Day trip to Busan
Trip Start
Feb 03, 2006
1
17
38
Trip End
Jul 01, 2008
Busan,
Korea Rep.
Monday, March 20, 2006
So with Japan postponed for a week we decide to take advantage of a free weekend and hop scotch our way to Busan.
Closest major city to us, it boasts 4 million people an international airport and one of Korea's most famous beaches: Haeundae Beach.
So we took our first subway ride to the downtown core to check out the shopping and city flavour. We bought Matt some hot jeans, in the last size available in most Korean shops, 36, had a Kimchee burger at Lotteria before heading for Geumgang Park. The city looked like ever other Korean city we had been to from ground level..
"Goin' to the show"
. until we started to climb...Finally a bit of nature was found as we walked through the gates of Geumgang Park. Charming people, pigeons and bamboo craftsmanship welcomed us as we headed for the cable car.
Korean natural landscape is very pretty, and wild looking. This time of year the evergreens and bamboo add the most colour and we are starting to see signs of the coming spring with bright yellow leaf buds, and pink flowers trying to emerge. The trees are not our straight pine trees but twisted trunks with needles on the end of branches, makes for a very 'far off place' kind of feel.
As we headed skywards, up Mt. Geumjang our perspective changed- greatly! The city in its entirety emerged and I couldn't believe my eyes. A city with the population of Toronto, on not quite the area. As a Canadian it is hard to get used to and enjoy the view of towering apartment buildings clustered everywhere, stark against the city scapes. What must that be like, a question I had much time to ponder as we descended the slope.
Who would have thought climbing down would be so hard and just as we were discussing who should carry the backpacks and who should carry the other person and 61 year old Korean women came to the rescue. With not much english she urged us forward with the words 'speedy' and not to be undone by an 'old women' we head out after her! I couldn't believe her youth and we were at the bottom in a flash. We exchange as much pleasantries as we could and we were off for a much desired dinner and evening at Haeundae Beach.
The lights, the water and Roman candles made the night a feast for the eyes, as we contemplated the grandness of our adventures. Wonder is all around us and it humbles us. We are so fortunate for our new country, adventure and each other.
More to come as we set off for Japan next weekend...
P.s- count down to Vinny, T minus 10 1/2 days.... WE ARE SO EXCITED!
Comments
Sweet
The beach is impressive, moreso when it's covered in umbrella's. I'll be heading to Korea in the first week of June for a visit, so set your calenders accordingly. And how could you eat at Lotteria?! ugh!