Travels with Wgrabow: South Korea: Yeosu, Jeju, Incheon, Busan

In South Korea, our ship makes stops at Yoseu, Jeju Island, Incheon, and Busan. Overall, we are very impressed. Did you realize that small S. Korea produces many more ocean-going vessels than the US? Its auto manufacturers, Hyundai & Kia, are major world players. Korean’s Samsung is ubiquitous in electronics. In the entertainment industry, K-Pop is a world force. Prosperity there is similar to the US or Europe.

We visited a shopping mall in Incheon that matches or exceeds anything we have experienced elsewhere. At this huge mall (six levels), we visited a store, Uniglo, with an open storefront where checkout is self-service. We visited another store which had NO clerks. Checkout was on the honor system! The mall was serving many shoppers, unlike the vacant failing malls at home. We spent our time exploring only the first floor of this complex and took few photographs.

Looking toward central Incheon from the harbor. Can you pick out the tallest building at 1001 feet tall? Many of the buildings are quite tall, and this is not the only complex of such buildings. We chose not to go to Seoul; it would have meant a long bus ride to spend time in an even larger urban complex.

The crime rate is extremely low. They are a very hard-working, moral society. But they also have an artistic/aesthetic aspect. Looking at central Incheon from the harbor, you see a mass of very tall high-rise buildings. The tallest is 68 stories, 1001 feet high, which is only slightly taller than other buildings in the vicinity. At first, we thought, “It must be terrible to live in such dense surroundings.” But as we approached downtown, we discovered many lush parks with flowers, trees, grass, and walking paths. Outdoor relief has been provided for those high-rise apartment dwellers.

The harbor at Yeosu, impressively modern skyline.

Camellia Island provides a nature preserve right on the harbor at Yeosu.

Part of the Heungguksa Temple complex located inland from Yeosu. There were very few people present at the time of our visit.

Central shrine at Heungguksa Temple which contains a huge bell, rung by swinging a wooden log suspended by chains.

A temple complex should always include flowers.

.... and more flowers

Our cruise next stopped at Jeju Island.

Jeju harbor, looking north toward mainland South Korea.

We visited a 'folk village' where many of the aspects of a traditional lifestyle are retained. It was here that we visited a self-checkout store with no clerks.

Statue at small temple at Sunrise Peak parking lot. The Peak is a very popular attraction. You can trek to the peak (on this day wrapped in clouds) or descend to the beach and even take a boat ride.

Sunrise Peak located on the eastern shore of Jeju Island. On this morning the sun was blocked by clouds, but it was still a very popular destination.

Boats loading tourists for a seaward view of Sunrise Peak.

If you were impressed by the tall buildings at Incheon, consider that the tallest building at Busan is 1350 feet tall.

United Nations Memorial Cemetery at Busan with a bit of the city skyline in the background. Soldiers of many nations served, and died, in South Korea during the war with North Korea and China.

I was very impressed with the immaculate condition of the Memorial Cemetery and the respect with which it is treated. There were many Korean visitors to this Memorial commemorating the sacrifice of foreign soldiers in defense of the country.

Those Korean soldiers looked very sharp in executed a well-rehearsed ceremony.

Look at all the tall buildings in Busan! A great contrast with the well-groomed green fields of the military cemetery.

On a visit to a beach, a group of South Koreans posed at the end of a glass-bottomed platform extending out above the ocean hundreds of feet below.

Full coverage for this female diver harvesting marine creatures off the coast at Busan. (telephoto)

In this part of Asia, when you visit a 'fish market', the display is extensive and impressive. Every possible product of the sea is on view from many vendors. Here we see crabs.

This is one of many displays of fish, most of which are laying on a bed of ice.

I believe that these are called sea cucumbers. I have no idea how they taste but would be willing to try one.

Dawn and I spent much of our time in Busan taking walks on our own. Streets, arcades, a terminal, and 'China town' and good exercise (better than doing laps of our ship deck).