After leaving the Sea of Japan and the western channel of
the Korea Strait, we arrived in Pusan, South Korea (to be politically correct,
the Republic of Korea.) Pusan is located
about 35 degrees north, 129 degrees east and is the second largest city in South
Korea. It also the world’s third largest
port. The city is immense with huge
apartment skyscrapers dotting the landscape.
Four and half million people live here.
The sail-in was quite beautiful with huge mountains surrounding the
immense port.
Once ashore, we traveled to Beomeosa Temple located in the outskirts of Pusan. The drive was interesting seeing the different neighborhoods eventually giving way to the countryside. Nestled in the foothills, this typical Zen temple has three beautiful monumental gates leading up a hillside to an incredible main hall. There were lots and lots of Korean women praying in many of the outlying buildings. We were able to see a few monks making their way around the grounds. We really enjoyed our visit.
We drove back into the city and headed to the Jagaichi Market.This is always Jeff’s favorite (not), it’s the fish market.Aisle after aisle of stalls sell every imaginable type of fish.You can find vendors selling a huge selection off of shiny aluminum table tops and you also find a solitary woman sitting on a stool with a single bucket in front of her hawking some odd-looking item.The market’s odor was very distinctive and was identified at least four blocks away. The Koreans eat a lot of raw fish and it was obvious this market was selling very clean, very fresh products.
Our final stop was the Gukje (International) Market.Pedestrian street after pedestrian street, this covered market is chock full of household items, clothes, jewelry and such.No horses to be found, just our desperate Jeff resorted to buying a statue of a sheep.I hope this is not the start of a new collecting bug.
Good night!
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