(Part 3) Busan, the Southern Frontier: From Touristy Seas to Colorful Slopes

- April 13, 2019, Saturday.

- Busan might not be filled with tourist spots with every turn of the head like the bustling South-Korean capital of Seoul, but Busan is not short of good spots to visit. After a series of successful meetings in Seoul and Busan, I celebrated my last day - and only free day - by going around Busan on my own before my flight back to Manila that night. I knew I was not going to have enough time to visit all the items off my must-see places, so I chose three places to visit so I wouldn't be rushing too much. After all, travel time is a bit unpredictable in Busan as the roads go up, down, through mountains, and so on, and some sites are not near the metro stops.

- I woke up around 6 in the morning not only to start my day early, but to catch the sunrise in Haeundae (Haeundae metro station.) Haeundae has gained popularity among locals and visitors because of its proximity to the city and its wide stretch. It also gained popularity due to the 2009 Korean disaster-themed film "Haeundae" (English title "Tidal Wave"); this makes me wonder why all the hypothetically bad things happen in Busan (remember Train to Busan?) or why people want bad things to happen to Busan haha.

- To be honest, it looks like any ordinary beach. I just like the fact that it's literally beside the city. As mentioned in an earlier post (click here for Part 1), Busan reminds me a lot of Waikiki, or even downtown Honolulu (click here to see my trip to Hawaii). To make things interesting, I did a photoshoot there as "Yongwang" or "Dragon King." The Koreans believe that "Yongwang" is the god of the sea and weather, as well as the god of dragons and the lord of all sea creatures. This mythological figure was originally from China (called "Longwang,") and is also recognized in Japan and Vietnam.   

My interpretation of a modern "Yongwang."

The beach does have its charm, even though I don't usually like going to beaches.

This is me as Yongwang, waterbending. Haha.

Just to prove that I am not in any random sea/beach in the world. Hahahaha.

- I hastily went back to the hotel after my morning shoot so I can change my clothes, have breakfast, and go on to my next stop. I had to move quickly since I had to be back at the hotel by 3:30pm before going to the airport with my other colleagues. I finished my breakfast like a vacuum cleaner would suck dust on the floor, and rode the cab to Seokbulsa, a temple on a mountain located at the north of Busan (closest to Mandeok metro station, or go to Oncheongjang metro station, walk to Geumgang Park from Exit 1, and take the cable car.) However, do note that the temple is HIGH UP THE MOUNTAIN, and taking the cab is the easiest way to reach the temple. The cab will reach a certain point of the mountain, and the rest is a mere 5-10 minute hike up to the entrance.

Entrance.

- I chose to go to Seokbulsa (after Haedong Yonggungsa that is,) among all the other historical temples in Busan even though it was one of the youngest historical temples - being only built in 1930, because of its distinct appearance. The monk who built this temple noticed that the rock formations on this mountain formed some sort of folds, making the temple easier to hide and the monks to have some peace and quiet. Today, it remains to be one of the most secluded temples, visited usually by devotees and usually-middle-aged hikers. The most appealing thing about this temple is the collection of Buddhas and heavenly beings carved directly at the side of the mountain. Seokbulsa actually reminded me a lot of the Air Nomad Temples in Avatar the Last Airbender because of its location and look.

Carvings at the side of the mountain. Still makes me wonder how they did this before.

It has narrow stairs.

Altar.

At the mid-level.

Images of Dangun, the alleged/mythological first king of Korea.

Plenty of Buddha statues.

Buddha after Buddha after Buddha.

- Although the temple was nice to see, the way out was a challenge. Taxis do not hang out much at the higher levels of Seokbulsa, so I had to find my way down the mountain. It was not difficult as there were signs, more or less paved paths, and other visitors/hikers who can be of help if you're not sure where to go. I was supposed to go to the metro station just in case a taxi wouldn't drive past me. I was almost near the ground when out of nowhere, a taxi appeared before me like some divine unicorn. I rode the cab to my final destination for the day - the famed Gamcheon Village.

- Gamcheon Village is located far from Seokbulsa and nearer to the downtown. Because of the distance and traffic, it took me around an hour to reach Gamcheon Village (Toseong metro station, then ride the bus to Pusan National University Hospital OR....as I strongly suggest, ride a cab from Toseon station if you took the metro.)

- Gamcheon Village is known today a an artsy village with pastel-colored houses. It was originally a shanty town made by the Korean War refugees, but the residents later decided to paint their houses to attract tourists and businesses (talk about creative and sustainable!!) Apart from coffee shops and artsy stores, there are also a lot of traditional and pop-cultural activities and attractions in the village. Just a tip, in Busan this is the best place to buy souvenirs; the Nampodong area in the downtown has some souvenir shops but they're scattered and hard to find. 

In rainbowland.

Your colorful bodyguard.

Feeling the breeze and the view.

It doesn't look as intimidating as how it used to look before the houses were painted.

Hello Little Prince.

Too bad I wasn't able to go inside!!

More of Gamcheon.

- Going around the village can be confusing, so it's also best to buy a map at the tourist center. The map also has prescribed routes depending on how much time you have. Since I didn't have much time left, I took the shortest route, but saw the souvenir shops right before leaving and got carried away buying incredibly cheap hanbok vests.

- I rode the metro back to Haeundae and had a late lunch. I made it in time to my 3:30 call time and rode off to the airport after rearranging some things in my bag.

My favorite dish before leaving Korea - bibim naengmyeon.

- My trip to Korea this time was short and busy, and had I known about my trip to Korea earlier I would have decided to extend so I could escape the burning heat of peak-summer Philippines. However, I was still happy that I was able to maximize my trip and discover unseen corners of Seoul, or experience a different region of Korea like Busan. Korea just keeps surprising me each time I go back, and I wouldn't want my trips to Korea any other way!! (See my trip to Seoul here, Busan Part 1 here, Part 2 here!!)

(Part 2) Busan, the Southern Frontier: Shopping and Seafood in Downtown Busan

- April 12, 2019, Friday.

- My first day in Busan (click here) has given me so much to look forward to! However, as my trip to Korea was a work-related trip, I still had to suit up when I needed to. Despite having a packed day, my Friday was still full of surprises!

- That morning we visited the newly-opened ASEAN Culture House, a cultural center dedicated to promoting knowledge about the ASEAN countries. The center organizes various cultural activities, workshops, performances, lectures, and so on. It also has a museum that shows different aspects of cultures of the 10 ASEAN countries. I initially thought that this was just an office building, but I was more entertained than I thought I'd be. I even go to experience a virtual reality trip to Cambodia's Angkor Wat! (This center is close to Jangsan metro station.)

Here we are!!

ASEAN countries.

Greetings in different languages.

Cambodian apsara costume.

Lao hilltribe costumes.

Burmese costumes.

Philippine exhibit.

Our team!

Experiencing VR!!

- After lunch we headed to Pukyong National University (near Kyungsung University & Pukyong National University metro station) to have a meetnig with some counterparts. This university, though not really a "tourist site" per se, was something I thought was special as it boasts to be one of the (if not the only) "flat" university campus in Korea. Korea has plenty of mountains and hills so much so that most universities are not built on flat ground. Pukyoung National University, however, was built on reclaimed land, and so its campus is flat.

A perfect view of Busan from the rooftop garden.

Campus.

I love their library's rooftop garden!!

- We had a brief tour around the university after our meeting, and later, we were driven to the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, which was near Pukyong National University and Busan Museum (it's closer to Daeyon Station, the station next to Pukyong metro station.) The cemetery was built to bury the soldiers who fought during the Korean War from 1950-1953 (it was the war that separate Korea into two.) The cemetery itself was built in 1951, though it only became a "UN" cemetery after around 20 years. It is the only United Nations cemetery in the world.

The only UN cemetery in the world.

Chapel.

Request granted.

Statistics.

The cemetery. So many tombs. Many of them were quite young, in their late teens or early twenties.

Memorial.

- Later on we had some time to shop at the downtown area of Busan called Nampodong (near Jagalchi metro station and Nampo metro station). Apart from the shopping area that can remind one of Seoul's Myeongdong  - full of cosmetics shops, clothes stores, and other cute stuff - the is also known for the Yongdusan Park, where the Busan Tower stands.

Busan Tower.

The streets of Nampodong.

Sunset. (So many restaurants!!)

- That evening we had seafood for dinner, and I was finally able to try snow crab!! I actually wanted the king crab, but I underestimated its size (and more so, its price!!) Still, the snow crab was quite big and it did make it a happy fat boy that night.

ONE DAY. ONE. DAY. I WILL EAT YOU.

I had a snow crab instead.

The aftermath.

Nampodong at night.

See the Busan Tower?

Busan Harbor Bridge illuminated at night.

Gwangandaegyo or Diamond Bridge.

- Finally, I was able to rest well at our hotel that night after a series of successful meetings with our partner universities and institutions. However, I still had one free day left before leaving Busan for Manila. It was my most-awaited part of the trip as it was my time to explore Busan on my own. You know what they say - save the best for last! (See my trip to Seoul here, Busan Part 1 here, and Part 3 here!!)