Busan, South Korea

Thursday, March 7, 2019            Busan, South Korea

Larry and I were excited to be in Busan. While  living in Franklin County we hosted an exchange student, Meeson, from Busan that stayed with us for a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, we were unable to contact her through an old email address. She has probably grown into adulthood by now with a job and family of her own.

                    After passing through the immigration line, we took the bus into town. 

We walked by China Town...in Korea. From there we decided to take the Hop On Hop Off bus to see a city of 3.6 million. 

Busan is Korea’s second largest city and one of the world’s busiest commercial ports. The shipping industry and international conventions attract people from all over the world, making this a very cosmopolitan area. 

Busan is home to many universities and the Korean Securities Exchange. It is also considered the country’s summer capital with some of its most popular beaches lined with high rises, clubs, pubs, and cafes. It is also home to Asia’s largest International Film Festival.

The bus took us through the city over the only draw bridge in Korea, the Yeongdodaegyo, that raises two times a day. 

We took the bus to get out of the city, exiting it on a southern peninsula to the Taejongdae Park. Taejongdae is known as one of the most scenic spots in Busan. 

We walked up a steep hill to catch a Danubi Circular Train that took us through the park. (danubi is Korean, meaning admiring the scenery)

We got off at the observation deck. The marine cliffs and views were stunning from the restaurant. 

                                                            We spotted Tea Kettle Island.

                                                The Statue of Mother and Children

                                                              Sinseon Rock and Mangbu Rock

Yeongdo Light House

Past leaders of South Korea

Seaview Point

We boarded back onto the train and rode it back to the starting point to catch the hop on hop off bus.

                                       We passed the Large National Maritime Museum and ......

traveled over the most remarkable entrance (a spiraling curling road) to the

                                                        Busan Fort Grand Bridge...a Busan Icon. 

                                                        We spotted our ship to the left and....

                                                    the industrial shipping port to the right!

The views of the shipping industry from the bridge confirmed its immensity. We have never seen so many containers stacked so orderly in such a large area.

                                         We passed the Oryuko Islands…a very scenic area.

                We saw the Peace Park, the only United Nations Memorial Cemetery in the world.

The bus took us through the downtown Manhattan of Busan.

Larry and I really enjoyed Songdo Beach. It had an extensive marine cable car and the longest marine walkway (Skyway) in Korea.

                           A billboard showed the popularity of the area during the summer!

                We passed by the BIFF in Nampodong. It was the Hollywood Star walk of Korea.

We passed the Gukje Market and the Jagalchi Market…literally 10 blocks of fresh seafood and stall shopping.

With all these sights dancing around in our head, Larry and I headed back to the ship around 5:00pm….another full day of exploration. 

The ship pulled anchor at 5:30 and we passed under the Busan Fort Bridge one final time. We were off to a sea day of relaxation. These days in the Eastern Asia are so full of incredible wonder!

                                                    So long Busan.....