Day 23 - Thursday, 4th Oct. - Busan, South Korea

We arrived at the Busan International Cruise Terminal around 8am and once on the ship's tour bus, with our guide Lara, we were looking forward to discovering this lovely city….  BUT unfortunately we got caught in a massive traffic jam as a truck had broken down some 2 kms. up ahead and as we were in a single lane barricaded either side, we were going nowhere for 1-1/2 hours!!!!  Well Lara passed the time by talking and talking and finally starting singing to us – glad we had a couple of Sudokus to do as well…..

 

Finally we got going and our first stop was at APEC House which was a very impressive glass and oval structure, which they hosted in 2005.  Also at this spot were beautiful views of the city and it was literally on the waters edge close to a very pretty beach where apparently 'millions' of summer holiday makers share this very popular destination with one another.

 

Next we visited the Haedong Younggungsa Temple which was right on the seashore, a spectacular location.  This 14^th century Buddhist temple is just a wonderland of statues, a 3 story pagoda adorned with lions and waterfalls and a massive gold Buddha.  We must have taken over a hundred photos here – it was truly beautiful.  As we lost so much time this morning, our tour was cut a little short, but of course, we were taken to the market, where again we opted to do our own thing and get the shuttle bus back to port.

 

A very late McDonalds lunch was a popular choice by many, as we did, and then a stroll around their really attractive market place – so clean and tidy, not the usual!!  No bartering here either and a very welcome - 'no haggling'.  I bought a scarf, in anticipation of a Rock 'n Roll party, and other small odds & sods…. as it is their autumn, there were lots of winter clothing and not much else.

 

We really enjoyed this beautiful port of Busan, with its attractive buildings lined by the sandy foreshore with lovely clean, blue water.

We did front for dinner, but as there was no late show tonight, we headed off early in preparation for another port tomorrow – Nagasaki.

 

PHOTOS:  APEC House;  Seats of power – John Howard's chair was to the left;  The popular beach;  Tall and interesting skyscrapers;  Modern housing with massive solar panels;  Haedong Younggungsa Temple;  Inside the temple;  Outside the temple;  Three little piggies;  Beautiful BIG Buddha;  Lots of little buddhas sitting on a rock;  The craggy foreshore;  Cute little poser a wool shop in markets;  Beautiful wares to be had;  Lovely Korean ladies making some delicious morsels;  Interesting skewers.