Thursday 16 April Busan,South Korea

It was certainly rocky areas overnight and I'm very thankful that I'm feeling okay as many others weren't. There was something banging in the cabin overnight that I thought was a door not properly closed. So at about 2am I'm checking all the doors, with no success. A short time later we are both up again checking doors, moving suitcases,etc in our attempt to locate the mystery noise. No success so we gave up! Still don't know what it was, but it meant there was no solid sleep for the rest of the night. After breakfast we head off on our coach, into Busan. We have docked in Ulsan which is a commercial ship yard that handles secret squirrel cargo. There is an international cruise ship port, but our little ship has been allowed to dock at Ulsan. This means that we get on the coach by our ship, travel 500 metres to the security gate, get off the ship, and one by one have to show out passports and then go through a scanner to end up the other side of the boom gate to get back on our coach to commence our tour to Busan which is about an hour away. We have been told not to take any photos whatsoever of this area. Whatever cargo they are shipping, is covered under large green tarps, weighted down by car tyres. No idea what it is and I have no need to sneak a peek.

First impression of South Korea is that it a much more modern, with impressive buildings than I imagined. Our first stop is Gamcheon Yonggungsa which is a pretty seaside temple with lovely ocean views. Once again, it is very crowded and our local guide Sam, manages to get us through the crowd to the Buddha and temple. Buddhism and Shintoism is very much merged in their cultural beliefs, although these days, Protestant is the major religion, with half the population indicating no religion in the census. The paper lanterns are very colourful and hold the wishes of believers.

We then head to the Gamcheon Culture village, passing so many high rise apartment towers and business blocks. Kore is as built as Japan, so any flat land available is taken up by high rise buildings.

Gamcheon has an interesting history in that initially there were hundreds of refugees from the north and other nearby countries who came to Busan as it was not touched by the Korean war. It started out as a shanty town but as people stayed put and settled permanently there, the decision was made to beautify the area. There are very narrow and steep walkways through the buildings plus no room for vehicles apart from the main thoroughfare which is mainly for pedestrians, but it has now become a very popular tourist spot, with little colourful shops along the way and a number of shops to hire traditional costumes to wear for a set time.

My only complaint was that we had absolutely no time to check out any of the shops, due to 2 women on our coach taking an inordinately long time in the bathroom when we got off the coach, before we had even started the walk though the village! However now back on the coach into the city are for our lunch at a Korean beef restaurant.

It was okay, but nothing to write home about. So back on the coach to get to the Gukje market which is one of the city's largest traditional markets and then a wander through Jagaichi market which is the fish market. Again, absolutely no dawdling and no opportunity to check out any of the ships which appeared to be offering really good products at great prices, seeing as $1 Aus equalled about 1,000 Korean won.

We next head to Yongdusan Park and Busan tower. Sam told us that we would not have time to go up to the top of the tower, which turned out to not be the case, so we missed out on that experience and the views from atop the 120 metre high lookout. We had to make do with what everyone corks see from the base of the tower.

Time to get back on the coach and head back to our ship for a 75 minute drive. It had been a good day but very disappointed at not having any free time at all. Would have loved the chance to do some shopping, but only have photos of my day in South Korea rather than any special local item I world have preferred.

Back at the port and we go through the same security process before being able to board the ship again. It is now after 5pm and the bar is calling.

We have the briefing for tomorrow and are advised that it will continue to be rocky seas again until we get back to Japan tomorrow late morning. Time for dinner and itis the first time I have been disappointed with my main meal. The barramundi was not good at all and the best risotto was mush.I filled up on cheese and crackers instead.

We shared dinner with Simon and Owen againwho invited us for drinks in the lounge so we head up to the lounge for a nightcap where one of the crew is giving a talk on Japanese folklore and manganese characters. Owen shouts me a nip of Glenmorangie so I am certainly in my element. Time for bed so we are all looking forward to a solid night's sleep and a lie in as we don't arrive in the next port until after 11am. Would like to get back to South Korea one day but it is unlikely.