As we were all ending our 1-month exchange in Seoul Korea, we were actually supposed to attend the school's graduation ceremony and the folk village tour followed by a bbq session. However, I took everyone by surprise that I am actually heading to Busan, Korea to find my Korea friend! It was an impromptu decision and I'm glad that Alivia went with me too! We left Everland at around 1.30pm, took a bus to Seoul station and gave our digital redemption vouchers to the counter.
A quick tip: remember to always book your ticket through online and print, keep in your bag. It is unfortunate that they DO NOT provide any printing service available and you find yourself in trouble locating a printer outside of the station. Then again, there's language barrier of speaking Korean. I remembered entering an apartment rental looking shop asking if there provide printing service (translated by google kindly) because we saw there are many printers lying around lol. You have to board the train 15 - 20 minutes early as they usually departure on time. A minute late or so would cause a delay of good half an hour as you wait for the next train arrival.
The journey was quite tiring as I didn't have my lunch the entire day. We were saving up and rushing to different places and there's not much time for us to purchase food to eat. It was at at Seoul Station where I bought macdonalds, if I remember wrongly some swiss mushroom cream burger with fries and coke. It was the best burger I ever had! Except the patty was too much and I couldn't finish everything.
Unfortunately, we were not given the luxury of choosing our seating arrangements. We were being told that our seats are standing ticket which means that we would have to stand throughout until someone kindly leaves a seat for you or the train compartment is empty. It was a torture standing near the restrooms as they were talking so loudly with their Korean slangs. There is alot people going back to their hometown from Seoul so do expect some rowdiness and just be kind towards them!
We finally got a seat nearing Ulusan Station, which is just 1 stop away from Busan. It was such a relief as we were all tired. Anyway the good news is, the train provides free wifi service, so you can connect after providing your credentials like passport and name. Alivia was streaming her video while I was just scrolling facebook. The joy of watching the train passby all the small towns make me so happy! I miss watching the mountain, the houses and the scenery as the train moves.
This is our first meal! I like the spiciness, the udon and the chicken. Come to think of it, I really miss Korea so much.
We went to a happening place! This place resembles a little like Singapore, high rise buildings and condos. The apartments were honestly luxurious, where celebrities, football stars actually stayed there! It was an eyeopenner watching people chill at the bar, families going out and us trying to explore Busan!
So throughout the trip, we were sponsored by this great guy haha. He translated english to Korean and bring us practically everywhere with taxi! He used to study in New Zealand since he was young and the university, and hence there was no barrier between us! We covered so many places in such a short span of 2 days and this is not possible without a local help!
The fresh prawns that we bought for SGD40 lol. It was that expensive because the fisherman just caught it a few hours ago. But the freshness and the taste of the sea was worth it! The auntie even gave us complimentary clam soup for us to try when we told them we are singaporeans. I love how they are so friendly towards foreigners!
The next day we woke up early in the morning to go the temple! This was actually our main destination and motive to go Busan. This temple known as Haedong Yonggungsa is a buddhist temple that was built in 1376 and it is by the sea!! It was built by a great Buddhist teacher and people usually come here to make prayers. Actually, Busan seems like a sea village where they have so many beaches and beautiful sea rock formations.
Haedong Yonggungsa
Address: 86, Yonggung-gil, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan
부산광역시 기장군 기장읍 용궁길 86
LOL must post with my zodiac
The entire place was filled with bamboos too!
I absolutely love this shot because the wind was blowing at the right time.
Then walking down to the beach at Haedae, we managed to saw this lighthouse!
Everything was out of adventurous as we just anyhow walk in and explore lol
Then we chanced upon this small beach where fisherman fish here. He kindly helped us take photos and we were all laughing at something iIcouldn't remember. They were really so so friendly!!
Managed to find a seashell that represents my longing for travel again. The addiction started when I went to Beijing for solo trip lol
Next, Gamcheon Culture Village
203, Gamnae 2-ro, Saha-gu, Busan
부산광역시 사하구 감내2로 203 (감천동)
부산광역시 사하구 감내2로 203 (감천동)
This is one interesting and awesome experience because we actually took a public bus up to see the gorgeous view. We were rushing as we were worried that the sun would set early, and we will not be able to see this view!! The bus journey I felt like vomiting, it was basically just a reckless driver going up roundabouts in 120km/hr and we were like hitting the pole, the side railing and others. It was also DAMN squeezy, like we had to squeeze with so many people! I would totally recommend you to either take a taxi up or to slowly jog up the hill. Unless you see the bus driver that is quite legit then you take ok!
I love the beautiful view and how every house is living a real resident!
The confirm must take tourisy picture
Close up view of the houses and us!
Told you damn fast the night come already!! So we took the public bus back and alighted at the station where we met up with my friend again! So many seafood until i couldn't decide. The crabs were huge, and they were known as Alaska crabs! (You know those that you eat in buffet? wow they got plenty of em here) The shops are quite competitive here, since they all sell the same thing.
Jalgalchi Market, one of the largest seafood market
52 Jagalchihaean-ro, Nampo-dong, Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea
So many type of seafood available! you can either choose the option to grill, cook or steam.
There are tables available for you to sit down whle they prepare your seafood meal! it was quite reasonable for the price of crab. We all enjoyed the freshness of the meat very much.
LOOK AT THE GLORIOUS CRAB LEGS
Have i mentioned that i love the rice? They mix it with some sauce and steam with the crab head. It was so good that I kept eating omg
And then, we went to cat cafe! Have never see so many cats in my life lol
The main highlight is this place.
And it is a spot that only the locals knew about it. It was damn dark so we took cab again (HAHA) to the midway of the mountain and climbed all the way up. The climb was torturous because there's so many insects on the pathways, flying everywhere and I almost got whacked by a insect oh my. But looking at this view, everything is so worth it. It is really something I WILL never ever forget in my life.
The entire Busan!
so chio until cannot. haha the picture is a little bad but if you see it for yourself, it's amazing.
welcome to Busan!
Then we lit some fireworks and launch some fireworks in sky too LOL it was damn awesome to be walking on the beach playing all this.
The clearer picture :)
Hehe thanks for reading! Highly recommend you to put Busan in your Korea Itinery if you are planning to travel there in summer! See you again in Dec!
