Haeundae Beach and Dongbaek Park

Haeundae name was originated from a Silla 新罗scholar and poet Choi Chi-won 崔致远. It was described that when Choi went to Mt. Gaya to escape from the adverse political circumstances. He was admired by this awe-inspiring natural landscape when he passed by this area. The beautiful sights of the ocean, clouds and mountains inspired him to engraved the three letters “Hae (sea), Un (cloud) and Dae (hill)” on a rock located south of Dongbaek Island.

When you travel to Haeundae beach, walk to your right (near The Westin Chosun Busan), you will be able to reach Dongbaek Park and Nurimaru APEC House. Nice walking trail and breathtaking view. The park is also surrounded by Eurya Japonica tree and it is believe that Eurya Japonica tree has sterilizing process that can purify the air. There are few things to see in Dongbaek park:

1. Mermaid statute
It was installed on 1974, but destroyed by typhoon later. It was then re-installed a 2.5m high bronze mermaid with 4 tons. It is a legend of a homesick Princess Hwang-ok (from mermaid kingdom) who married to King Eunhae of Mugung, but cried for her home country during every full moon night.

2. The Haeundae Carved Stone 
Engraved three letters “Hae (sea), Un (cloud) and Dae (hill)” by Choi Chi-won on a rock located south of Dongbaek Island. Today, the middle character "Un" was eroded by rain, wind and wave.

3. Nurimaru APEC House 

4. Choi Chi-won Monument  
It is situated at the top of the island. A great scholar and poet in late Silla period. He earned his respect as Father of Korean Confucianism during Goryeo Dynasty.

What to see in Busan

Travel in Korea is easy, all destinations is easily connected by bus and Metro Line. All you need to do is prior preparation like where to take the transport, what is the bus number and where to get off. You might have difficulty with the Korea language - hard to communicated with the bus driver. Therefore, you will need to listen carefully when they mentioned the location name for you to hop off the bus. So far, we didn't face any big challenges regarding their public transport.

My advice is, always hold the tourism map with you. Not everyone is good with English here. Besides, buy Cashbee card or T-money card for travel, it is comparison cheaper and convenience to travel in Korea.

I stayed in Haeundae Beach area for the first day and manage to visit the following tourism attraction places as follows:  

1. Haeundae Beach

Haeundae Beach is claimed as No. 1 beach in Busan. Fine sandy beach, windy and at night there are street performance at the beach. Many people gather there for relaxing...read more

2. Nurimaru APEC House and Dongbaek Park

A beautiful photo taking spot of Dongbaek island you should not miss! Nurimaru APEC House (the venue of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting) and beautiful landscape around Gwangan Bridge. It is nearby Haeundae Beach... 

3. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

Korea Buddha's birthday fall on 6 May this year, therefore it was crowed with people when I visited Yonggungsa Temple. The temple is special because it sit near the cliff beside the sea. It is famous for the glorious sunrise from the East Sea. At Haeundae Station, Exit 7. Take Bus 181 and get off at Yonggungsa Temple (temple stop is announced in English). 

In the third day, we move to Nampo-dong area where the following tourism area is nearby.

1. Yongdusan Park

Mt Yongdusan's name was originated from its appearance where is similar to a dragon head. It is like a dragon has come down from Baekdudaegan and moving towards the sea. It provides a beautiful view of Busan harbour from the 120 meter high observation deck siting in this Yongdusan Park.

2. BIFF Square

3. Jagalchi Market

4. Gukje Market and Bupyeong Ggangtong Night Market

5. Taejongdae Area
Taejongdae originates in Shilla Dynasty, it was recorded as the place where Shilla Taejong (King Muyeol, Chunchu Kim) used to practice archery and ritual for rain. Beautiful sea cliff, thick forest and blue ocean...

Good and Bad Experiences all in Korea!

Good and bad experiences all in Korea... I remember the first time when I traveled to Korea was with my husband for our honeymoon trip. We enjoyed the trip so much and it was four years back. This time, I decided to travel to Korea again,  but it was with my brother. 

You will be surprised, when I drafted this blog is around 4.05am in the morning at 24-hours McDonald. Yes...we have no place to sleep for that night and have to stay all night! We have been chased out from Jimjilbang place in the mid night 3.30am, dragging our luggage in the middle of the road... the weather of that night was freezing cold. I will said this was an valuable experiences for me which I will never forgot.  

Before the trip started, I have spend around two to three months to study and plan for the itinerary and booked all accommodation for the trip. But I do said I make a mistake by booking the wrong hostel in Agoda. The review is bad and I supposed to book another hostel with roughly the same name. After I paid through my credit card only I realized, I made a mistake.

When we arrived in xx Egg House, the were no receptionist in the hostel. We have to wait for the person-in-charge for more than one hour. When he came back, he didn't immediately attend to our check in, rather checking his phone call and ask us to wait. I was very annoyed and told him that we have been waiting here for more than one hour. I showed him our confirmation booking through Agoda and hope we can check in immediately.

He kept asking when I make the booking, I really couldn't remember the exact date. But didn't I displayed the confirmation booking? Then he told me, no reservation was made. I was even surprised cause before I travel, there were an email shoot to me by the hostel saying thanks to me for staying in their hostel. But I do replied him the email that the exact date I will be staying.

He told me it was the previous staff mistake and he was resigned. Now he only has room without the private bathroom that I booked. I requested for the discount cause I remember the price was difference, he told me no discount. And mentioned that it was not his mistake. I tried to argue with him, this is their mistake too although the staff had left. He then told me I tried to make fuss on him and asked me to look for another place to stay.

I was really angry with his attitude and he was rude! He can well verse in English, but the service was WORST! At last, the only thing I can do was to ask for refund. He told me that he didn't get the money, I have to tell Agoda for the refund. My brother immediately called Agoda, they help us to locate for another hotel but failed to do so. The only thing they can do is to refund the money with one day extra compensation to us.

We didn't realize, most of the places in tourism spot was fully booked. The main reason was holiday for Korea, China and Japan during that period. We walked through few hotels until we suggested by local to sleep in Vestel Jimjilbang. But unfortunately it was closed due to all full. We really have no idea where we can go and decided to stay at their lobby and wait until the next day. Not only us, but there a lots of people like us who have no place to go for that night. 

Haha! What an adventure trip from the start. Now the only thing I can do is to laugh and enjoyed it!