Asia trip Day 21 - Busan, South Korea

Saturday March 18

We docked in Busan at 7 am. Here is a photo from our balcony. 

 

We were wondering whenever we looked out why there were tenders right next to our pier. And it looked like campers with children. Behind on the right it even looked like a dog agility course. 

We went off the ship at 8 am for our excursion.

This is the discription of the first part of our tour:
Discover the area’s most iconic architecture, both ancient and modern. Originally built in the 14th century, Haedong Yonggungsa is revered for its pagoda and Buddhist sanctum inside a cave. It is said that the Great Goddess Buddha lives in the sea and appears on the back of a dragon, making Haedong Yonggungsa one of three sacred places related to the Goddess Buddha. The 108 steps down to the temple represent the 108 anguishes in Buddhist life.

On the way there we marveled especially about the (several level) bridges. The unbelievable "spaghetti knots" seem to be working very well for the traffic. 

Our guide gives us all sorts of information. 

The bus pulls into the parking at abut 9:10 am and the first thing we walk passed is food stands. 

Squid? People got all kind of food in paper cups etc. But no were was there trash to see or a trash can.

There were even ladies sitting (very uncomfortably? for us) and cleaned and bundled veggies.

Ok, I have to say how difficult it was to decide what photos to upload. In the beginning of this tour the masses of people was unbelievable. That, of course, was not easy for picture-taking. I didn't add the photos of the gate and pagoda because of all the people, you hardly could see it. James decided to walke that way back later and I took more (better) photos then.

When we came to this spot we were both amazed and in awe. A lovely and (could be) peaceful place.

Yes, and lots to see.

I forgot to take a photo of the golden pigs which were in honor of a special calendar year. You might remember the 12 zodiac years of people's birthdays. But I could not resist to take a photo of the pig's ... with that sign underneath, which surely is pure coincidence. 

Our guide explained that here is a spring. You can go down and drink of that water which might make you 10 years younger or give you a tummy problem!

Three ladies from Italy also on our ship but not with our group. They like to talk German with me. 

Our guide gave us the choice of walking back the same way or going a different easier way. I hoped that this way was by now less crowded. And it was! I think here are some photos which give a better idea.

Almost forgot to mention that this is "Statue of Buddha for Academic Achievement". Of course we thought of our 4 grandsons here!!!

Yes, the entry gate and the pagoda.

Back in the bus.

We park to walk on Camelia ((dongbaek) Island. 

This is from the tour description:

For a glimpse into South Korea’s modern architecture, you will visit the glass-and-steel domed APEC House. This airy, light-filled building was designed to represent the spirit of openness and cooperation, as it is used for meetings and international summits.

In the entry you were greeted by this very large mural. It was done mainly with "mother-of-pearl" and each element in the design (for example number of cranes) has a meaning.

And yes, at the APEC Summit meeting 2005 in Busan, President George W. Bush was there.

A very impressive building.

The walkway around the island is a circle and we continue. 

Not many camelia flowers right now but of course, we are missing ours blooming, so I do have to take a look here.

Our guide gives us the choice of either going straight or going with her a little extra to see their famous beach = Korea's version of Hawaii.

And then it is lunch time. We walk just a few minutes passed the bus and take an elevator to the 4th floor of a tall building. Oh my, a buffet - stretching out over several rooms. 

My course # 1.

My course # 2.

I already feel stuffed just looking at everything. And not knowing what it all is puts a damper on things for me. But then there is dessert.

I had something like plum juice to drink earlier. This in the cup is mango juice but it really is as thick as my mango puree and very delicious.

Time to leave.

This is the building with the lunch place "Blue Kitchen".

Back into the bus but we are not done yet.

From the tour discription:

Immers yourself in local daily life by visiting two bustling marketplaces. You will browse Gukje Market, the country’s largest traditional market, and Jagalchi Fish Market, South Korea’s largest seafood market. Both display an extraordinary amount of merchandise. 

We went to the fishmarket first. The dried fish was something we had already seen. Not a surprise.

The just freshly caught fish and other things out of the sea ... an experience. First outside:

... then inside. Buckets full of live things for you to pick, sit down and it will be cooked for you. 

It was very difficult to take photos because I don't think it is fair to do of/to people who are sitting down for a nice meal. OMG, I wished you all could have seen that. The walk ways in

between were very narrow though and you had to watch it because a couple of times somebody emptied a bucket (wash up?) just in front of us but luckily I only got just a little splattered. The gentleman in front of me had wetter sneakers then he liked.

Right at the door outside was a truck just being unloaded. A younger man on top had a big snow shovel (type) and the older man held the large can open.

One fish escaped.

But not for long.

Not far was the traditional market. "Temporary" restaurants in the middle and shops and stalls left and right in a labyrinth of narrow alleys. Again, I tried to take photos as discretly as possible. 

When we at the end came to a waffle maker I just had to watch. 

He put a thick piece of cheese onto it. And then more batter. 

Just felt like trying it. Nosey. 3000 yen. He took $3, a very good exchange rate for him. It was worth the fun. The combination of somewhat sweet and cheesy wasn't bad at all.

Back into the bus and back on board our ship. At 5 pm we started sailing again. 

Hardly time to refresh because James remembered that there was a speaker's talk which we didn't want to miss. The topic was whaling, a controversial issue in Japan. If you are a nature lover you are angry with the Japanese for what they are doing but it is not so black and white and it was very interesting. Dr Orenstein again explained the inside, pro and con, etc very good and interesting again. Here only a few photos as a reminder.

I can't remember details of the rest of the day (except that we always have fun) but when I had a capuccino after dinner (which I take with just a little brown sugar) James pulled this sugar package out of the container. One of many like it. How in the world .....? Could Oceania not afford to buy sugar?

Sorry about the length of this blog but tomorrow's might be even longer. Not easy, dear friends, to know what to cut out. Ah, the memories. And we appreciate your comments a lot, even if I can not respond to each. Program doesn't let me do it.

Night, night.

Oh yes, and to Helen's friend: We were very impressed with Busan!