Busan South Korea

Wednesday 28 February 2018

We arrive at 08.00 a.m.

The second largest city in South Korea, Busan is your gateway to a fascinating land whose culture is a unique amalgam of old and new. Modern high-rise towers dwarf ancient Buddhist temples. The city's bustling business district offers a stark contrast to the serene grounds of Yongdusan Park. In short, Busan is a microcosm of South Korea, a nation whose startling economic success often obscures one of Asia's most sophisticated and venerable cultures.

Busan was the scene of bitter fighting during the Korean War. The United Nations Memorial Cemetery marks the final resting place for the troops from 16 nations who gave their lives during the conflict.

Excursion

Accompanied by your local guide this enjoyable half day tour starts with a breath-taking journey through glorious countryside and along coastal roads, to the beautiful Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. One of the most striking landmarks in Busan thanks to its unusual location by the sea, you will climb around 108 steps to the entrance, past statues of Buddha and along a dramatic rocky backdrop. Head to Dongbaekseom Island, and the stunning APEC House, which was built for the 2005 APEC Economic Leader's Meeting. 

Tour Overview

This serene and informative half day tour takes you to unique  temple by the sea, past one Korea's most popular beaches.

Accompanied by your friendly local quide, you will board the motor  coach at the pier for the breath-taking through glorious countryside, to the beautiful Haedong Yonggungsa Temple.

Without a doubt, this is one of the most beautiful temples in Busan, and its unusual location by the sea, only adds to the peaceful atmosphere.  Expect to climb 108 steps to get a closer look at this amazing landmark, which boasts a three-story pagoda decorated with lions.   One inside, your guide will explain the legend of the Great Goddess Buddha, who lives in the sea and is said to appear on the back of a dragon.

Climb back on to the motor coach for the drive along beautiful Haeundae Beach.   Considered to be Korea's most popular beach, Haeundae attracts many holiday-makers and takes it name from the 9th century Silla scholar and poet Choi Chi-won, who would write from a nearby pavilion.   

Continuing along the coastal road, head for Dongbaekseom Island, and APEC House, which was built for the 2005 APEC Economic Leader's Meeting.

Another unique and picturesque location, the building is surrounded by beautiful woods of camellia and pine trees.   It regularly hosts international conferences, and along with the many delegates who come here, you will also be able to view the Mermaid Statute, which stands on a rock formation on the shore.

Then there is some time for souvenir shopping as you make your way to the wonderful Gukje International Market
which is packed with around 300 shops selling crafts, artworks and antiques.   On the way to the market, you will see and take the impressive 24,000 Gwangan Grand Bridge, which was completed in 2003.

After shopping, return to the ship with souvenirs and memories.

Up early again for this excursion, 2 excursions in a row.     Lots of Buses lined up just past the wharf 

Taken from the Balcony early in the morning

Early rise this morning up at 5. 30 a.m. wake up call at 6.00 a.m.   Off to Breakfast not many people there, I had my usual Bill had fruit and cereal.   Back to our cabin to pick up coat and bag etc.   Meant to rain this afternoon had to hand in our passports and copies again to be checked by Hong Kong, the stamped copy the gave us back but kept the passport.   Sat in rows in theatre some of the same people on this trip, local guide very good used mike and had a sign which she held up.   Went through country sides along coastal roads to the beautiful Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, of the most striking landmarks in Busan thanks to its unusual location by the sea.     We had to climb around 108 steps to entrance, past statues of Buddha and along a dramatic rock back drop.     Very nice took many photos lots and lots of buses arrived people everywhere, had to watch where I was walking some surfaces very uneven and had to use hand rail when available.   Got parted from Bill I could'nt find him and he could't find me but in the end I just stopped and waited hopefully he would come down.

All taken from the Balcony

I had to put these photos in of the steps

These are the steps that I had up to the top and down 

So far today this trip has been very enjoyable 

All back in the bus to go to Dongbaekzseom Island to see the APEC House, built in 2005 for the APEC Economics Leader's Meeting.   The Buses were parked off the Island and we all had to walk.
Very impressive Island.    Economic Leader's meeting surrounded by beautiful pine trees and you will view the charming Mermaid Statute.

This photo was taken where we parked the bus

APECH House

Took many photos lovely walk but legs are getting a bit tired.   All got on the bus and we went to the Gukje International Market lots and lots of shops took many photos again, also fish market.     After we left the market starting to rain , rain coat in bus had my warm jacket and hat, looked into some shops on the streets, Bill went down to shops under ground I stayed up on the footpath, it was raining
now hard so stayed under cover many steps down to this shopping place where Bill went.   Bill said it was enormous and it went under the road that the cars were travelling on.    We had been advised to be careful if we went underground to make sure that you come up at the right entrance because there are many.    I found a pet shop where we were waiting for the bus tiny pups (I mean tiny) took many photos white dogs as well.    They were to young to be in the shops some by themselves looking for their mates and were sold they were in glass pens.

Waited for the bus and headed back to ship.   Long queues  when we got off bus to go through security to board the boat not pleasant, straight back to our room for hot shower and change clothes and go to dinner.    I had Chowder Soup very nice, and bun then had Tapaicoa pudding and vanilla sauce and a lovely cup of tea.    Then went for a walk back to the centre of ship sat and watched people going to concert tonight at 7. 45 p.m.  in theatre then may have something before we come back to our cabin.    We leave Busan South Korea at 4. 30 pm. this afternoon.   Hong Kong people have been on board checking out passports for their stop in 2 days time.   I am typing notes while Bill is watching a movie on TV have not registered for Wifi on board but may do it in the next couple of days.     I have not spent anything yet, Bill jersey and a pair of shoes, have been told Singapore very dear now.    Legs are quite tired tonight pleased for a rest tomorrow, meeting some people in International bar again for coffee and talk.   Met so many people need to write their names on paper and put it in my purse.

Rough night strong wind and 5 metre swell did not worry me I slept well I was very tired.

Hakata Japan

Tuesday 27th February 2018

Today we will be at Hakata Japan at 10.00 a.m.

Since 1889, the old port of Hakata has been part of Fukuoka city, the major commercial center of Northern Kyushu. This region is perhaps the oldest settled area in Japan, and for centuries Hakata served as Japan's cultural and commercial gateway with China and Korean. The twin cities played another major role in Japanese history - it was here that Kublai Khan launched his two invasions of Japan in the 13th century. Two anchor stones from the great Mongol fleet destroyed by the famous typhoon or Kamikaze are still on display at Hakata's 8th century Kushida Shrine. Beyond the hustle and bustle of today's modern metropolis, visitor will still discover and enjoy the serenity of ancient shrines, superb formal gardens, and a duo of fascinating museums.

When Hakata and Fukuoka merged in 1889, the combined metropolis was to be named Hakata. Until a group of disaffected samurai from Fukuoka - an important castle town in feudal times - intervened to ensure the new city's name honored their old home.

Our Excursion is call the

A full day of adventure and fun awaits you at the pier. Walk in the footsteps of the samurai and experience Japanese life in the 17th century on a full day adventure to the 400-year-old castle town of Kokura. Your air-conditioned motor coach will take you through northern Kyushu to Kokura Castle. As you approach the castle you'll marvel at the borogata-style structure. This "lookout tower" type of architecture is built on an irregular shaped stone foundation and the decorative gables used on the first and second floor give the impression of a lookout tower mounted atop another building. Constructed with high stone walls and a large moat to withstand possible sieges by warring clans, the castle was important to the security and stability of the region. But the stunning building you see before you is not the original that was built in 1602. Japanese castles at the time were made entirely of wood. This made them much more vulnerable to fire and although the exterior walls were covered with thick layers of plaster for protection the inner stronghold of the castle known as the donjon was destroyed by fire in 1837 but the stone walls and moats were left intact. Restored in 1959, the donjon now houses an extensive historical museum, which features medieval suits of armor, weapons and a diorama that details 17th century life in the castle and the surrounding town. Take a walk to the top of the castle and you'll be rewarded with spectacular views of the garden and the castle surroundings.

After a tour of the museum you'll stroll through the serene garden, past the impressive statues and picturesque pond where you'll observe a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Then, you'll walk into the "shitakashiki," or guesthouse where you'll enjoy a cup of delicious Japanese tea. (As in most Japanese homes, you will be asked to remove your shoes before entering). Later, you can visit the castle gift shop where you can purchase replicas of many of the items seen in the castle. During the day, you'll sit down for a Japanese style lunch at a local restaurant.

At the end of your day, you'll be whisked back to Hakata at speeds of up to 170 mph aboard the bullet train.

Experience Japanese life in the 17th century on this full-day adventure to the 400-year-old castle town of Kokura.
An air-conditioned coach transfers you to the station where you'll board one of Japan's famous bullet trains.    Travelling at speeds up to 170 mph, you'll arrive in Kokura in just 20 minutes.   The bullet train is called "Shinkansen" in Japan and it is the fastest ground transportation in Japan.

After arrival at the station, transfer by coach to Kokura Castle.   Originally constructed in 1602, the castle's inner stronghold was destroyed by fire in 1837 and rebuilt in 1959.    Inside is a small museum with spectacular views from the top floor. 
Stroll through the garden full of delightful outdoor settings.    Sit down to a delicious lunch before a leisurely, narrated drive back to Hakata port an air-conditioned coach.   (When we did this excursion we did the train at the end then boarded the coach to Hakata port)

Bullet Train

Hakata Japan

Tuesday 27 March 2018

Up reasonable early this morning as this was our first excursion.    Went out on to Balcony as boat was arriving in Hakata.

Bill on the Balcony

Had good breakfast, fruit and yoghurt, scramble eggs bacon breakfast sausage.   Bill tried to get money for Japan but machine run out of money. 

We walk through this area of the boat every morning when we go to breakfast

Had to meet in Theatre for this excursion then walked to the bus going through security.   Our bus was full.    We left the boat at 10. 30 a.m.

These photos were taken out of the Bus window at Hakata

We went and had our Japanese Meal first.

This is the where we had our Japanese Meal

This was my Japanese Meal

This was taken from the top at the Restaurant of the Garden 

We then went to the tea making ceremony 

Japanese Cake

We walked around the gardens

Kokura Castle and Japanese Garden

Went to the Castle walked up 120 steps to the top.    This was not what we thought this castle would look like a little disappointing.   Quite an expensive excursion because of the Bullett Train.

View from the top

We got back to the boat at 6.00 p.m.   Had a cup of tea in our cabin room with a flask of hot water, this worked well pleased I brought it.    We met nice people on this excursion today and did a lot of walking.    Bill tried to get money for Japan but machine had run out of money.      We went to watch the concert before tea.  It was David Knight an hypnotist it was an excellent show.

We went to the 16th deck buffa I had chicken gravy beef veges and salad and then fresh fruit for pudding and jelly.    Been a long day