July 21, 2016
Today was our non-Japan adventure in Busan, South Korea. I was hoping for more passport stamps, and I was only partially disappointed. When we left Nagasaki, we got an exit stamp for Japan. When we got to South Korea, they gave everyone photocopies of their passports, stamped those, and then kept them in South Korea. It was kind of a bummer. South Korea, however, was not.
The main part of our excursion for the day was the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, which is a Buddhist Temple on the sea. While there, we saw giant golden Buddhas, listened to Buddhist chanting and enjoyed the sea breeze (because, as has been the theme, it was a million degrees - guess who's sunburned?). The Temple was really different, especially compared to the eight million Shinto Shrines. This was definitely the South Korean highlight.
The next stop was supposed to be the beach, but apparently school in South Korea let out yesterday, so the tour organizer decided that with the likely crowds, the beach was a big ol' heck no. Instead wehad to got to go to the Asia-Pacific Economic Convention building, where nothing has changed since the meeting occurred in 2005. I know what you're thinking - why would they possibly want to use an event hall on the water with glass for miles for anything other than a place to rope off chairs and display 2005 menus? Great question. They don't.
The final stop was at the Busan Central Market, which had lots of street food and other things (lingerie? yup. Belts? yup. Seemingly disorganized computer wires? We got 'em.). Unfortunately, we kinda missed the memo on exchanging currency to get South Korean won, so we more or less just walked around and soaked in the experience. I did manage to get a magnet though, so all is right in the world.
After the tour ended, we headed back to the ship for a little downtime. When we checked in, Princess was kind enough to gift us vouchers for one of the specialty restaurants on board, so we opted for the steak house (other cruisers gave more mixed reviews on the Italian). It was AMAZING. Wildly good steak.
Now, for some color commentary, I thought that I'd share Troy's update from Busan.
Today was our non-Japan adventure in Busan, South Korea. I was hoping for more passport stamps, and I was only partially disappointed. When we left Nagasaki, we got an exit stamp for Japan. When we got to South Korea, they gave everyone photocopies of their passports, stamped those, and then kept them in South Korea. It was kind of a bummer. South Korea, however, was not.
The main part of our excursion for the day was the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, which is a Buddhist Temple on the sea. While there, we saw giant golden Buddhas, listened to Buddhist chanting and enjoyed the sea breeze (because, as has been the theme, it was a million degrees - guess who's sunburned?). The Temple was really different, especially compared to the eight million Shinto Shrines. This was definitely the South Korean highlight.
The next stop was supposed to be the beach, but apparently school in South Korea let out yesterday, so the tour organizer decided that with the likely crowds, the beach was a big ol' heck no. Instead we
The final stop was at the Busan Central Market, which had lots of street food and other things (lingerie? yup. Belts? yup. Seemingly disorganized computer wires? We got 'em.). Unfortunately, we kinda missed the memo on exchanging currency to get South Korean won, so we more or less just walked around and soaked in the experience. I did manage to get a magnet though, so all is right in the world.
After the tour ended, we headed back to the ship for a little downtime. When we checked in, Princess was kind enough to gift us vouchers for one of the specialty restaurants on board, so we opted for the steak house (other cruisers gave more mixed reviews on the Italian). It was AMAZING. Wildly good steak.
Now, for some color commentary, I thought that I'd share Troy's update from Busan.
The heat is on in Busan. The following
are the continuing observations of America's Goodwill Ambassador.
FAVORITE
MISTRANSLATION OF THE TRIP
Minors -/-> Minorities
"Please watch your minorities closely."
"I cannot tell that story because there are minorities on board."
Third place: Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Second place: The Diamond Princess pool (Toad the Wet Sprocket had better be getting royalties, yo.)
First place: The Yokohama DeNA Baystars Fan Shop
Choosing between Trump and Hillary like choosing between garbage truck and poop truck.
Taken a selfie with the laser etched wood plaque of the man himself.
Indeed.
Minors -/-> Minorities
"Please watch your minorities closely."
"I cannot tell that story because there are minorities on board."
Third place: Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Second place: The Diamond Princess pool (Toad the Wet Sprocket had better be getting royalties, yo.)
First place: The Yokohama DeNA Baystars Fan Shop
Choosing between Trump and Hillary like choosing between garbage truck and poop truck.
Taken a selfie with the laser etched wood plaque of the man himself.
Indeed.
"We have 39
people on this trip, including minorities."
AWARDS
FOR MOST REPETITIVE SOUNDTRACK OF THE TRIP
POLITICAL
STANCE OF OUR TOUR GUIDE:
Today I Learned:
South Korea has poop trucks?
BUSAN'S
MOST INEXPLICABLY PRISTINE LANDMARK: The meeting place of the 2005 APEC, with
all chairs and informal meeting areas roped off so that none may ever sit where
there is a 1 in a 16 chance that W sat 11 years ago.
TO
PROVE THIS I HAVE:
Taken a selfie with a laser-etched wood carving of the man himself.
Taken a selfie with a laser-etched wood carving of the man himself.
WAS
THIS PLAQUE PROTECTED BY A VELVET ROPE?
Indeed.
Indeed.
No comments:
Post a Comment