Busan - Ulsan - Gyeongju, WTRD 10, September 13, 2017

Youngsters Explore Nature in the Park

Today's Itinerary:

Day 5, 9/13 (Wed): Busan - Ulsan - Gyeongju (B,L,D) After breakfast, visit Ulgi Park, littered with rocks carved into interesting shapes by the wind and ocean. Next, explore Bulguksa Temple, the representative relic designated as a World Cultural Asset by UNESCO in Gyeongju. Explore to Gyeongju National Museum, Tumuli Park, and Cheomseongdae Observatory. After check in at the hotel, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation: Gyeongju Hilton Hotel or Similar (5-Star)  

Beautiful Busan

There is not a cloud in the sky this morning as we say good morning and good-bye to Busan. Both sea and sky are blue.  Where the sea meets the sand, the water is smooth and flat. People walk along the pathway eating up the morning sun before it becomes hot and sticky.

We board our bus at 8:30 am and are on our way to our first destination.  It is hard to believe that we are now more than half way on our tour and only have three days left.

Picturesque Ulsan - Ulgi Park

First Light House 1906

Second Light House 1994

Ulgi Park, recently renamed Daewangam Park, was originally built by the Japanese in the 1906. It was the first lighthouse built in Korea.  The second lighthouse was built in 1994.  Both are built on hill above a rocky prominence that extends into the sea.

The rock formations are picturesque during the day, but were deadly at night, hence the need for lighthouses.  

The blue green water is an abundant source of sea cucumbers, abalone, and urchins, depending on the season.

Divers search for sea creatures.

Fisher people have production camps set up on the water's edge.

The park attracts teachers and their students of all ages who are learning about and interacting with nature.

After our hike to the lighthouses, we traveled past the Hyundai factory production and shipping facility.  We wish we would have had time to tour the facility where they produce 2,800 cars a day! 

The parking lot for new cars is 3 kilometers long.

Several carriers are loading simultaneously.

We arrive at a quaint Korean guest house in the middle of a rice field for lunch.

and then we are on our way to Gyeongju, to see the Bulgaska Temple, Gyeongju National Museum, and Obeservatory.

Gyeongju

Bulgaska Temple

Another lovely temple.  Just when we think we have seen the biggest, most active, most artistic temple there is to see, there is yet another one.  Russ is getting temple fatigue and refused to wear long pants or take off his shoes to go into another temple.  This one was quite large and built on a stone platform.  Very impressive.

Lotus Lantern Donations

Gyeongju National Museum

Flying Horse Emblem

Kingly Remains

Tumuli Park

Young couple in traditional dress pose for photos.

Cheomseongdae Observatory

The Cheomseongdae (means stargazing in Korea) is the oldest astrological observatory in Gyeongju, and perhaps the world.

 

The observatory is situated in Silla just a few hundred meters from Silla Royal Kingdom Tombs.  Little observers come here too.

It's been an active day with lots to see and do with little driving time in between stops. Usually, I can edit photos and blog while we drive, but hardly had a chance to do so today and frankly am too tired tonight write much.  Nevertheless, it was a great day.

All is Well With the Worrall Travel R's in Gyeongju, South Korea

Yeosu - Jinju - Busan, WTRD 9, September 12, 2017

Today's Itinerary:

Day 4, 9/12 (Tue): Yeosu - Jinju - Busan (B,L,D) After breakfast, take a ferry to Odongdo Island where you can walk along the breakwater and see 70 species of wildflowers. Next, visit Jinjuseong Fortress, historically linked to the Japanese invasion in 1592. Go to Busan and head to Dongbaekseom Island near Haeundae Beach. Visit Centum City Shopping Mall, Korea's most sought-after shopping destination. After dinner, check in at the hotel and spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Accommodation: Novotel Ambassador Busan or Similar (5-Star) 

It was a treat this morning to leave at 9:00 am.  After a great night sleep and natural wake up at 6:30 am, we walked out on our balcony to a lovely sunny morning, overlooking Hidden Bay in beautiful Yeosu. 

View from our hotel room balcony

Yeosu is on the southern end of Korea.  We start our trip back north to Seoul today.  

After lunch our group will merge with a larger group that left Seoul this morning (4 hours express drive).  Mark will be the tour guide for 18 of us on the return 3 day trip up the east coast  back to Seoul on a larger bus. It's been very nice with such a small group.  We have become spoiled with lots of room to spread out, but it will be fun to meet up with other English speakers as well.

Ondongo Island

Our itinerary today has already changed a bit.  Instead of a ferry ride to Ondongdo Island, we take a cable car.  We had a wonderful bird's eye perspective as we smoothly passed by the tops of the bridges and over the shipyards and bay. We spend an hour and a half to and fro the island with time in between to wonder around, take photos, and have some coffee.

Lunch and Merger:

Our lunch today included a vegetable beef soup that was cooked at our table, and it was quite tasty.  

When the five of our group was half way through our meal, the 13 new people took their seats and now we are one big family.  We have yet to learn all the names, but we have met Sun from Utah, Sue and Brad from Pennsylvania, Dave from Australia, Maddison a almost seven year old from Australia, and her parents, Donna and Michael, Cindy from Florida,   Our new bus is big and more spacious than the smaller bus.  Yeah.

Jinjuseong Fortress:

During the heat of the day with little enthusiasm to leave the air conditioned bus,  we tour the Jinguseon Fortress which was built in the 1500's and became a primary stronghold in 1592 in the defense of a Japanese attack.   It overlooks the river.  We see another beautiful temple 

and war memorial inside the walls,

and we hear a story of a Korean woman who entertains a Japanese General.  They dance on a rock by the river.  She wears a ring on each finger so that when her hands are clenched together her hold is strong and fierce.  She wraps her arms around the general as they dance, and in defense of her country, she throws her self in to the river where both she and the general drown.

Dongbaekseom Island near Haeundae Beach, Centrum City Shopping Mall:

Our trip up to Busan takes two plus hours.  Mark welcomes the new travelers and repeats much of what we have heard already.  So some of us nod off.  Eventually we reach the shopping area and are given an hour of time to explore.  

Massive ceilings, a view from the first floor looking up.

Russ looking at VW Bus Stroller

From the top looking down.

This is a wine cooler.  Very unique.

We end our day with a brisk walk out to an island to  see the sunset.  

All is Well with the Worrall Travel R's in Busan