Busan 3D2N with Farah

This post is actually a backdated one, a trip from 9th to 11th April 2013, all thanks to the lovely and a very very humble girl from Singapore; Farah - Thank you so much.

Me at Gimpo Airport -taking Busan Air to Gimhae Airport. 

I went to Busan as a tour guide.

All thanks to Farah that I was given this opportunity to rest my mind and my body near the cool and famous Haeundae beach.

Waiting area, before boarding at Gimpo Airport.

It was my fourth time to Busan and I really feel like at home. I prefer smaller city like how I love Osaka over Tokyo. The same goes with Busan...but a warning for first-timer-entry-to-South Korea-via-Busan.



Busan is pretty much laid back as compared to the capital city; Seoul. For the umpteenth time, I just cannot..not to miss the Busan saturi = dialect. It sounds so sexy to my ears!



It kinda amazed me how I just love the intonation when people use saturi.



If you ever watched Dream High; The character Song Sam Dong played by Kim Soo Hyun spoke in saturi = dialect...Gyeongsangbuk-do saturi I guess..but I can't nail the exact district. Ilsan? Masan? Ulsan? Busan? Hmmm...If in Malaysia, that would be so "kampung" of Song Sam Dong..hehe.

Out from the arrival hall at Gimhae Airport - following the crowds

to take Busan Metro for Haeundae. Read the sign '부산김해경전철 타는곳' 

I stayed near Haeundae beach and the view of the beach was superb! The weather was great but rather cold for a dip in the beach but the sunshine...oh..sunshine. I was in love.



There wasn't much places covered during our trip to Busan, only:

1. Haeundae Beach


2. Yonggungsa or Yonggung temple


3. Gwangalli Beach


4. Gamcheon Cultural Village


5. Jagalchi Market 


6. PIFF 


7. Lotte Shopping Complex at Nampo-dong

And..we covered only half day by walking and the rest of the time with taxi. Well not cheap...but Farah had blisters on her feet from her exhaustive 7-day-Seoul trip before coming to Busan. She burnt herself pretty good..heheh..Farah, I told you so lah!

Walk towards that covered pedestrian area.

I will try to write a few posts for the places covered in Busan during this trip but for now..I really need my wink. My dark-circle has gone down my cheeks,  yikes!!

Busan Metro Information.

That lovely girl; Farah

Hope this post helps to give you the feel of Gimhae Airport once you walk out to find Busan Metro. ^^



안녕히 주무십시오.

AirAsia Busan Route - To Fly or Not to Fly

Not a great idea if you're...

a first timer in South Korea

AND...

if you visit the country for less than a week. 



Entering the beautiful country via Busan is..I am pretty sure... not really worth the first time experience

Although AirAsia cheap airfare to Busan is kinda tempting and well promoted too yeah?



I am not belittling Busan..of course! Who am I?? Busan is great..I love the manly man and the sexy saturi...ok, I'm serious. Saturi is sexy! Hehehe...



The bustling port city definitely has its own attraction and merits but believe me...not for the first timer.



Check out my reasons below. This is entirely my own opinion, you might disagree....yes or no, it's your choice.



Reason Number 1



To compare is to know the map...*cough* I mean the geographical layout of South Korea or what not.



Well...here is Geography lesson 101....hehehe. Look at the map.

It takes about 3 hours and a half by public transport ie bus from Busan to Seoul and that if there's no heavy traffic and about 2 hours and 45 minutes by KTX; the bullet train.



What does it mean here? The logic...



CASE STUDY: taking the AirAsia arrival time in Busan as the gauge

0115 hours from LCCT Airport Sepang, Malaysia

0830 hours arrive at Gimhae Airport, Busan, South Korea

Say you arrive in Busan...you will take KTX, cause this is your FIRST time experience taking the bullet.



Allow buffer time of 2 hours to reach Busan station for KTX, 3 hours is good (ya know...nature's call and etc --all depends on whether you're alone or in a group, young group, old group..)



Take the KTX from Busan Station to Seoul Station

If you're good..take the KTX at 1100 hours AND arrive at 1342 hours

OR the next one at 1200 hours AND arrive at 1443 hours



So far so good right? but if you fly to South Korea during the grave hours...after midnight and arrive in the morning---> YOU WILL BE DEAD TIRED by the time you reach Seoul around 2pm.



Tip: Try to stay either in Hongdae (noisier than Ewha but fun) or Ewha unversity area (a bit toned down)



So what am I saying here? the fact that YOU WILL LOSE ONE WHOLE DAY TAKING A REST..instead of painting the town red



I know that some might say..."I'm still young, I am on my best form and have climbed the Everest Mt -- I won't get tired!"...for example ^^ Of course you won't be tired...but on the 3rd day, you will be burnt...very slowly...heheh.



There goes my long-winded reason number 1.



Reason Number 2



Many of the IMPORTANT attractions can be covered in Seoul. The spots worth visiting are close to each other and walking distance. Being a tour guide with a year and a half walking experience in Seoul, you could trust me in this one. ^^



Check out Seoul magazine for easy to understand map and complete with important spots to visit.

Pstt...you can get this magazine for FREE in KTO or Seoul Global Center if you are the lucky one to grab it early every month or you can buy it at any of major bookstores in Seoul for 5,000 won a piece.



Reason Number 3



If you love beaches...by all means come during summer and try to stay in Haeundae. IMO, Haeundae is the prettiest beach among those in Busan. However, be prepared to share the beaches with Koreans as well. Summer is the peak season and a long-earned holiday for them.



But...being a Malaysian with many white beaches to choose from in her own country, I have no idea why I want to visit South Korea during summer??? I would rather go during autumn, spring or winter...just to bask in the differences. ^^



Reason Number 4



IMO,  Busan's worth visiting spots are:

• Yonggungsa - the only temple beside the sea


• Beaches and the bridge


• Gamcheon Cultural Village


• Fish markets - Jagalchi and seafood restaurant (a MUST try)

The rests, you pretty much can cover similar places in Seoul ie. palaces, temples, museums, cool cafe's and etc