Busan tried my life, those gloomy skies the previous day were not playing! I was hoping that after the rain the weather would clear up and also after my nights sleep, would I feel better? Getting both of our acts together, Busan knew that I didn't have any time to waste! From the impressive port, a oceanfront temple and a cityscape beach, Busan served it up! Oh my, Busan!
Upon arriving into Busan, I knew that we would both have matching energies because the dreary weather mirrored my tired self! I thought to myself that arriving into the city early on would be a clever idea? I was very wrong because the rain made Busan feel chilly and Seoul's hectic schedule had me feeling exhausted. I had unknowingly arrived before a day that would be filled with beautiful sunshine, I just didn't know it yet! Getting acquainted with the city was an absolute pleasure after I was able to check into my hostel dorm. I even napped, this stop-gap day allowed me to recharge my batteries whilst Busan's gloomy settings also sorted itself out! Rising from my nap feeling much better, I already had my afternoon planned out because a certain APP had so kindly fixed me with some afternoon delight of an Indonesian kind. The weather really needed to give it up as I walked across the '영도대교/Yeongdo Bridge'. Bright my afternoon was in another sense, I headed for some delicious fried chicken before getting an early night. Saucy!
Bright and early the next day, I left my hostel the next morning with trepidation because I hadn't yet seen how the weather was! By the grace of some Korean god, I felt relieved to see gorgeous blue skies in every direction. As I retraced my steps across the same bridge that I had crossed the previous day, only then I was able to appreciate Busan Harbour fully. '영도대교/Busan Bridge' looked just fine, it didn't take me long to see why I had took a chance on that gargantuan port city! Those Busan waters were mirroring my energy, both of us were very ready to set off on amazing voyages and you already know I had a lot planned! Best believe, I didn't waste anytime making this 'Beside The Sea...' happen because I hadn't planned much before arriving in Busan, it was a massive gamble for sure! Heading back over that same bridge, I was in hot pursuit of the Busan Subway because the previous day saw me not fully gain my bearings. Everything seemed a lot clearer after snatching those ocean views over the port! Heading underground, I pressed on!
I had clocked this amazing oceanfront temple whilst looking online for some Busan inspiration, how I found a corker! '해동 용궁사/Hedong Yonggungsa Temple' stood out to me because it suited the brief of this blog just fine. After taking two subway trains and a short taxi ride, I was able to arrive at the temple site. It was no mean feat, speed walking from the taxi to the foot of the temple didn't take me long at all! I wanted to breathe in the whole setting and do the reading later on. I did just that, I wanted to see the temple from a respectable distance because I was more about seeing the temple from an angle. Dating back to 1376, here is where I am going to do some reading, stay with me! Set along beautiful shoreline, I was able to see the mountains in the distance, I loved that temple view 'Beside The Sea...'. This temple had been built by a great Buddhist teacher who was known as 'Naong' during the 'Goryeo Dynasty'. Right, so the original temple had been destroyed by fire during the Japanese invasion of Korea! B, that's news to me!
I had to pinch myself that I was looking at such a temple because down the road things were looking rather artificial. I had just stepped off the train at '오시리아/Osiria' to be greeted by a rather American looking road, the character of the temple seemed like a million miles away! Real talk, those tourists needed to get out of my way because I didn't have time to waste, after taking my photos I headed back through the maze that I had speed walked through a few moments before. I was absolutely rushing but the views that I captured overlooking the temple made things worth it, completely! Quite frankly, I had never before clocked such a temple because the whole vibe was absolutely giving 'Ocean Temple Realness!' Stopping for something to drink, not quite a soju but I quenched my thirst with some fresh orange juice because Busan already had me busy! How lucky I felt for the weather to be so gorgeous, Busan knew that I had dead eyed her the previous day because those blue skies complimented that temple! Let's go, B!
Really, another taxi? Yes! I only had one full day planned for Busan, the inclement weather the previous day meant that I needed to grab every single second during that sunshine full day! Heading from that darling temple, I was able to zoom along those Korean roads to '해운대해수욕장/Haeundae Beach'. I felt like as if a slice of Hainan Island had returned because those blue waters had me remembering my summer holiday! I needed a real drink! Heading down to the toilet along the beach, a little rabbit warren place found me, that's where I found a D.I.Y cocktail! So, I had followed signs for a shop but had never imagined that I would be able to find an ice cup, soju and juice like I had done in Wuhan, well almost! Mixing my drinks, I grabbed a packet of crisps to go, I needed to keep my nerve and not get trashed! Resurfacing from that below level shop allowed me to appreciate that beach scene. Sipping on my drink with the weather and beach looking like that, sure those Korean brothers amplified my view! Yess, Haeundae Beach!
You already know that I wanted to get a nice photo of the beach with those buildings standing in the right place. No, I didn't want to get wet at all! I almost got a soaking from those waves because people were getting in my photo frame, divine timing that was down to! Busan knew not to do me wrong! Busan better believe that I had four more places to visit that day and into the night! Honestly, being able to catch a beach like that in a built up part of the city had me feeling blessed. As I walked towards the nearest transit station, well I wasn't going to entertain any of the bars or restaurants because I sensed a real tourist vibe and that is not me! I had never before been to a beach on the Korean Peninsula, that was one of the reasons why I chose to visit Busan. After clocking those ocean views and seeing the golden sands, I headed back towards the city for the next part of my mammoth day out in Busan! South Korea already knew that I was about to be entering 'My Busan Era!' Those bridges, temples and beaches had all impressed me much!
Busan... I, Thank You!
Desperately Seeking Adventure