I couldn’t believe that
I made it to Korea where I had great moments. I was in Seoul for 5 days, spent
two nights at a hostel then surfed at my host apartment in the last 3 days before
moving to Busan to see my friend. This is the most epic trip of mine so far.
Seoul is a lively, dynamic
and exotic city. What I love about Seoul is that everything starts very early
in the morning and finishes very late in the evening. I was so stocked that I
could have breakfast before 8 at a local market, which is rare in Japan as
most shops open after 9. As it is a capital, Seoul is full of people, but
not as crowded as Tokyo for sure. I hit up Myeongdong, Insadong, Hongdae where
thousands of youngsters gather and stroll around, and also visited the ancient
side of Seoul in some palaces and the Bukchon Hanok Village where is well known
for traditional Korean houses. However, the places I like most in Seoul are
local markets where I saw daily activities of the locals, enjoyed tons of good
food and felt local.
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| Bukchon Hanok Village |
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| Bukchon Hanok Village |
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| One of the most beautiful places in the village |
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| Gyeongbokgung Palace |
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| How I love those decorations |
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| Wall Painting street in Hongdae |
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| Turkey ice cream vendor - the artist on the street |
I also went to the Nami Island where the famous drama “Winter
sonata” was shot. The island was pretty but for me, it was not only the views
but also a coincidental meet with random people who became my travel mates for
the whole day on the island. When I was looking for the way to go to the island
(I had no idea how to get there after getting out of the station as there were
so many transport options and all was written in Korean), a Korean guy came up
to me and asked me if I was going to the island with an amazing English. It turned
out he was showing his friend who was a Malaysian around, then I ended up
hanging out with them for the whole day. My last night in Seoul was spent in a board
games café with my host and another surfer who was staying at the same place with
me and became a grudging interviewee for some young Koreans who were doing
their English homework on what foreigners do in Seoul (if I get them right because I
still don’t know the purpose of their interview).
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| Riding bike with newly met friends |
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| with snowmen |
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| Do you recognize who were behind me? |
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| Doing fun with the sculptures |
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| Does it remind you of anything? |
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| Namdaemun Market | | |
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| At Seoul Folk Flea Market |
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| Chilled out with host, surfer and some Koreans |
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I reached Busan after 5
hours on train and was picked up by my friend at the train station near her apartment. I was
so glad to see her as we hadn’t seen each other for 2 years. After having meal which
is one of the specialties of Busan at the restaurant my friend has been doing her
part time job, we had a small break, then hit some places in Busan. We went to the
Fish Market, strolled in the town, ate hotteoks at the most famous shop there, had
dinner with BBQ and finished our day with a super huge dessert in the city
center to celebrate our reunion. The Fish Market was awesome with tons of sea creatures which were either fresh or alive. I felt the fish smell just right after reaching Busan, which I couldn't do in Fukuoka. Busan is a truly fishery town due to that distinct smell which is rare in Fukuoka even though Fukuoka is a fishery town too.
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| Let's eat hotteok :) |
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| Beomeosa temple's roof decoration |
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| At Beomeosa temple |
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| Super greenery landscape |
I didn’t make plan for
my days in Busan as I thought I could go around with my friend. Unfortunately, she
had work suddenly so I ended up being alone for the rest time there. According
the map about Busan and suggestions of my friend, I decided to make it to Beomeosa
temple, Geumjeong fortress, Gamcheon culture village and Taejongdae natural park
the days after. I had thought the fortress was only the wall built years ago
but it turned out a place people do hiking. I found many Korean going there for
hiking and I might be the only foreigner, which is super amazing. I hit up the
highest peak of Mt. Geumjeong where the entire view of the city is seen. The landscape
was super greenery and heavenly breathtaking. The fortress and mountains made
my day. I found me sometimes singing in the middle of the forest without anyone
around or on the top of the mountain where I could feel the wind, the clouds
and everything. Who says Busan has only beaches. Busan, the name tells it all,
doesn’t it?
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| Hit the peak Godangbong |
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| The natural spring |
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| View from the top No.1 |
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| View from the top No.2 |
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| View from the top No.3 |
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| View from the top No. 4 |
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| The fortress |
Busan is definitely my “wow”
place. I couldn’t count how many times I did “wow” when I saw its magnificent
natural beauties. Apparently, Busan is known for beaches, especially Haeundae
beach but it is always full of foreigners and a bit noisy with lots of bars and
restaurants. I prefer Taejongdae natural park where has a spectacular cliff. I
spent lots of time sitting on the cliff and enjoyed the sea. Fresh fishes and other sea food are sold near the cliff and people can even eat them alive. The culture
village was nice but for me, it is just a place for ones who love taking photos.
I am more amazed by the mountain and the cliff.
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| Busan by night - taken at The bay 101 - home to a yacht club |
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| The Gamcheon culture village |
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| Taejongdae's cliff |
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| what a breathtaking view! |
My last day in Busan was
finished with the rock festival. I went there with a German guy and a Korean
couple I met randomly on bus. The music was so great, we really enjoyed it
although it rained, and it was nice to see Korean dancing in the mud!
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| ROCK FOR LIFEEEEE! |
I was more adventurous
in Busan with the mountains, the cliffs, friends I met randomly and two times I
almost got lost. Once was when getting out of the culture village, I realized I
was off map. What I could do at that time was following the sign saying Busan station
was ahead of me. There were some bus stops on the road but I felt hesitate to
get in them as I didn’t know where they could take me to. But the station seemed
too far while I didn’t know the way either so I decided to get on a bus with the words
Busan station that popped up for a second on the bus's head. I kept crossing my fingers until a girl on
the bus who could speak English told me this bus was going to Busan station. I
felt totally relieved after that. Another time was after the rock festival. It was
late in the evening and I didn’t know how to get to the station to go home. The
Korean girl I went with said just cross the street and I could see the station
but I saw nothing after a long walk. It started raining heavily, the street
lights were off and no one could help me as they didn’t understand me. Suddenly,
I saw a lady who was walking on the street. I didn’t know why but I just came
up and asked her the way to get to the station in English. I showed her the map
with the name of the station on it but she couldn’t read since the characters were
too small. She only realized the station after I wrote its name down, and she took
me there no matter how heavy the rain was and how late it was. No words could express
how grateful I was to her. She was so kind to me. I don’t know how I would have
been without her.
This trip is definitely
unforgettable for me. It is not only because I have made it to Korea, eaten tons
of good food that I insanely love or enjoyed the stunning nature but also about
things and people I met on the road. Now I understand how risky travelling
alone is, especially in the countries we don’t know their languages, but it is
still my fascination. Not only has it helped me to understand myself better but
it has also given experiences that are essential for a solo traveler. Be calm
in any situation. Be flexible when one plan didn't work in the way we expected.
And more importantly, good people are everywhere.
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