The past week had been busy and I was overly occupied with work. I attended a 6 days Longevitology class two weeks ago (just ended last Sunday) and it was an enlightening experience whereby I learnt how to breathe, meditate and healing with hands. Today, finally, a day off with friends, family and this blog.
Finally, the last post for the whole trip (the next trip is just mainly on shopping haul and tips). I am going to end it with our last day in Busan post. The last day was pretty relaxing apart from the first half at the temple. Overall, we enjoyed Busan and wished we had more time to go to Gyeongju. In our next visit, I'll make sure that it happened.
Busan Day 4 (19/10/2014) Itinerary
Haedong Yonggungsa (Haedong Yong Gung Temple)
Seomyeon - High Street & Underground Shopping Centre
Dadaepo Sunset Fountain of Dreams
How to get to the temple is depends on where you are coming from. From Haeundae, there is a bus which you can take to the bus stop about 15 minutes to the temple. However, our hostel staffs asked us to catch the taxi instead to the temple because even if you get the bus, it is a bit of a walking/hiking to the temple from there.
So, we took her advise and got on to passing by taxis to the temple. It was quite a long drive and we get to see the housing complexes along the way. We also got to know that E-Mart is just a subway station away from Haeundae. OMG! Well, we didn't have enough time to go there now.
The entrance to the temple is free. You will see this sign board on the left side of where the taxi driver drop you off.
And this building and parking lots on the right. It's the fisheries office by the way.
The entrance to the temple is straight ahead after all those makeshift stalls.
As you walk, around 5 minutes later, you will be greeted by the 12 animal zodiacs. It is a good start for photography because at this point, you will know everybody's zodiac and maybe, their age based on their appearance too.
I could be 18 or 30 or 42. No prizes for correct answer ya. =)
Before you can reach the temple, you will have to go through 108 steps starting from this pagoda. You will be greeted with many Buddha statues along the way and people pausing to do many 'rubbings' and praying.
Do rub the tummy if you want a son.
Don't get shock by the head. Mind your step and watch your head.
Popular with children and school-goers.
Tada! Amazing isn't it? The whole temple sitting on the rocks by the sea. It is also the only temple by the shore.
Back to the usual route and towards the scenic view of the temple.
When crossing the pedestrian bridge to the temple you will see this on the left. You may make a wish and throw a coin towards the furthest pond inside. Your wish will come through if your coin actually could end up the furthest.
On the right of the bridge
Too adorable to be missed!
I found my family at last and we went back to the iconic view of the temple again.
and had some popsicle! Cousin is having a melon flavoured one.
I liked the grape one best. Had it before back in 2011 in Seoul.
We got so famished after the visit at the temple and weather was so good, sunny and hot! I didn't expect autumn to be so warm in Busan. After the temple, we took the taxi back to Haeundae and from Haeundae, we took the subway to Seomyeon. We split and some of us went to a Gundam store and the rest explored the area on our own. We had some coffee and dessert.
Seomyeon is in the district of Busanjin-Gu and it's subway station is the interchange between the subway lines towards the west, east, north and south of Busan city. So, when considering where to stay, I would suggest here in Seomyeon. But if you don't mind the travelling time (around 40 minutes in 16 subway stops), Haeundae is gorgeous too if you like the beach!
We had our lunch at Yoogane Ddakgalbi! It's a franchise restaurant selling fried rice and chicken. You can add on a lot of side orders and the dish will be fried in front of you by the staffs.
After lunch, we went exploring while searching for the rest of the family members. Thank God for EG simcard! So, if you are staying for more than 5 days, please get the simcard. It is way cheaper than renting a wifi-egg.
We found our family and gathered around at Seomyeon's underground shopping centre. I have been searching for this brand called "Too Cool for School" because of their make-up products and I wanted to get them because the packaging is really cool for school! Well, I am not in school anymore but it is too cool for work, too! You'll get what I mean in the next post.
From Seomyeon station, we took Line 1 (Orange) towards Sinpyeong station, which is the last one in the line. We are going to catch the sunset fountain of dreams at Dadaepo.
At Sinpyeong station, it is really quiet because it is really the furthest I have been in Busan after Taejeongdae Park.
We took photo of the fountain location at the map in the station.
Got an idea of where it is going to be.
From the station, we should be catching the bus towards the Dadaepo beach and get down at Daewoo Apartment. The beach is just opposite of the bus stop at the apartment.
The fountain show is only at 7pm and it is close on Mondays. The show is around 15 minutes and the fountain is accompanied by music. So, it is like a musical fountain show. You can even walk around and play in the fountain.
Don't worry if you drenched by the water. There is a heater just beside the fountain to keep you dry and warm.
The kid was asking the ajusshi to not turn off the heater yet because he is feeling very cold and wet! The uncle obliged for a bit. How thoughtful!
Is it worth the visit? Yes! At least, it is a path less travelled by tourists and for your information, there is going to be a subway station to Dadaepo. There are construction works going on to build a station here, and it should be after Sinpyeong station. So, in the future, Dadaepo Sunset Fountain of Dreams will be on the must visit list for all in Busan. After the fountain show, you can also have your dinner here.
We picked a porridge restaurant called Bonjuk. I believed it is a franchise. Operated by a mother and daughter. They do take-aways too. The restaurant has limited seats and we actually occupied the whole restaurant. Haha..
Left: Spicy kimchi and seafood porridge and on the right, mushroom and vegetables porridge. Very very nice after a cold fountain show.
Our last day was 20th October 2014 where we took a flight back to KL from Gimhae International Airport at 10.35am. Our hostel booked a jumbo taxi for us (KRW56,000) for 8 pax and luggages. Busan had been nice to us in terms of weather and it only rained on our last day when we were going back.
Get your last minute shopping here at Shinsegae Duty Free. Note: Banila Co and Too Cool For School are not available at the airport.
Thank you Busan and Jeju-do for making us felt just like at home. We love your autumn!
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