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Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Page 3

Day 7 - Monday, 9 March 2015

Recovery mountain

Hiking Apsan in Daegu

What better way to rest your aching legs from climbing about on mountains than to climb another? None I say.
This particular mountain is called Apsan, and is at the southern edge of Daegu, as the pictures will show. I think the name literally means near mountain.
It is a very busy, very developed scenic attraction, no mud today. However the paths that are not steps are very steep, and much harder on your calfs than steps are.
If you have ever climbed to the peak in Hong Kong, it was steeper than that, and also longer.
Evenutally it became steps and rocks, but the path was very clear and people were everywhere.
They all go so slow and stop all the time, to compare notes on how well their mountaineering poles and technical pants are going. I should get myself a few pairs of these pants. They are on special now because its the end of winter.

Whilst I was up there, the weather changed, and its now blowing a gale. I hear this is causing the yellow sands from the Gobi desert of China to blow in and kill us all.
BBC news is reporting that it is going to be very cold on the Korean peninsular, so I guess theres going to be more hat days ahead.

Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Heres 3 Korean soldiers off to report for duty, carrying their beauty products.

Heres 3 Korean soldiers off to report for duty, carrying their beauty products.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Subway stations have mini health check stations in every one. Clearly, I need to press 2 buttons at once. Interestingly, only stress and ADHD were in

Subway stations have mini health check stations in every one. Clearly, I need to press 2 buttons at once.
Interestingly, only stress and ADHD were in English, clearly because these are western inventions.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - I like to check my blood pressure every time I go into or out of a subway station. Old guys like to hang out by the blood pressure machine. They have

I like to check my blood pressure every time I go into or out of a subway station.
Old guys like to hang out by the blood pressure machine. They have some plastic chairs set up and take it in turns to see how well they are doing.
I have to fight my way to the front of the line to use the machine. If you get in my way old man, I will smack you.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - This is todays mountain. Apparently theres a cable car somewhere. I didnt see it. The internet says to catch a bus from where I am standing for this p

This is todays mountain.
Apparently theres a cable car somewhere. I didnt see it.
The internet says to catch a bus from where I am standing for this photo, to the foot of the trail, because its far.
Bullshit, its 10 minutes walk.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - This time I didnt forget the supplies! Although in hindsight, today I didnt need them! I bought sunscreen which was $5! I felt badly ripped off. This

This time I didnt forget the supplies! Although in hindsight, today I didnt need them!
I bought sunscreen which was $5! I felt badly ripped off.
This will blow my $20 a day budget for today, unless I eat like a peasant.....


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - The tunnel under the highway to the start of the trail has decided to go with the ever popular star walk theme. As seen in Shanghai, Beijing, Nanjing,

The tunnel under the highway to the start of the trail has decided to go with the ever popular star walk theme.
As seen in Shanghai, Beijing, Nanjing, Osaka.... every city in the world where its not possible to see stars due to smog.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - This path is much much steeper than it looks. People coming down zig zag to slow themselves or go backwards. I found it to be an amazing calf workout.

This path is much much steeper than it looks. People coming down zig zag to slow themselves or go backwards.
I found it to be an amazing calf workout. Cause I needed one.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Is mountain, has temple. Is temple, has loudspeaker system. Has loudspeaker system, has mega distortion issues.

Is mountain, has temple.
Is temple, has loudspeaker system.
Has loudspeaker system, has mega distortion issues.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - About half way up, impressive view of the city below. Daegu is called 'the colorful city' however at the end of winter before trees grow back, its mos

About half way up, impressive view of the city below. Daegu is called 'the colorful city' however at the end of winter before trees grow back, its mostly grey.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - And at the top theres an arch, which at night is bright white. You can actually walk up here at night which would give a great view of the city lights

And at the top theres an arch, which at night is bright white. You can actually walk up here at night which would give a great view of the city lights.
Chances are if you google image search Daegu you will see a shot of the city lights from here.
Also note the padlocks, you can declare your undying love before plummeting to your death, and surprisingly, total lack of people.
I removed all my clothing for an awesome selfie.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Vertigo time. The very strong winds started just as I was here.

Vertigo time. The very strong winds started just as I was here.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Todays panorama. I found the view to be particularly impressive.

Todays panorama. I found the view to be particularly impressive.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - I couldnt find anywhere to set my camera down for the regular pose, so an arm length selfie is the best I could do. Thats enough mountain photos for t

I couldnt find anywhere to set my camera down for the regular pose, so an arm length selfie is the best I could do.
Thats enough mountain photos for today.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - This is number one restaurant street in all Daegu! Signs told me. Its currently orange plastic tent world. Alfresco dining. They have optimistically p

This is number one restaurant street in all Daegu! Signs told me.
Its currently orange plastic tent world. Alfresco dining.
They have optimistically placed flags from all over the world along the street, only I didnt see one place that wasnt korean bbq, bibimbap or blood sausage.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Wrong side of the tracks exploration time, first up is the local 7 level supermarket. One of these big brands really should come to Australia and take

Wrong side of the tracks exploration time, first up is the local 7 level supermarket.
One of these big brands really should come to Australia and take on the big 2.
They are an order of magnitude better than Woolworths or Coles.
I am setting up a meeting with the management tomorrow, if you want to get on board my joint venture, let me know.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - This is the Daegu opera house. It looks more like a shopping centre. I remember seeing on previous nights in subway station big signs explaining what

This is the Daegu opera house. It looks more like a shopping centre. I remember seeing on previous nights in subway station big signs explaining what is opera?
The opera house is brand new, they are still peeling the plastic off bits of it (entire buildings come shrink wrapped here).
Koreans need instructions on how to appreciate opera. Actually so do Australians. Go read about the controversy surrounding the use, banning of, use of, re banning of subtitle screens.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - A new neighbourhood of identical Samsung buildings. Samsung is a construction company too. They are also a car company, although Samsung cars is major

A new neighbourhood of identical Samsung buildings. Samsung is a construction company too.
They are also a car company, although Samsung cars is majority owned by Renault now, so all Samsung cars are based on Nissan designs, who are also owned by Renault.
Back to the buildings, I had a wander around because I was genuinely interested. The bottom floors are shops, restuarants, cafes, childcare, kindergarten.
They also have sports courts, playgrounds, gardens. The for lease / sale ads showed the inside of the rooms, and they looked decent to me.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - And because I had filled up on cookies I didnt need, and blown my budget on sunscreen, todays lunch was ramen, direct from the packet, with an added e

And because I had filled up on cookies I didnt need, and blown my budget on sunscreen, todays lunch was ramen, direct from the packet, with an added egg and spring onions.... $2! And not worth a penny more.
The photo showed a bright red spicy soup with noodles in it. I think she left the flavour thing out.

I used too many ..... today, I need to stop that...


Random nonsense

The old market and new monorail of Daegu

After returning from recovery mountain, I decided to give my spa bath a whirl.
It seemed to have lots of jets and something that makes bubbles that you have to sit on.
So I fill up the path, gently lower myself in, and press the button.
Two of the jets in the spa were somehow angled upwards, which fired water across the bathroom. Amused at the situation, I go to turn it off, no such luck.
About 9 button presses later whilst trying to block the offending jets with various body parts, I managed to calm the raging beast.

Next up, I thought I might relax with a cup of green tea, using my in room boiling water dispenser and filter thing, one of many features of my fine room.
The hotel has kindly provided me with a paper cup, the exact same kind they might give you at the dentist to rinse with.
Not to worry, I dont really like green tea much, so a small cup will be fine. I proceed to fill the cup from the hot water, its so hot that I have to put it down immediately, upon which the bottom of the cup dissolved, and boiling water washed across my plastic wooden floor.

Oh well, apparently its going to be freezing cold tomorrow, with strong winds, maybe I cant go to a mountain. A shame as I have 2 more near Daegu I would have liked to conquer, and subsequently post boring photos of.

Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Korean white wizard guy is succesfully performing the most feminine dance I have ever witnessed.

Korean white wizard guy is succesfully performing the most feminine dance I have ever witnessed.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Cat suit guy is giving me the peace sign. I did not respond. Instead I took his photo.

Cat suit guy is giving me the peace sign. I did not respond. Instead I took his photo.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Still on the peasent meals to compensate for my sunscreen purchase. I ordered omurice, if you dont know what that is, sorry I cant help. So it looked

Still on the peasent meals to compensate for my sunscreen purchase. I ordered omurice, if you dont know what that is, sorry I cant help.
So it looked like omurice in the plastic sculpture, but the woman making it was not skilled in the art of folding rice inside an omlette. So I got some rice with an egg on top, and a hamburger pattie. It was actually very nice though! and CHEAP!


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Random gate, nice rims on that sik daewoo.

Random gate, nice rims on that sik daewoo.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - I wandered out of the main area, but was constantly made aware that I was on top of a subterranean world of shops selling socks and stockings.

I wandered out of the main area, but was constantly made aware that I was on top of a subterranean world of shops selling socks and stockings.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - If I was here in a couple of weeks time, the monorail would be running. Metro line 3 for Daegu. It is so close to being operational that the monorails

If I was here in a couple of weeks time, the monorail would be running. Metro line 3 for Daegu. It is so close to being operational that the monorails are doing test laps to see if they smash into each other on corners etc.
Australians might be confused, as its a monorail but theres 2 tracks. Thats because theres one track for each direction.
There is only one monorail left in Australia to my knowledge, at Seaworld, but much like the Sydney one thats now fallen down, its just one track which goes around in a pointless circle.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Huge bones. Seriously 6 foot high. I dont know what they came out of. Fresh!

Huge bones. Seriously 6 foot high. I dont know what they came out of. Fresh!


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Last photo for this evening, the line at the waffle shop. I hung out in the line for a while despite not wanting a waffle. I just like to experience t

Last photo for this evening, the line at the waffle shop.
I hung out in the line for a while despite not wanting a waffle. I just like to experience the hell out of the line.


There are currently 8 comments - click to add

Jumbo Thai on 2015-03-09 said:

Amazing scenery! Cannot believe you trekked up that Mountain on 2 bars.


mother on 2015-03-09 said:

One of those bones/cadavers has a very unusual tail.


bobule on 2015-03-09 said:

definite lack of beef products. nice mountains though!


David on 2015-03-09 said:

Wasnt aware about the titles, now I have to try and do that.
Was aware about the cold, should only be a day and a half, but its already freezing here now. This is mainly due to the gale forced winds.


adriana on 2015-03-09 said:

Have you noticed that your headings for the day often can be combined humorously?


jenny on 2015-03-09 said:

Minus 9 and 1 degree for Seoul tomorrow.
Maybe you need to buy a coat after all.


David on 2015-03-09 said:

.....


Mother on 2015-03-09 said:

Used too many what? Rent one of those apartments as a holiday home for all of us.


Day 8 - Tuesday, 10 March 2015

Wrong buddha

Hiking Palgonsan near Daegu at Gatbawi

Despite warnings of a world ending freeze / blizzard, I woke up feeling so strong that I thought I better go to another mountain.
This was my last chance in Daegu to go to a Daegu mountain before I move to Busan tomorrow and do some Busan mountains.
The internet told me the place to go in Daegu was the Gatbawi buddha. A giant stone thing with a traditional Korean hat. Koreans love that someone carved a buddha with their favourite hat.
I read plenty of descriptions on 1500 steps to the top, people that didnt make it because they are weak and useless, and that they nearly died to get to the top.
So off I set, on express bus number 1, presuming this would go to the number 1 Daegu attraction in all Korea and or world.

Getting off the bus, the mountains were indeed impressive, but I expected there to be more people. There was however a big map, and I picked my path.
I kind of expected the path to be friendlier, and marked, it wasnt. I wasted an hour at one point going the wrong way, and had to do the most hated of all things, double back.
I then followed a different path to various peaks, which dont look as impressive in the photos below as they actually were, but no sign of the buddha.

Not to worry, I pressed on, I think I stayed on the top too long exploring the weather station and tv / phone towers, because my nose started to feel like it was burning, frostbite perhaps?
Before getting to the top, I was actually quite warm, no need for my hat even (universal gauge for how cold I am).
I decided that the famed buddha statue must be at the top of the cable car station I could see, and started my perilous descent.
Again I was amazed that the path was so hard to follow, just the occasional rope, ribbons in trees etc.
On more than one occasion I lost the trail, and doubled back to do an investigation. At these times, I was checking for phone signal, and wondering why I cant see anyone else enjoying the greatest tourist attraction in East Asia.
Eventually, I arrived at the cable car top station, which had 2 restaurants, and awesome coffee (more on that below), but no buddha!
There were signs here pointing to a temple, so I left in that direction, down steep slopes, and again, wondered if I was on the right path, the path to enlightenment perhaps.
Occasionally I was reassured by a bit of old rope, or some footprints in the mud, but mainly I was letting gravity dictate my course.
Finally after 6 excellent hours on the mountain, I found a very nice temple, with a HUGE buddha, but it was the wrong buddha!
Once I got back on the bus and it was warm enough to google properly on my phone, I found out the right buddha was about 10km away, barely up the mountain at all, no more than 500 metres from the bus stop, and on a completely different bus route.
I think I would have been disappointed had I gone to the right buddha, walked up a few steps, then gone home.
My getting lost on the peaks of what is collectively known as Palgonsan was a fantastic day! Now onto the boring photos.

Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Keen to include some photos of non mountain and temple things, heres my snack for the bus ride. The bus driver was suitably skilled at being a maniac

Keen to include some photos of non mountain and temple things, heres my snack for the bus ride.
The bus driver was suitably skilled at being a maniac driver.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Theres my mountain, with the comms equipment on top. All day I was buzzed by F15 jets from an airforce base, I only glimpsed them occasionally, but I

Theres my mountain, with the comms equipment on top.
All day I was buzzed by F15 jets from an airforce base, I only glimpsed them occasionally, but I believe they were doing low level stuff in the valleys.
It must make prayers in the temples an interesting experience.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Huge map was informative. Also there was a small store to buy water etc. Except it was full of smoke. Not incense, but actual smoke like they were bur

Huge map was informative. Also there was a small store to buy water etc. Except it was full of smoke. Not incense, but actual smoke like they were burning a tyre or something.
The owner was apologetic, but his whole family was sitting at a small table in the smoke.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Before I started my climb I did some rock climbing practice. 2 finger overhang swings freestyle, or something.

Before I started my climb I did some rock climbing practice. 2 finger overhang swings freestyle, or something.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Future lunch. Or bird flu. Or both.

Future lunch. Or bird flu. Or both.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - A short way up the path and there was a shitty temple. The main attraction here is the pile of slate inside the plastic igloo. Beyond this point, the

A short way up the path and there was a shitty temple. The main attraction here is the pile of slate inside the plastic igloo.
Beyond this point, the path became somewhat vague.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - View from half way up. The pine trees all seemed to be bonsai.

View from half way up. The pine trees all seemed to be bonsai.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - First glance of my destination. I was unable to work out what that mystery cable was, looked like optic fibre, but to where? It was low enough for me

First glance of my destination. I was unable to work out what that mystery cable was, looked like optic fibre, but to where? It was low enough for me to pull on.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - View from the top. Doesnt really look impressive, it was very steep at the end but looks flat.

View from the top. Doesnt really look impressive, it was very steep at the end but looks flat.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - And the view down the other side. Note the rusty barbed wire, which didnt do a very good job of keeping me out of the electromagnetic nightmare towers

And the view down the other side. Note the rusty barbed wire, which didnt do a very good job of keeping me out of the electromagnetic nightmare towers.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Whilst it was windy and damn cold here. It was not as windy as at one point later, when a sudden gust nearly blew me over when I was walking back to t

Whilst it was windy and damn cold here. It was not as windy as at one point later, when a sudden gust nearly blew me over when I was walking back to the bus. And then that was it. No other such gusts.
Do I look cold here? It was at this point that I took my phone out, and it looked cracked. A sheet of sweat had frozen over the screen! I brushed it off. Phone still works, fingers not so much.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - It was much better when I descended a little and got out of the wind. I enjoyed my calorie balance and pocari sweat.

It was much better when I descended a little and got out of the wind. I enjoyed my calorie balance and pocari sweat.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Whilst there was some snow and ice today, it was nothing like the other day. And thankfully, there was no mud to sink into, which is far worse than th

Whilst there was some snow and ice today, it was nothing like the other day.
And thankfully, there was no mud to sink into, which is far worse than the ice.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Superfluous photos of where I had descended from, on non existent path.

Superfluous photos of where I had descended from, on non existent path.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - I was relieved to get to this point, as here was a lookout construction with some guys cooking stuff on a gas stove. The hut below is the top station

I was relieved to get to this point, as here was a lookout construction with some guys cooking stuff on a gas stove.
The hut below is the top station of the cable car. My next goal!


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Todays panorama. This is at least half way down, and yet looks much higher than the photos from the top.

Todays panorama. This is at least half way down, and yet looks much higher than the photos from the top.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - The guys cooking their pigs blood soup insisted on taking my photo. I then set off in the direction of the cable car station, looking for a path, and

The guys cooking their pigs blood soup insisted on taking my photo.
I then set off in the direction of the cable car station, looking for a path, and I could hear them laughing hard. Not sure why, but I am glad to have provided them such amusement!


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - The coffee in the cable car station was easily the best I have had in Korea. And the guy that made it spoke fluent English. Which leads me to believe

The coffee in the cable car station was easily the best I have had in Korea. And the guy that made it spoke fluent English. Which leads me to believe he has been to Australia to learn how to make coffee.
I seriously wanted a 2nd one, but alas, I had cable cars to ignore, and mountains to slide down.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - At first I just thought I would try and find a trail under the cable cars, that didnt happen. I was also amazed they were operating at all because it

At first I just thought I would try and find a trail under the cable cars, that didnt happen. I was also amazed they were operating at all because it was very windy.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Relief that I was on the right path. Unless the local chipmunk population did this?

Relief that I was on the right path. Unless the local chipmunk population did this?


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - And then I slid on my ass on pine needles and ended up here. I shall call it bonus temple, as it was not the main attraction. However from this point

And then I slid on my ass on pine needles and ended up here. I shall call it bonus temple, as it was not the main attraction. However from this point on, there was a real path to follow!


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - And then finally, I was at the real temple. You can stay here if you want, I know because everywhere there were signs saying TEMPLE STAY! COLORFUL DAE

And then finally, I was at the real temple. You can stay here if you want, I know because everywhere there were signs saying TEMPLE STAY! COLORFUL DAEGU!


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - This is not the buddha I was looking for, but it was huge. And brand spanking new. Who needs to see an ancient rock carving when theres a new concrete

This is not the buddha I was looking for, but it was huge. And brand spanking new. Who needs to see an ancient rock carving when theres a new concrete statue on offer?


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - The entire complex was very large, 20 or more temples, gardens, bridges, streams, roads lined with lanterns, a Chinese tourists dream. A heap of them

The entire complex was very large, 20 or more temples, gardens, bridges, streams, roads lined with lanterns, a Chinese tourists dream. A heap of them arrived on an electric open top bus thing that wound its way up the path.
Thats my 7+ hour adventure for today, there will be no mountain tomorrow, as I am travelling to Busan.


Last night in Daegu

Eating Jeonju style Bibimbap in Daegu

I am not about to go all sentimental here, but Daegu is an excellent place.
I enjoyed my 4 days here more than my entire trip to Seoul 3 or so years ago.
I could really have spent more time here, in this 2nd tier city most people wont have heard of, still a lot of mountains and missing buddha statues.
Right now I would have to put it right up there with Taipei as cool places to visit. Food isnt as good as Taiwan, or at least, its less varied, but thats applicable to all of Korea.
Of course you can eat any fast food you want, theres a strong USA influence across Korea, although I really havent seen any evidence of actual white people anywhere. I saw one couple on the train who I assume carried on to Busan (my next stop) and I assume all the air force jets today had white people in them.
It looks like, much like my first visit, most people from foreign lands never leave Seoul. I will report on this again when I am there in 9 days time.

The correct way to cope with the cold in Korea, is to run everywhere, screaming. When I was in Incheon the other night, and it was damn cold, hat purchasing cold, I saw people doing this. Literally sprinting from door to door, or to the subway entrance etc. They seem to scream, quietly, whilst doing it.
Then it got warmer, until tonight, when its again cold (but not as cold as Incheon). Now tonight I have seen people running and screaming everywhere. Its alarming at first until you realise what they are doing, then its hilarious, and then finally, its impressive, because I dont know a lot of people that can run very far at all. A good thing they dont live here.
Needless to say, when in Rome, I now run everywhere, screaming.

Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Karaoke supplies street. More like Karaoke supplies suburb, its many streets by many streets of cheap DJ and Karaoke gear. Every home needs a 4000 wat

Karaoke supplies street. More like Karaoke supplies suburb, its many streets by many streets of cheap DJ and Karaoke gear. Every home needs a 4000 watt P.A. and LED lighting system.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - I briefly considered Dos Tacos. Its a real brand that exists in the USA isnt it? Not some Korean knock off? I know they have taco bell in Seoul, I had

I briefly considered Dos Tacos. Its a real brand that exists in the USA isnt it? Not some Korean knock off? I know they have taco bell in Seoul, I had it last time I was here, and it was terrible.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - This, according to the internet, is the only decent hotel in town. The Novotel, and its enormous. You can read reviews by people that never bothered t

This, according to the internet, is the only decent hotel in town. The Novotel, and its enormous. You can read reviews by people that never bothered to stay anywhere else that its the only place to stay in all Daegu.
You can also read about how its the only 'safe' place to stay, whatever that means. I think a lot of this is written by Novotel staff.
Its working, becuase when I was booking accommodation, it was booked out. And its also more expensive than Sydney, in a city where most rooms are $50 or under.
I bet it doesnt have all the cool facilities my room has either!


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - I then considered eating in the train restaurant. However it was all overpriced burgers and chips. But I did want to eat in a train carriage, even tho

I then considered eating in the train restaurant. However it was all overpriced burgers and chips. But I did want to eat in a train carriage, even though I go on trains every day. It was a tough choice, but I moved on.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Sexist. But not as sexist/racist as China, which has signs saying WHITE GIRLS DRINK FREE.

Sexist. But not as sexist/racist as China, which has signs saying WHITE GIRLS DRINK FREE.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - So I ended up being lured by a place advertising their bibimbap as different and special. Jeonju style. Jeonju is where bibimbap comes from, and has s

So I ended up being lured by a place advertising their bibimbap as different and special. Jeonju style.
Jeonju is where bibimbap comes from, and has something to do with it being the preferred dish of the something dynasty that lasted from 1300 until 1900 or there abouts.
The key differences are, the beef is raw, although I elected for the hot stone bowl which at least partially cooked it, and the rice is cooked in rich beef broth, which made a noticeable difference to flavour.
This was however, $10, but the restaurant was fancy, guys with bow ties, bowing a lot for no reason, and filling my tea. I dared to eat all my kimchi, so a huge amount was then provided to replace it, of which I ate none.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - I couldnt resist the mixed lollies stand. I nearly died when it cost almost $3. I come to these places to buy cheap food, I make an exception for coff

I couldnt resist the mixed lollies stand.
I nearly died when it cost almost $3.
I come to these places to buy cheap food, I make an exception for coffee only, and even that pains me! The moths in my wallet are appalled.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - This is a cool store for all things girly and arty, called artbox. I liked their pens.

This is a cool store for all things girly and arty, called artbox. I liked their pens.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - OK, I REALLY!!! like these shoes. Why cant we get the shoes Korea has in Australia. Theres so many brands I have never heard of. Such flamboyance, so

OK, I REALLY!!! like these shoes. Why cant we get the shoes Korea has in Australia. Theres so many brands I have never heard of.
Such flamboyance, so colorful, awesome.


There are currently 6 comments - click to add

David on 2015-03-10 said:

I am pioneering commando karaoke, where you just carry your laptop around playing random youtube videos in the street and singing along.


Jumbo Thai on 2015-03-10 said:

Great pictures David feels like we are travelling with you!

Did you do any Karaoke? Serenading your Korean fan club of girls.


David on 2015-03-10 said:

Shoes are American, but their website says they dont make them anymore. The shop was called Artbox, I think I saw them in other locations too.
Name of hotel is Goodstay Grand Hotel.


Mother on 2015-03-10 said:

I like those shoes too, does that mean they are no longer cool? Is the girly arty shop Loft? Finally, what is the name of your hotel?


David on 2015-03-10 said:

I literally only just uploaded it, you must be refreshing constantly. Blue sky most likely the result of the high winds.


adriana on 2015-03-10 said:

Nice blue sky today.


Day 9 - Wednesday, 11 March 2015

Short train ride

From Daegu to Busan on the KTX

Now I am in Busan, the southern metropolis on the coast of Korea, home of a famous beach, very useful in winter, the Busan film festival, not on whilst I am here, and the Busan ROCK! festival, in August.
But there are mountains! Mountains in the city.
The city layout is complex, with harbours, mountains separating different bits, bridges across the harbour for no good reason.
Getting here took forever, because I got to the station in Daegu about 2 hours early. My weird hotel in Daegu insisted I check out at 10, and then it took 3 minutes to get to the bullet train station.
So I had to spend 2 hours waiting for a 48 minute train ride.
The train itself today was the more modern Korean designed bullet train, photos below. I now realise the one I went on the other day was an older French design.
Enough train talk.
Once I came out of the station at Busan, there were some dodgy guys demanding I either give them money or go in their taxi, I am not sure which. One guy just wouldnt stop annoying me, I gave him 2 no's followed by a shoulder charge that sent him flying. He seemed genuinely shocked by that.

My hotel here is the western chain, Ibis, and the room is exactly like the Sydney Ibis I know well, except it has ridiculously fast free internet.
Also its on top of a subway station, in the centre of town, with a window, with a view (last room had no window), and carpet.
The hotel is having a German food festival, because, no idea, all for a stupidly expensive amount, dinner is more than the nightly room rate. No sausage for me.
I will be here for 6 nights, the longest of any of my stays in Korea, so I hope the location is good. Internet says its a few hundred metres to the main downtown area full of neon, but I havent been to check yet.
No mountain climb today (sad face).

Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Before I left Daegu, I went for one last walk around the joint at 7am, and it was mostly abandoned. This coffee shop, called Two Hands, did a decent c

Before I left Daegu, I went for one last walk around the joint at 7am, and it was mostly abandoned. This coffee shop, called Two Hands, did a decent coffee.
No burnt ant taste, proper mugs, milk that was thicker than water.
They did talk up the variety, origin, and whatever else of their coffee beans, all of this is irrelevant. To make a decent coffee you just need to use enough of it so its strong enough, not burn it, and then add air to milk, not just separate froth and burning white liquid.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - I rented a book from the train station library vending machine. They have these in Taiwan. The book of choice was called 'The selfish Gene'. I now can

I rented a book from the train station library vending machine. They have these in Taiwan. The book of choice was called 'The selfish Gene'.
I now can read Korean.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Capsosiphon Fluvoscens. Delicious.

Capsosiphon Fluvoscens. Delicious.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Since I was very early, I decided to have traditional Korean breakfast / lunch / dinner. The joke about Korean food is they eat the same meal 3 times

Since I was very early, I decided to have traditional Korean breakfast / lunch / dinner.
The joke about Korean food is they eat the same meal 3 times a day. But to me the rice porridge looks more like breakfast.
So I ordered the deluxe vegetable option. Which had no taste at all, apart from the fish flakes they added to the top.
They also gave a side dish of fermented tuna.
I will not be ordering this again.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - The inside of the train.

The inside of the train.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Annnnnd the front of the train. Suitably bullet train esque. Todays train did hit 300 on its short journey of nearly all tunnels. I had the carriage t

Annnnnd the front of the train. Suitably bullet train esque. Todays train did hit 300 on its short journey of nearly all tunnels. I had the carriage to myself most of the way, so no amusing stories to tell.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Urban mountain. I cant see any reason I wouldnt be up there at some point, adding to my collection of boring photos.

Urban mountain. I cant see any reason I wouldnt be up there at some point, adding to my collection of boring photos.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - The impressive station is very large, too large to fit in my photo. Near here is where I gave an english lesson to a beggar who didnt understand the w

The impressive station is very large, too large to fit in my photo. Near here is where I gave an english lesson to a beggar who didnt understand the word no, courtesy of my lowered shoulder.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - And, room photo number 1.

And, room photo number 1.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - And from the other side. Now to find some lunch or snacks or something.

And from the other side.
Now to find some lunch or snacks or something.


Peak neon

The brilliant bright lights of Busan

Busan has achieved peak neon. So far I only went to one of the many areas that are apparently well known nightspots for people to run around screaming from the cold.
It is indeed cold, with the wind still blowing, this kept most people to the underground malls. Pretty sure my ears acclimatised.
The underground malls here apparently trace the entire subway network, for many miles. So many stores selling socks. I dont think anyone uses their socks more than once.
Waffles seem to be the main attraction here, worth standing still in line for, everywhere. Also strawberries, carts full of huge red strawberries. They are cheap, but later I nearly died when each apple was $3. I never experienced that before even in Japan.
Then I found the most impressive department store I have ever seen, the Lotte at Gwangbok. It had stores within stores, the supermarket, which is not the same as the food hall, had a food court inside it.
Apparently, it is not the biggest though, the biggest in the world is also in Busan, the Shinsegae, which has a golf course, ice skating rink, artificial beach, horse riding area and soccer stadium.
These arent malls as such, although they may have indoor malls in them, they are branded stores, single buildings with many levels, normally joined by a mall underground to the subway network.

Thatss not to say Busan is all new and shiny, although I suspect the entire harbour area has been re done in the last few years, go back a few streets and you get into traditional market areas, towel and table cloth stalls, then plastic plates and kitchen utensils, and finally bulk carboard boxes. Oh and fish. There are fish in big tanks, about to be processed into Korean fish cakes, huge sheets of compressed fish. These are the luckiest fish of all.

Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - I got lost finding my hotel due to the number of exits from both the subway, the subway mall, and the non subway mall thats connected to the subway ma

I got lost finding my hotel due to the number of exits from both the subway, the subway mall, and the non subway mall thats connected to the subway mall.
I use this mermaid as a landmark, I can see her from the bottom of the 48 stairs to the top of each exit so I dont have to keep climbing up to make sure its the right exit.
There is no way to cross the road, you have to go back down and up again somewhere else, after you navigate your way to the other side through a heap of stores selling socks.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Currently number 1 on my list of worlds greatest department stores. More photos below of the useless fountain inside.

Currently number 1 on my list of worlds greatest department stores. More photos below of the useless fountain inside.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - A volcanic eruption in 2006 here destroyed most of the city and much like Pompeii, many locals were immortalized in bronze where they stood. Actually

A volcanic eruption in 2006 here destroyed most of the city and much like Pompeii, many locals were immortalized in bronze where they stood.
Actually that never happened, but theres brass statues of children everywhere, with real children inside.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - And now we start a journey into Neon.

And now we start a journey into Neon.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Acai bowls, these are a thing in Australia now too. Theres a store off Jetty Road at Glenelg full of people with leather banana holders and moustache

Acai bowls, these are a thing in Australia now too. Theres a store off Jetty Road at Glenelg full of people with leather banana holders and moustache permahold gel.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - That alley seems to go forever, I am yet to go down it though, because I got lost and couldnt find it again. I got lost a lot this evening.

That alley seems to go forever, I am yet to go down it though, because I got lost and couldnt find it again. I got lost a lot this evening.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - The smaller alleyways were winding and interesting, I identified many places to eat waffles, crepes, fermented pig blood sausage, pork knuckle, froyo,

The smaller alleyways were winding and interesting, I identified many places to eat waffles, crepes, fermented pig blood sausage, pork knuckle, froyo, cuttlefish balls, beef nerve sandwich, fried chicken with ice cream, pancake with maple syrup and hamburger pattie.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Each of these tables had enough food for 5 people.

Each of these tables had enough food for 5 people.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Plastic yellow work men are doing good work all over Korea. Here they are particularly effective at guarding toilet paper.

Plastic yellow work men are doing good work all over Korea. Here they are particularly effective at guarding toilet paper.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - She didnt want her photo taken. Too bad.

She didnt want her photo taken. Too bad.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - In each of these red tents is a different pop up restaurant, selling things on sticks mainly.

In each of these red tents is a different pop up restaurant, selling things on sticks mainly.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Red strawberries in red buckets under brilliant white light broke my cameras super intelligent auto night setting. Note I never ever ever ever use fla

Red strawberries in red buckets under brilliant white light broke my cameras super intelligent auto night setting. Note I never ever ever ever use flash.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - And now I got lost properly. I thought I was going back the same way, but had made an additional 90 degree turn at some point and headed off in the op

And now I got lost properly. I thought I was going back the same way, but had made an additional 90 degree turn at some point and headed off in the opposite direction to that which I thought.
Theres 2 large hills at each end, with lights, and I assumed I was walking towards the wrong one. I really was quite confused by this for a good 30 minutes.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - But being lost led me to covered markets. Neither modern nor traditional, they are the former modern areas now not so modern. Interesting lighting.

But being lost led me to covered markets. Neither modern nor traditional, they are the former modern areas now not so modern. Interesting lighting.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Maybe later I will go into one of the many cat cafes, maintain my angry glare, and frighten away all their happy staff, before being mauled by cats.

Maybe later I will go into one of the many cat cafes, maintain my angry glare, and frighten away all their happy staff, before being mauled by cats.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - Dinner, and there is beef. Good beef in fact. A healthy dinner as I didnt eat the rice. I am suffering from rice overload I think. Rice is the worst f

Dinner, and there is beef. Good beef in fact. A healthy dinner as I didnt eat the rice. I am suffering from rice overload I think. Rice is the worst food in the world and responsible for making everyone fat and giving them diabetes.
Stop eating rice.


Korea again - Incheon - Daegu - Busan - Gwangju - Seoul - 2015 - And now I am back in the Lotte department store basement level 3 or something, to watch the dancing waterfall show set to the music of the Beatles. Th

And now I am back in the Lotte department store basement level 3 or something, to watch the dancing waterfall show set to the music of the Beatles.
The ghost like creature above is fine water falling in patterns. This held my attention for a good 8 seconds.


There are currently 8 comments - click to add

David on 2015-03-12 said:

@Vlad - my mother, who uses several pseudonyms here to confuse my spam filter, has a particular dislike of Russians.
What she does not realise is that the head of the UN is South Korean, and there are trade embargoes currently due to comrade Putins glorious victory over the west in Donestk and previously Crimea.
Therefore, all Russians have left Busan, and been replaced by cat cafes, coffee cafes, and waffle houses.


Brian on 2015-03-12 said:

Apples are more than $3 in Japan but one is big enough to feed the whole family.


Vlad the Russian on 2015-03-12 said:

Why all the comments on the Russians - makes me sad.


Jumbo Thai on 2015-03-11 said:

Please go to the Cat Cafe would be keen to see if they serve real cats on the menu.

For petting purposes of course!


Adriana on 2015-03-11 said:

Probably has changed, but did you see any Russian sailors - think younger looking Putin and you will recognise them. Also used to be lots of big fat old Russian prostitutes. I forgot to mention that you have to go underground to cross the roads - very annoying and smelly!


David on 2015-03-11 said:

@Phil - 1300 metres was the highest so far, the lower one had more snow in the valleys. There was plenty of snow on one of the access roads in big piles on another, but the exposed peaks have very little.

@adriana - I think Busan has changed a lot since you were last here, the area I was at tonight is the old port area.


phil on 2015-03-11 said:

very good photos, can now cross of my list.
How high were the mountains you climbed as I did not see much snow.

PM is now travelling to TC with us next week.


adriana on 2015-03-11 said:

Any old ladies washing pig's heads in the gutter outside their restaurants?


Page 4 is where theres more mountain photos. You know how it works by now.

Contents

Day 1 - Tuesday, 3 March 2015
  Sydney is nowhere near Korea
  As per schedule
Day 2 - Wednesday, 4 March 2015
  My ears are cold
  I bought a hat
Day 3 - Thursday, 5 March 2015
  Both ends
  Get Pho
Day 4 - Friday, 6 March 2015
  Multipeak
  Where did everyone go?
Day 5 - Saturday, 7 March 2015
  The hilarious hotel room
  Overwhelmed
Day 6 - Sunday, 8 March 2015
  Getting down to business
  Shabu xiabu jiabu
Day 7 - Monday, 9 March 2015
  Recovery mountain
  Random nonsense
Day 8 - Tuesday, 10 March 2015
  Wrong buddha
  Last night in Daegu
Day 9 - Wednesday, 11 March 2015
  Short train ride
  Peak neon
Day 10 - Thursday, 12 March 2015
  Great wall of Korea
  Subway retiree fight
Day 11 - Friday, 13 March 2015
  Both beaches
  Worlds biggest
Day 12 - Saturday, 14 March 2015
  Mine zone
  The docks
Day 13 - Sunday, 15 March 2015
  Pirate cove
  I shrunk my pants
Day 14 - Monday, 16 March 2015
  Last mountain in Busan
  Barbecue zoo
Day 15 - Tuesday, 17 March 2015
  On the bus
  Ridiculous hotels
Day 16 - Wednesday, 18 March 2015
  Rain panic
  Rain annoyance
Day 17 - Thursday, 19 March 2015
  Rain gone, mountain time
  So many socks
Day 18 - Friday, 20 March 2015
  Last stop
  Tourists everywhere
Day 19 - Saturday, 21 March 2015
  Going to Jail
  Almost the airport
Day 20 - Sunday, 22 March 2015
  Yellow sand day
  Much fashion
Day 21 - Monday, 23 March 2015
  The other half
  No dinner
Day 22 - Tuesday, 24 March 2015
  Rockfall
  Fashion food
Day 23 - Wednesday, 25 March 2015
  Boring stuff - part 1
  Boring stuff - part 2
Day 24 - Thursday, 26 March 2015
  The end of boring stuff
  The end