Busan, South Korea

Our journey started with a fairly hectic flight schedule to South Korea. First 13 hours to Hong Kong, a few hours wait, then 4hrs to Busan, another wait, then a 45 minute flight to Jeju Island. It was long but we survived and pleased to get ourselves horizontal in the Orange Tree Hotel. We were only pleased for a few minutes as we then discovered that they haven’t discovered innersprung or foam mattresses on Jeju and instead of down pillows they opt for mortar filled pillows. It is little wonder they work so hard over here, the less time they suffer in bed the better. 

Jeju Island was recommended to us by my Korean masters (when I am working back in Marlborough). They explained it was like Queenstown is to New Zealand. The island is about the same size as Stewart Island and although we had a good wander around and did take a guided day Tour we think that Queenstown is a far more enviable destination. We walked to the top of a small hill, the whole island is a volcanic remnant, and got some exercise while doing that. Along all the city walking paths there is exercise equipment free to stretch your muscles and generally extend ligaments whenever you wish. I had a go on a few of those, some of which were excellent.

Our Day Tour was to have included a hike on the lower slopes of a volcano. Mt Hallasan is Korea's tallest mountain at 2000 mtrs. However the day before saw torrential rainfall and we were unable to go up the mountain. We couldn’t even see the mountain and had showers all day. Instead we visited two tea farms, a magic house aimed at 10 year olds, a UNESCO Geological Heritage area, a Temple and dined on traditional Korean tucker. All in all the rearranged tour was rather underwhelming and sometimes you just have to miss things, as many people do with Mt Cook when they visit NZ. 

 

However on Jeju we discovered that Korean food is tasty, not too spicy and most enjoyable. We visited an underground shopping centre that had corridors of shops in every direction. How many people down there that have been missing for months is unimaginable. We were careful to keep our bearings and pleased to get out exactly where we wanted to be.

After 3 nights on Jeju we flew back to Busan on the mainland. Unfortunately a typhoon blew in on the morning of our departure and while our flight was delayed, several others delayed or cancelled, we got away for a fairly bumpy 45 minute flight to Busan International. Taxi to our Queens Hotel was easy and even at 11.00am our room was ready. And they have innersprung mattresses! We went walking in the rain and 30 degree heat. Found out that 500mls of beer cost $6.00 as does a packet of cigarettes. We live streamed the All Blacks playing Canada, presumably free because they are a non-rugby playing nation and the IRB want to encourage the game in countries yet see the light.

Our last day in Busan we have spent getting some “Kulchar”. We used local buses to get to Gamcheon Culture Village where 10,000 of the most poor people in Busan live. By opening the village up to tourism they have been able to raise the standard of living for the inhabitants who run a multitude of small businesses…however they do have to put up with thousands of tourists wandering through their backyards.

Using public transport and in fact trying to find anything is a challenge. There are sign boards in most places we have visited with information in four languages…but no English. Mostly hieroglyphics, we can’t even pronounce what or where we want to go. People don’t speak English but they are very patient, very warm and welcoming and understanding of our pointing and posturing. We haven’t been lost or hungry so doing just fine.