On tour with Estelle and Jean-Marc: Busan and Daegu

After landing in Busan, we immediately realized that we aren't any more in Japan, because people in South Korea have a quite different mentality.

We noticed this for the first time in the subway from the airport to our accommodation. While sitting on our seats, we were constantly eyeballed by some senior citizens. At first we didn't know why, but then we found out, that we were erroneously sitting on spaces reserved for pregnant women or elderly people (half of the subway seats are reserved for them). So we stood up and offered them our seats. Instead of saying thank you, they turned up their noses at us.
Then throughout our stay here, we were rammed countless times by people in the subway/on the street and they didn't even bother to look up not to mention to apologize (probably we were spoiled by the wariness and subtlety of the Japanese).

Nevertheless, all the Koreans we met personally were very friendly, curious and open minded!

The second largest city of South Korea, 'Busan', lies on the shore of the Korean South Sea in between various hills which gives the city its unique urban landscape. It has the largest beach of South Korea and is a popular summer holiday destination for the Koreans.

In and around the city are a lot of sights to visit. We chose only a few because we had merely some days left. We went to the only UN cemetery worldwide and learned some more about the Korean War (1950-1953). We climbed on one of the hills in the heart of Busan and hiked through the forest along the rocky coast. We ate a traditional Korean dish and visited the largest fish market of South Korea ('Jagalchi market').

Once we left the city, a strong typhoon hit Busan and caused extensive damage to the city.

From Busan, we travelled to Daegu (fourth largest city) and visited the Gatbawi Medicine Buddha on the Palgongsan Mountain. It is said that this Buddha grants you a wish once in a lifetime, if you pray for it with your whole heart.

Here we discovered that the Koreans are a trekking nation, because even the most unathletic person wears the newest functional clothing.

After those two big and busy cities, we needed a little break and organized for ourselves a little time-out in the countryside :)

The fish is freshly prepared for you if you plan to eat it on the market in Busan.

The Giant Japanese Spider Crabs look like they were coming from a Science Fiction movie.

They also sold skinned eels that were still alive and moving in a plastic bag.

A 32 cm long ice cream.

At the UN cemetery in Busan. The Korean War has got an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records as the war that was supported by the highest number of allies (67 countries).