Friday, April 24
It would be hard not to respond to the warmth of the Korean people. Although fairly reserved, they try so hard to understand our needs and always with a smile. No other cruise port we have visited on this trip has been so well organized, operated so efficiently or been so welcoming as both Jeju and Busan in Korea.
The city here runs a complimentary shuttle between the cruise port and the 7.5 kms to the centre of town. It was also a pleasure to be on a comfortable air-conditioned coach that was spotlessly clean and driven well!
The notes on Busan indicated that most things of interest were located in the city area and the only others further afield were more shrines, pagodas and temples. It really is like Europe - "not another cathedral!" so we decided to wander around the city area.
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Welcome to the World Famous Fish Market
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Still alive and swimming - well maybe not the sea urchins
Al had read about their "World Famous Fish Market" and was keen to go there. I have still not got the foul smell of dried fish and non-refrigerated meat covered in flies that we encountered at the Sihanoukville Open Air Market and some of the other markets in Asia, out of my system yet so I have to admit to being less keen. I needn't have worried - this market was something else. It was definitely selling fresher fish than Vic Market where fish lays on ice after being sourced from all over the world. Here, most things were still alive and swimming (or in the case of a giant crab I saw, climbing out of the tank!) and it is all caught locally. Watching sellers "net" the fish the customer chose then prepare it to their requirements was amazing. One lady bought a large octopus that was plucked from the tank kicking and screaming and just placed in a large plastic bag still wriggling. I was so glad I didn't have to cook it because I would have been scared of my dinner! Everything at the market was attractively displayed and the whole place was spotless. All the water in the tanks was constantly been changed so it remained nice and clear. It really was a great experience going through this market.
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Further on, we came to the dried fish and seaweed section, but still no nasty smells, and still everything attractively displayed. We saw some yellowish-orange pods hanging in clusters and the only thing we could think of was that they were dried cape gooseberries because they looked like a decoration we had had on a dessert in Prague but the big question was, why in the fish area? Al stopped a lady who looked as though she may speak some English so between her and the store holder, we ascertained they are a sort of spice used with fish and used to colour things - same effect as saffron I guess. The lady moved on then all of a sudden the store owner started hitting his watch and waving his arms ahead of him as though shooing us away then raising them above his head. I had no clue but Al said maybe there was a draw bridge down the lane that was about to go up - personally I think he had read the notes more thoroughly than me and knew about this bridge! We scurried down the lane and, as we got closer to the water, began to hear Italian opera music. The sight before us was hysterical - all these Korean people gathered at the foot of the bridge relishing in another photo opportunity - jumping in star jumps, lifting one hand high making the "V" sign, or posing to rival a Vogue model all to blaring Italian opera music. Right on the dot of 12 a siren sounded and everything went silent. They all turned to watch a section of the bridge go up. Now, were this to happen once a year, their excitement could be explained but this is a daily occurrence at 12 noon. Definitely a different culture to Australia!
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The siren sounded and all frivolities stopped to focus on the bridge opening
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There's always someone who doesn't "blend in"
After all the excitement, we made our way to Lotte, a large luxury brand department store. I think Myers May have got some of their design ideas from here - it was certainly impressive. Every hour on the hour (during store hours), there is a sound, light and dancing water show. We were in the Food Court marveling at how yummy and beautifully presented everything was when the 1pm show started. We took our seats, ate some of the tastiest dumplings we have had, and watched the show. I was occasionally distracted by the little guy sitting in front of me - around 18 - 24 mths old - who did not take his eyes off the show and kept beaming once it was over. We then continued our walk through this huge complex marveling at things we have not seen before - doesn't happen often these days! Al was taken with "Korean Pancakes" and felt the need to try one. It is best described as a flat donut without the hole, served hot - the difference is that it is sliced lengthwise but not right through creating a pocket into which brown suger that melts quickly and a dukkar mix of nuts and dried fruit is spooned in. I have to admit, they were fantastic but I am so grateful that they are not available in Oz - especially given my penchant for good donuts!
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Inside the Lotte Department store
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This little guy was transfixed by the show
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The Ice Cream Stand
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View from the Observation Deck with Busan Tower on the left
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One of the city's bridges
We went up to the Observation Deck at the top of the complex and got a wonderful 360 degree view of Busan. It is certainly a progressive city and some of it's bridges are breathtaking. We would have loved to sail out at night but our departure time was 5pm so we missed all the lights we had seen on photo boards around the city.
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Not our usual farewell
Sailing away from the Busan Cruise Port
Back at the Cruise Terminal the Tourist Information Board had organized a farewell for us, complete with traditional dancing, pop singers and funky rap dancers! This show lasted nearly 2 hours, and as we pulled away from the dock all the performers took to the stage to wave goodbye, along with the workers in the shops and tourist information stands. The illuminated sign behind them read "See you again" and from overhearing the conversations of many passengers, they will. Quite a send off and, as I said earlier, hard not to respond to the Korean people's warmth.
PS: To our dear niece Charlotte, aka Lotte, you have a very impressive department store in your name!
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