Korean experiences

Coming from Japan as we did, by ferry, (South) Korea was quite a different experience from Japan. The (fast) ferry journey itself was just so typically Japanese as to be almost humorous. So organised, so regulated, so clean and calm but so dull and even boring! It was a 4 hour journey - all in daylight - so we anticipated a pleasant day, on deck at least some of the time with the wind in our faces and a view of the ocean and the islands and mainland as we departed and arrived. Not a chance. Rules do not permit it. Instead, we were stuck (seat-belted) in an assigned seat the whole of the journey, not permitted to walk around in the enclosed cabin (except for toileting), no access to the deck or the outside, no coffee shop or any cafe - you get the picture! Most disappointing. This was in reality no ferry ride but a jet boat on water. I think they see it as identical to a plane journey. Quite a contrast to our (slow) ferry from Korea back to China of 17 hours and overnight! More of that later!