4 June 2022
Backpacker beach without backpackers
Haeundae beach in Busan
Today I went to the most famous beach in Busan, Haeundae - yes just like the car only not the same spelling.
The beach is famous for hordes of (eastern?) European backpackers who could not afford to go to a real beach spot so ended up here instead, possibly due to Visa issues. Today there were basically none of them in summer, last time there were thousands, in winter! The few I did see looked like US soldiers on leave, or Russians with too much money who bought their freedom to come here instead of Sri Lanka where the rest of them are hiding.
I foolishly set off for my beach day at about 7am. I realised of course that this was silly, so got I off the subway about 5 stations early and walked the rest of the way. It was sunny at this point and I was getting too much sun, but I did go through the world of giant buildings.
All of these places I have been to before, but at night, or in winter, or a different way, so it was all quite new.
Tomorrow it may finally rain, there has not been a drop in the 2.5 weeks I have been here, that could curtail my plans so now I need to come up with back up plans. Onto the pics.
Apartment building comes with its own waterfall. I wonder what the strata fees are for that?
Last time I was here I walked around all those buildings, which were all labelled Trump something. I wonder if they still are.
Here is the worlds largest department store. No really. The sign suggests it has a zoo.
Proof of the above statement.
The Lotte store next door must feel inferior. People should appreciate the lengths I went to so that I could fit both of these into one photo.
And then over the road, Korean Wal-Mart. Do they sell assault rifles here too?
The local exhibition centre is also quite grand. Apparently Busan is hosting the 2030 world expo! Whatever the hell that is... It is set to be the worlds greatest spectacle since the 1982 Worlds fair in Knoxville Tennessee, but what will Busan do to top the sun sphere?
OK, here is the main drag at Haeundae. It is often featured on youtube. At xmas time there were a thousand fully decorated xmas trees here.
Now there are flowers, and mini versions of the Eiffel tower, statue of liberty, leaning tower of Pisa etc.
How fortunate I am, to be here during the annual sandcastle sculpture festival. Which also features the statue of liberty, Eiffel tower etc.
There is loud music blasting, jet skis, wannabe pop stars, and this meditation session. I am mildly amuse that the chief meditator is sitting in front of a screen with a picture of the ocean on it, blocking out the actual view of the actual ocean.
Tonight's dinner, probably. The one with the knife in it was not dead, yet.
Giant towers have sprung up on the beach front. I do not recall them being here last time I was here. Also they are made of glass instead of white cement, how very un-Korean.
It is actually a nice long, clean beach. Water looked clean too.
Last time I came here I think I missed the main street and immediately went off around those rocks.
Beach, with houses going up the hill and huge towers.
There is a traditional market street, mainly deep fried seafood in batter, but also sock shops for some reason, huge shops selling thousands of socks. And....
Live caterpillars. Maybe these will be my lunch, only $2 a bag. Yes they were wriggling.
Back near my hotel, and the cloud is rolling in. Also, a special police force has been established to monitor my activities!