Busan is the largest port city in South Korea and the third largest port in the world. The beautiful beaches attract people from all over the world giving Busan the title of the summer capital. Our tour today took us out of the crazy densely populated bustling city (we will have enough of that when we get to Seoul and beyond) and to Gyeongju and a UNESCO world heritage site.
Our ship was greeted this morning by a wonderful dance troupe.
Then we were off to the Gyeongji National Museum, a 90 minute bus ride away. Opened in 1945 this Museum was built in the classic Korean style, the collection dates back to the Silla and Buddhists periods, there are a few select pictures, a pair of earrings and smallish statue and the Divine Bell of King Seongdeok. What was particularly interesting here was the children, thousands of them on a field trip from all over South Korea, very cute all trying out their english on us - “Hello; Where are you from; Nice to meet you; Have a nice day” The pictures speak for themselves (the “V” sign they are doing stands for victory - a very traditional symbol).
Then we were off to an archaeological site in Tumuli Park, the burial site for the Silla Kings. The mounds in this picture is a burial site and there are very many of these here, one was cut open for us to go into and shows all the items buried with a King. Always facing South by the way, for good luck in the next life.
Lunch at a Hilton Hotel, very good buffet then off to the Bulguksa Temple. Erected in the 15 year of King Kim DaeSong, a good part of this site was burnt down and then rebuilt in 1972. a very beautiful park like setting with a number of buddhist temples. This is a site that has received the UNSECO world heritage site status and is very spectacular. And yes a number of children here as well, all very happy to have their picture taken.
Back to the ship with a send off dance troupe and then to the sail away party for on the firsat time of this cruise was warm enough (barely) to have the band on deck playing us out of the Busan Harbour.
Tomorrow we will be in Jeju City on Cheju Island, South Korea.
Tip or comment of the day - Education here is huge and the children here feel very fortunate to have the education and work extremely hard to succeed. By the sheer numbers we have seen here and then multiply that by the many oriental / asian ports we will be visiting I believe the west needs to take note of this as this area of the world will take over as in many cases as it already has. I believe we in Canada are okay but perhaps not so confident with our friends south of the border - time for a system change.
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