5 April 2015

Our day of adventure always starts early in the morning and ends late in the night because there didn't seem to be enough time to cover so many places. We were so close to extending our flight while planning the itinerary!

Cafe Tim (Beomnaegol Station)

Went to this new cafe just round the corner of our hotel for a morning coffee. Remembered this place quite vividly cuz the barista took very long to brew our simple coffees.

Oryukdo Skywalk - website

Finally caught a glimpse of Oryukdo Island after an hour plus on buses. Looking back at the number of buses we took, it seems like the best way to get around in Busan is by bus.

Walking up to the skywalk.

View on the left while walking up.

It was FREEZING cold when I took this photo.

Finally reached the Oryukdo Skywalk, which is a 15m glass bridge built on a 35m-high coastal cliff. This skywalk was constructed for viewing of the Oryukdo Island without having to take a ferry.

Everyone has to wear a protective layer over their shoes to protect the glass flooring.


Designated a monument of Busan, Oryukdo Island (literally Five–Six Island) is a group of 5 or 6 rock islands that can be said to be made purely of stones. Honestly speaking, I can't see 5 islands. Is it because of the angle from where we were?

Here's a close-up of the only island that isn't inhabited - there's a white lighthouse. This is also the island that can be seen appearing as two islands (hence the name, Five-Six), depending on the water level.

Left the skywalk and walked down to explore other spots.

While we were at the foot of the cliff, we looked up and saw that 35m-high skywalk that we were standing on just minutes ago. OMG seriously, were we really so high up?!

Really a pretty place with awesome weather.

Found a hideout that didn't last because everyone decided to come by to take photos.

See our hair flying because of the strong wind. The other 90% of the photos are best to be deleted because our hair was flying all over.

This must be a good place to watch the sunrise.

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple - website

This place was super difficult to find because we alighted from the bus only to realise it's along the highway and taxis won't stop to pickup passengers. We then walked up and down but still couldn't find any buses to take us to the temple. There isn't a subway station nearby either.

When we finally managed to get a taxi, the driver didn't know where the temple is and we had to show him our phone navigator. I can't remember if we got down to get another taxi. Oh well, this is Busan.

I wasn't too keen to visit this place initially. I mean, why would I visit a temple in Korea? But I'm so glad I did because this place is super beautiful!

Cherry blossoms again, yay!

Traffic Safety Prayer Pagoda

Those blooms <3

This gate is the start of the many steps leading to the magnificent temple.

While most temples are located in the mountains, Yonggungsa Temple is located along a beautiful shore line. So calm and scenic.

There was this drama when a young lady dropped her camera down the rocks and she climbed down to pick it up herself. Brave yet foolish. An accident could have happened if she missed a step cuz it was very steep and rocky. Even the men around were gasping in disbelief.

Dalmaji Road (Haeundae) - website

Got on a taxi to drive us through Dalmaji Road, which is adorned with pink cherry blossoms on both sides of the road.

COLAmercato (Dalmaji Hill) - website

And lunch is served at this Italian fine dining restaurant overlooking Haeundae Beach! A little splurge is totally fine.

I can't emphasise enough how good this Crema di Gamberi is! Yums!

Grilled chicken which tasted nice but not fantastic.

Took a stroll along Dalmaji Hill.

The red Holly's Coffee makes the place feel so Christmassy.

:)

Coffine Gurunaru (Dalmaji Hill) - website

Decided to try their famous honey bread.

Original Honey Butter Bread with cappuccino, mocha and a view. The whipped cream looked pathetic but it tasted really good!

Walked down Dalmaji Hill and was greeted with even more cherry blossoms.

Walked past Haeundae Beach. Luckily we didn't specially make a trip there cuz it looked very quiet. Seems like it's only popular in summer.

Spotted a Pomeranian.


Sorry but our lives revolved around cherry blossoms during this trip.
 

How can cherry blossoms look so pretty?

Even an old couple was mesmerised by the blooms.

Okay this is the last, I promise. 

Shinsegae Centum City (Centum City Station) - website

Shopping time at the world’s largest department store (as registered in the Guinness Book of World Records).

We conquered the shopping area quite fast. Perhaps the whole place is huge only because it includes cinema, spa land and ice rink.

Hana Yaki (Shinsegae Centum City) - website

Joined the queue for this because everyone else is doing so HAHA. But it's good!

Softree (Shinsegae Centum City) - website

WOW Honey Chips soft-serve!

Spa Land Centum City - website

Okay this place is really huge. It is just like a Jjimjilbang (Korean traditional spa) but better and bigger. There are so many types of spas and saunas, and there's even a restaurant and PC room.

My favourite has got to be this open-air foot spa but sadly, it closed quite early.

4 April 2015 

The highlight of this trip was the visit to 2 of the most spectacular cherry blossom festivals in Korea (Busan and Seoul).

We were afraid of missing the full blooms (especially since it had been raining the past few days) that we headed to the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival in Busan right on our second day.

The journey there in the morning was long and tiring because of the switching between different modes of transportation. Nevertheless, everything was well worth the efforts. Look on!

Cherry blossom trees can be found on even the most unnoticed streets. 

Never knew a neighbourhood could be so pretty.

Love the view when looking up while walking.

Taking wefies on the streets like nobody's business.

Pretty!

Not sure what this is but it was cooked in a gigantic pot!

There's a stage at this open area but it was too early for us to find out the happenings here. 

Yeojwa Stream (Jinhae Station) - website

Finally reached the legendary stream! 

The hearts didn't look very nice in reality but it worked wonders on photos!

Look at the number of people there at 8.30am!

The stream is long and scenic, making it a nice walk in this cooling weather.

Breathtaking.

Spotted animals instead of hearts. I think there were even umbrellas at some parts.

Gyeonghwa Station - website

Next location for a fantastic photo moment is this railway station, which was already filled with people by 10am.

Can't see the end to the cherry blossom trees.

Capturing as many photos as I can before the train comes.

Fallen cherry blossoms that were seized for a mini photshoot.

There were food stalls set up on the other side of the station but we can't be bothered with food haha.

There are so many railway staffs on-site to blow their whistles and make sure people stay off the tracks. 

THIS is the moment that we have all been waiting for.

Gamcheon Culture Village (Toseong Station) - website

Tourist attractions in Busan are not conveniently located. Going to Gamcheon Culture Village is just as tough. We had to switch buses and even take shuttle bus up the hill.

This enormous fish is apparently very famous.

Finally at Asia's Santorini! Spot the scattered cherry blossom trees!

Can't believe I climbed all the way to the top to see this view.

Look at the gloomy sky. It rained shortly after taking the above photos... :(

Lonely Little Prince because the area was "soulless". There were hardly anyone around because of the heavy rain and the sky turned dark very fast. We felt as though we were stranded on a deserted island.

시간 속 풍겡 Cafe

Sought shelter in this warm cafe near us. Big thank you to the cafe for providing us with lots of tissue to dry ourselves and our belongings. :D

Cappuccino

Woojung's Bibimbap (Nampo Station)

Egg Crepe

Spicy Chicken Bibimbap

Kimchi Soup

And then it was back to the hotel and munching of unsweet strawberries bought from Gamcheon Culture Village.

- End of day 2-