After several failed attempts at planning a trip to Busan, Scott Brady, Jonathan Sharp and I managed to make our way down to South Korea's large port city, known for its exceptional seafood and laid back atmosphere. The timing couldn't have been better, as the cherry blossoms had just come into bloom on the warmer south shore. Unfortunately we weren't able to find cheap enough tickets to take the KTX (Fast Train) but managed to get a good deal (~$40) for the round trip by the slower railway. We left on a Thursday night and returned Sunday night. All told we only spent about $150 each, our weekly stipend from Soonchunhyang University. I typically don't spend over $50 throughout the regular week so all the extra goes to travelling, new sights, tastes, smells, customs, experiences, friends. It's nice to be with some like minded travellers who are keen on spending their money wisely, and at times sacrificing comfort for adventure and memorable moments. South Korea is a relatively cheap place to sustain oneself as it is. You can get by rather comfortably for under $30/day while travelling. Then again, we wanted some unique experiences and 
one thing I had no problem spending a few extra bucks on was food. The average restaurant meal is about $5.00. The most we spent at one sitting was about $10. Accommodations at a jimjilbang are spa quality, for under $10/night. Just don't expect a private room. Everyone sleeps in a commons room on pads - if you are ruthless (or early) enough to get one before they're all taken. Typically though, that isn't an issue. The best feature of the jimjilbang is the spa area. Typically the facility is seperated into several floors, each dedicated to a unique purpose. Men and women's "sauna" are always separate and everyone is in the nude. The sauna room typically features at least 5 hot and cold pools of varying degrees, usually a couple mineral baths, wet and dry sauna, massage station, showers, and jet pools. Most Jimjilbang's have something uniquely their own. The Vesta Spa, which we stayed at in Busan, had a large hot pool out on a balcony overlooking Hae Undae beach and the city of Busan. I would have taken a photo but I'm fairly certain it would be socially unacceptable to take a camera into a room full of naked men. All in all it was an excellent experience, no doubt the best weekend I have had in Korea thus far. I'm sure I'll be heading to Busan several times more...Here's the trip summary:
- Arrive in Busan by train ~11:00pm
- Wander downtown area for a couple hours
- Decide its warm enough to sleep outside the first night
- Walk entire length of downtown Busan
- Locate spot to sleep under Cherry trees
- Go to sleep 2:00 am
- Decide it's not warm enough to sleep outside
- Wake up with the sunrise and go for breakfast
- Eat at the bakery
- Nap at the bakery
- Catch Subway to Beomeosa temple
- Hike Beomeosa and Geumjeong fortress (1:00 - 6:00)
- Catch Subway to Hae Undae beach
- Eat Dinner (never going to "fish and grill" again, bad decision)
- Grab a beer and relax on the beach
- Catch taxi to Vesta Spa & Jimjilbang
- Wake up the next morning and head to Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival with fellow SCH student, Laura
- Enjoy scenery of festival and battle the crowds
- Get standing room only bus for 1hr ride back to Busan
- Sleep at a different Jimjilbang
- Wake up 10:30 and meet Korean friend (english name is also Scott)
- Korean friend shows us around the fish market
- Eat San Nakji (Live Octopus) for breakfast
- Eat fried eel
- Hang out in the fish market
- Wander toward Songdo Beach
- Relax on the Beach
- Explore Russian town near train station
- Head back to Asan....
- The End
Whale meat is available at the fish market, and I spotted quite a bit of it at the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival. Not all that surprising, still questionable though considering laws and diminishing populations.
Be sure to check out my Flickr page for all of my photos. Check out the links on the right side of the page.
Live Octopus Video:
