Taking the bullet train was a good experience. We booked a booth, which is meant for 4 people. If you decided on the booth the price for 4 people would only be about 25 USD each, compared with the normal ticket of about 20 USD. Either way I enjoyed the little bit of extra space and having a table to work with.
The along the few hour path to Busan the train took, it was very smooth. It was a rainy day in Busan, but Meg and I were happy to find it was at least a bit warmer. The main station's courtyard looked despite the rain's best efforts to bring gloom down on us
First, we made our way to China Town. Food was a top priority at this point, which was point for us to go to China Town. The food was good. After feeling full, we looked around at some of the shops. I found some interesting ways to use English and some great shirts in the process...
The shops from China town blended seamlessly into more shopping areas. We kept walking along and saw some of the the city. Even as the sun settled behind the mountains and left the city to the over sight of the moon, Busan stayed vibrant and very well lit.
We used some of the free WiFi that is ever present in S. Korea, and located a few hotels and such. A guesthouse near the fish market became our final choice as it wasn't full and within our budget. We went out later in the evening to look at some more shops. After the shops, we stopped by a few places looking for food. After entering one such establishments, we found one place with lots of “famous” signatures on the wall...so of course, our friend had to add his :)
After the fun with signatures, went to look at some of the local tourist sights. At night and with rain, there wasn't much to see but we made the most of it and had some good laughs. It wasn't a full day but it was a good day.
The next morning we saw a bit more of the city and then made our way to higher elevation. We set out to get a good hike in, as the air was good, crisp, and with out rain! After taking the subway, we asked a group of men where a temple was that had the hiking we wanted. The conversation went a little like this:
Me, “Do you know where the temple is.”
Them, “Temple?”
Me, “Yes, temple.”
Them, “Temple?”
We spoke a little slower, “Tem-ple”
They turn around, huddle for a little while...one man eventually says to the other, “Temple?”
Man two “Tem-ple”
Man three, “Temple?”
Man four, “Temple,” there is a pause and they all look around at each other.
Man one, “Temple”
And together, “Temple!” and in rapid succession they each start staying “Temple” they turn back to us and ask, “Do you mean 'Temple'?”
“Yes, we are looking for the temple.”
The above example conversation is mostly under-exaggerated in terms of how long the original conversation was. They told us how to get where we wanted to be. We took a taxi the short distance and proceeded to look around before we started our hike.
After the hike, we went to the Busan Aquarium. As I hadn't been to an aquarium in many years, I really enjoyed the experience.
After the Busan Aquarium, we made our way to the train and back to Seoul. We all slept most the way back to Seoul.
Tip of the Day: If you've never been on a bullet train, try it. I think it isn't an adrenaline ride or anything, but it is a unique experience that is worth the cost and time.
After the fun with signatures, went to look at some of the local tourist sights. At night and with rain, there wasn't much to see but we made the most of it and had some good laughs. It wasn't a full day but it was a good day.
The next morning we saw a bit more of the city and then made our way to higher elevation. We set out to get a good hike in, as the air was good, crisp, and with out rain! After taking the subway, we asked a group of men where a temple was that had the hiking we wanted. The conversation went a little like this:
Me, “Do you know where the temple is.”
Them, “Temple?”
Me, “Yes, temple.”
Them, “Temple?”
We spoke a little slower, “Tem-ple”
They turn around, huddle for a little while...one man eventually says to the other, “Temple?”
Man two “Tem-ple”
Man three, “Temple?”
Man four, “Temple,” there is a pause and they all look around at each other.
Man one, “Temple”
And together, “Temple!” and in rapid succession they each start staying “Temple” they turn back to us and ask, “Do you mean 'Temple'?”
“Yes, we are looking for the temple.”
The above example conversation is mostly under-exaggerated in terms of how long the original conversation was. They told us how to get where we wanted to be. We took a taxi the short distance and proceeded to look around before we started our hike.
After the hike, we went to the Busan Aquarium. As I hadn't been to an aquarium in many years, I really enjoyed the experience.
After the Busan Aquarium, we made our way to the train and back to Seoul. We all slept most the way back to Seoul.
Tip of the Day: If you've never been on a bullet train, try it. I think it isn't an adrenaline ride or anything, but it is a unique experience that is worth the cost and time.
like the Aquarium photos
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