A Busan Break

For Damo's birthday weekend, we took a short break to Busan. Thanks to the super-fast KTX train we were able to travel the length of the country in about 3 hours. We found Busan to be a nice break from Seoul. Even though it's the country's second biggest city, it only has a population of 4 million, compared with the 20+ million in the greater Seoul area. Being set on a hilly sea port, much of Busan's culture and history is based on the sea and it actually has more of an international feel than we have found in Seoul- particularly the Russian influence.

Given the sea theme, we thought we would start with some shots of Busan's famous Jagalchi Fish Market.

One of the many female fish mongers cleans some squid

A runaway octopus... only about 200m to go until freedom!

Fresh shellfish

And what Korean market would be complete without...

Multiple varieties of kimchi

... and a few pig's heads

We took a casual stroll around Beomeosa, Busan's most famous Buddhist temple, originally founded around 678 AD. Set on the side of a mountain, as many temples are, it was a peaceful site, even given the ride with the lead-foot bus driver to get there!

A couple of Beomeosa's resident monks

We spent Saturday night strolling along Busan's floodlit Gwangalli beach. The adjacent road is lined with restaurants and up market hotels.

Gwangalli Beach

Little Red Riding Hood admiring Busan's suspension bridge

For a bird's eye view of the city, we headed to Daecheong Park, home of a magnificent memorial to Korean's who have died in war.

You can either go straight up the stairs or zigzag... can you spot someone taking a break after the climb?

The view from the top

The memorial statue overlooking Busan

Happy 21st Damo!

We had the privilege of having Damo over here for his 21st and so were able to help him celebrate. This occurred over a number of nights and included much eating, drinking, singing and balloon art...

Damo on his birthday morn with a gift bag of Korean goodies

Happy birthday to you... happy birthday to you... happy birthday Damon the Demon of Dracula... happy birthday to you!

The gang at the WA Bar in Hyehwa, plus one Korean waitress who thought Damo was handsome and a brilliant balloon motorcycle made by the resident balloon man

It wouldn't be a true 21st without a snap from the younger years... luckily I had this one on the computer (Mum- if there is anything more embarrassing out there that you want to add, you know where to contact me!)

A Date with Daejeon

While Amanda, Ray and Damo were here, we took Annette up on an invitation to visit her home town of Daejeon. Only an hour south of Seoul on the super fast KTX train, Daejeon is the technology capital of Korea. Here you will find the country's top science and technology uni - known as the uni where the lights never go out, and many of Korea's top telecommunication companies, including LG and Samseong (yes, that is actually the correct Romanisation and how Koreans pronounce it... we are laughed at when we say SamsUng).

Annette also invited a couple of the other Korean teachers- Min-ju and Christine, and Amanda took the opportunity to met up with her old uni friend, Gemma, who is living and teaching in Gwang-ju, another hour south of Daejeon. So, there was actually quite a few of us that rocked up to Annette's parents house, but in true Korean style they fed us like kings with a fantastic lunch that included of all of Annette's favourite dishes.

From left- Annette, Ray, Gemma, Min-ju, Christine, Trent, me, Damon and Amanda

After lunch we headed out of town to a Buddhist temple at the base of a mountain

Damo enjoying the company of the gals

The next day we checked out Daejeon's '93 World Expo site and science museum. To our joy and amusement we also met up with the Expo's mascot- Kkumdori, who is suppose to be a space fairy.

Damo hanging out with Kkumdori

Another joyful characterisation - ah... the harmony of nuclear power and nature...

Trent and Mel Korean Style- Part II (including Damo)

You may recall that mid last year Trent and I did a little posing in a Korean photo booth. This is quite a pastime for Koreans, especially teens, and so we thought it would be remiss of us to deny Damo this opportunity. Here were the results...

Me, Damo and Trent in a bit of a rough neighbourhood (note the bullet holes)

... And, in the land of love and flower power