My feet hurt..

But it was worth it! My step counter says I walked 15 miles today. Maybe not, but a lot, anyway.

New friend Li and I went to the state park called Taejongdae. It was early so not so crowded, thank goodness. There’s this cheesy tram but we took it bc we’re lazy lol. The park was nice. The bus ride wasn’t too long so that was good.

Before we got lunch, we found a quiet temple quite close by. They were saying prayers so we didn’t stay.

Lunch in the Nampo-dong neighborhood was okay. The neighborhood itself was cool. Lots of shops and cutesy stuff, and another temple.

I was surprised to find a cathedral. It was open so we went in.

Yongdusan park and the Busan Tower were there too. We didn’t go up but the park was nice and sunny.

The department store Lotte has a rooftop observation deck that doesn’t cost anything so we enjoyed that for a bit.

Li was busy after that, so I went on to the waterfront and the Jagalchi fish market. It was my first real fish market, so neat. So many people hard at work.

The sunset was too beautiful to waste, so I walked home, got lost and found myself again, and had kimbap for dinner.

Great day

Heres today’s pictures…

There are two temples in the park. This one’s not fancy but still operating. Taejongsa. (The other has been roped off and cant be visited)

I really wanted to get closer but there was a fence. This might be a private cemetery

There’s usually a relic or two inside these pagoda

This pensive Buddha was holding a flower and a wasps nest.

This operational lighthouse was quite small

Wish I could remember the name of this one

These women are all over the place. It took forever to figure out, theyre ice cream men, but yogurt, and women

This, the 2nd temple of the day, was in heavy use and very well-maintained.

Marble, maybe? Anyway, the reclining Buddhas are more rare

Some of the important relics of the Catholic Church

More locks! What are these guys trying to prove?

Military hero famous for fighting the Japanese

The talented Li. She’s trying to get her PhD and can speak 3 languages fluently. Jealous

You pick the one you want, he cuts it up just the way you want

If your product needs running water you pay more for an inside stall

Outside stalls, everything you can imagine. I saw a few things, can’t imagine how to eat it

All prepared and dried, seasoned all kinds of ways

This neat plaza to sit and watch the boats come in.

Some guy was noodling around on his guitar

Cool lights, I’m sure they help with the night fishing

Got in trouble for this one, wasn’t supposed to be on that part of the pier

FIN

Very nice day…

What a relaxing day!! Had a nice sleep-in, then coffee and eggs with two ladies travelling from New Zealand.

Spent the rest of the morning making reservations for the next month. Guess who waited too long to get a plane ticket out of Japan?😐😐😐😐😐😐

Samgwansa temple was my first stop today. So delightful! I was the only foreigner there, got a lot of surprised looks. But everyone was nice❤

Then back to the hostel for tofu and broccoli. 200 beds and one burner…cooking may not be in my future after today.

The late afternoon activity was a visit to the UN Memorial Cemetery. Great visit and I had the place to myself. When that closed, the UN Sculpture park, UN Peace Park, and Busan Arboretum kept me busy until the mosquitos drove me back inside.

Dinner was pot stickers and banchan at some anonymous restaurant. Yummy!

On the walk back to the hostel, I found 20 bucks on the ground!!!!!

All in all a great day.

Here’s todays pictures…

This place is easily reachable by bus. Mostly women here.

The buildings themselves are relatively new. Some of the Buddhas inside are older though

These steps number 108. You reflect on every step your mistakes of the past. When you get to the top, a hand washing allows you to move forward with a peaceful feeling in your heart.

If I could read Korean, you’d know what these said

These banners are just like the lanterns at some other temples. You buy one to support the organisation.

The pagoda is new but holds many old, old relics

Again, a new statue, but made with the same stone as the palaces that housed the Joseon kings. Like from the same quarry

I was inside a hall admiring the Buddhas, wishing I had a snack, and a nice lady handed me this mochi! How interesting

The Templestay program here allows you to stay the weekend or longer to meditate and pray

This is a six. Ton. Jade. Buddha. Awesome

This nature path covered 20 acres. Little Buddhas were on every stump

Enough culture and religion, you say? Where’s the picture of the knockoff Trevi fountain in the basement of a department store? Well, it’s right here!!

If you ever wanted to pay 70 bucks for 2 melons, Lotte Department Store is for you!

The UN Cemetery was really neat. There’s still a burial or two, as widows of the Korean War pass on and are buried with their husbands.

This is the original flag flown at the first burial in the cemetery

I’d like to see these roses in the summer

There’s an eternal flame at the memorial wall

Brave Oregonians who died defending the Republic of Korea

Lots of great sculpture here at the Sculpture and Peace park

What you can’t see here are many very aggressive mosquitos

Arrival in Busan…

Not too much to tell.

High speed train was great as always!

The metro here is so much smaller it’ll be a breeze to figure out. Only 5 lines!

Went to a “cultural village” lol. It’s a good place to take pictures at least. The day was wonderfully sunny.

Jumped on a random bus after that, it took me to an interesting area, I got off, and what do you know, it’s something I wanted to see! Glad that worked out !!

Went back to check into my room, and took a lovely walk. Found some ice cream and groceries and now I’m in for the night.

Here’s todays pictures…