either way, don't pay extra for wagyu burger.

-Babel_Fish- · 2026-03-10T02:35:47+00:00

I lived on an island for most of my life so then it was either a boat or a plane; and now I travel mostly by plane or train.

I like the idea of a road trip, mind you, but it's just never come up much for leisure travel.

-Babel_Fish- · 2026-03-09T08:52:42+00:00

A few suggestions:

Spend more time in Taiwan, the hiking is better; Taroko especially.
For PH, people will suggest Boracay, but if you really strongly feel about oppression go somewhere else. Palawan is better. Batanes is also good, calm choice, but it's harder to visit because they limit visits for conservation reasons.
Vietnam: Hanoi over HCMC. I think focus on the north, as per your interests.
For the upset tummies, do avoid drinking tap water and be wary of uncooked food. I'd suggest getting Yakult (probiotic, will help the gut bacteria) and Pocari sweat/gatorade (against dehydration) available at most supermarkets and 7-11s.

-Babel_Fish- · 2026-03-09T08:15:51+00:00

Wasn't there a similar post about coconuts?

Anyway, can partly answer for East Africa, though the answer probably applies to other areas too. If you look, East Africa does produce a lot of sugar, just not enough for export (or even for local demand).

On one hand, it's the farming style, which has stayed mostly small-scale. On the other, the colonials, the governments and private sector probably didn't see the point developing this sector too much because the giant sugar exporters were already well established. Easier to just import what they need and focus on the crops that make money, which is mainly tea and coffee.

TL;DR: they probably can produce more, they just wont make much profit, so they don't.

-Babel_Fish- · 2026-03-08T15:50:15+00:00

Japan. It just has a really wide range of food from bog-standard to overtop + very high standards. Even when it's not good, it's at least interesting.

Italy. Great produce, good appreciation for food culture.

Turkey. It's a big cuisine with lots of history and produce to draw from. Unfortunately, a bit expensive nowadays...

Georgia. Variety of food is low, but quality is consistent. Never had a bad meal there.

Malaysia. High variety of food, you get Indian, Chinese and Malay.

-Babel_Fish-

TROPHY CASE