WE ARE USING BUSAN, KOREA’S SECOND-LARGEST CITY, to get acclimated to the country before working our way to Seoul. Which may be more difficult than we thought. The first thing we noticed was the weather—morning temperatures in the 40s, not the 80s of Vietnam—with a cold breeze off the ocean. Instead of T-shirts, shorts and sandals we’re wearing long pants, socks and shoes and polarfleece. And for some reason Korea doesn’t allow Google Maps to provide directions so it’s impossible to find the route from the hotel to a particular restaurant or ATM.
Riding the Rails, Busan metro
Cherry Blossom petals falling like pink snow
Just him, us and the seagulls
We found the metro without any trouble but had to rely on Korean-Americans, Jonathan and Dolores, to help us get to Hauendae Beach, yesterday’s destination. Although it will be too late for the famous Cherry Blossoms when we arrive in Japan, we seem to have hit Korea right in the Goldilocks Zone. As we strolled along under cherry trees heavy with blossoms, the breeze dropped petals on us like pink and white snowflakes. We imagine the Beach would be packed during the heat of summer but on this cool spring day it was just a few of us and the seagulls.
Art Immitating Art
Some Surfer Whimsy
Twisted Art
it took me a while to get it
Busan is loaded with street sculpture, some reminiscent of Columbian Fernando Botero, some whimsical and some totally abstract. It took me a while to decipher the “I ❤️Busan” sign although the alternate meaning is equally appropriate.
Not worth the price
A tourist and his money are soon parted
The Sky Capsule from Mipo Station is a “must-do” according to the “Best of Busan” website. The reality makes me wonder how much baksheesh the “influencers” who write these articles get. The slow-motion, two kilometer ride along the coast costs $20 per couple, highway robbery when the metro ticket from Busan was only three bucks. We walked beneath it to a recent trail closure almost at the end. We could see seaweed gatherers working among the rocks below and the Gwangan Suspension Bridge and downtown Busan in the distance. And of course Connie found some birds—the Vinous-throated Parrotbill was an unexpected “Lifer.”
The Seaweed Gatherer
Gwangan Suspension Bridge and Busan
You didn't think there would be birds???
We aren’t quite ready for Korean street food so we had lunch at a semi-Western restaurant featuring burgers, pizza and pasta. Mushroom Alfredo for Connie and the seafood version for me while we people watched and made plans for tomorrow. The trip back on the metro was easy-peasy lemon squezy—we didn’t even have to follow our breadcrumbs.
Thanks, but for now we'll stick with food we recognize for now
