Between leaving Busan and heading back to Mongolia, we had about 24 hours in Seoul. After checking into our hotel, we went to several of the larger department stores on a failed attempt to buy a waffle iron. Not available in Mongolia, we thought that since you can buy waffles on every corner in Korea that we we would be able to get a waffle iron to take home. Sadly no. Perhaps there is a waffle mafia in Korea and only those with connections are allowed to make them.

On a more positive note, we met up with our friend Ari (of the guest photographer fame) and went to a wonderful vegan buffet in Gangnam. I find it fascinating how creative cooks can be when cooking vegan. There were all sorts of Korean inspired dishes made out of tofu, tvp, seitan and veggies. It was great to see Ari, and hope she is around the next time we make it to Seoul.

On our last day of vacation we decided to go ride bikes alongside the Han river. After getting a bit disoriented (which lead into a discussion on the merits of the journey over the destination led by Brian) we eventually made it to the bike rental place. The bikes were wobbly and old but cheap and had two wheels, so that was all that mattered.

This is a path in the middle of Seoul. Who knew?

The Han River

Brian-Speed Racer

The National Assembly is in the distance.

As always we didn’t want to leave Korea, but we consoled ourselves with the fact that we will be back and by these….

Robert De Nero doing a Robert De Nero impersonation

The world's best souvenir.

Our third day in Busan was spent down near the main port area. After coffee and pastries (vacation is mainly an excuse for us to eat and eat and eat) we hiked rode the escalator up to Busan tower in Yongdusan Park. It is not nearly as tall as the one in Seoul, but the view was lovely anyway.

On the way up to Busan Tower.

Kids playing games in the park.

Picture perfect park.

Nexk we headed over to the Lotte Department store nearby which has a water show every hour. It was an impressive display of water works set to music that involved water shooting up out of the pool as well as falling from the ceiling.

Busan is written with falling water droplets and back lit.

Get down from there!

Korean department stores are epically large, so we went exploring. Up and up we went until surprisingly we came out on the 12th floor roof where there was a free petting zoo. You would only get that here in Mongolia if a goat somehow escaped the dinner pot and hid out on the roof.

This pig just had to be pregnant.

Some jivy kids shaking their stuff on the zoo stage.

Never seen dogs in a zoo before...

Where can I get one of these?

Love locks on the fence around the Lotte Observation Deck.

Next we headed to the Busan Modern History Museum which focused mainly on the Japanese occupation of Busan. It was a fascinating look at a period of history I did not know much about.

Part of the "traditional street" display in the museum.

After a stop for bubble tea we wandered over to an area called 40 Steps that was not quite as exciting as all the guide books made it out to be but was an interesting area of narrow streets, steep staircases, and statues.

A statue dedicated to single mothers.

A bit of surprise art.

Why use stairs when you can use a spiral ramp?

Not super handicap friendly.

Our last act of the day was to eat truck loads worth of Kaiten (conveyor) sushi, but there is no photographic evidence of it. Just wonderful memories.

Well rested and ready to see more of Busan, we headed down to Haeundae Beach. Extremely popular during summer vacation, we had the beach almost to ourselves even though it was a perfect beach day. The area around the beach is filled with cute little stores, guesthouses, pork and seafood themed restaurants, and a really good bakery called OPS. When we were there, preparations were going on for the Busan International Film Festival, including the construction of temporary buildings that looked sturdier than half the buildings here in Mongolia.

Our first stop was the Busan Aquarium which is right on the beach and interestingly enough underground. We wondered if that was to make it easier to pump water into the tanks but are not sure. Our favorites were the otters and jellyfish, but the entire aquarium was lovely. We also got to see hundreds of tiny uniformed preschoolers on field trips. Very very cute kiddos.

The picture definition of a relaxed otter. (Yes, it is alive in spite of appearances).

Tiny colored jelly fish.

Wonderful faces.

After a lunch break of green onion pancakes, spicy tofu soup, and most importantly pastries, we took an hour cruise around the bay. It was great being out on the water and seeing the town from another angle. We also passed an impressive lighthouse, as well as fed shrimp crackers to seagulls.

Some of the birds could catch the crackers in midair.

Looking back at the city.

Two of the larger islands in the habor.

Brian wondering how long it would take him to swim to Japan.

Not quite grasping the concept of a selfie.

Heading back to the dock.

We wrapped up our wonderful day with a peaceful walk on the beach. I can never get enough time on the ocean.

Haeundae Beach

Beach trees.

My feet were so happy.

Busan-where even the parking lots are green and lush.

Brian and I have enjoyed all of our visits to Seoul over the years, but we decided that it was high time we explored some new territory. We took a long weekend to check out Busan which is on the Southern tip of the Korean peninsula and the 5th largest port in the world. While it is a big city like Seoul, it had a different more laid back feel which we thoroughly enjoyed. We flew into Seoul, got a bus to the train station, took the high speed KTX train down to Busan, and finally made it to our hotel by subway. Korea really makes it easy for tourists to get around even when one doesn’t speak a word of Korean.

Busan Station

Our first afternoon there we were pretty tired from our red eye flight, but we managed to get up the energy to take a hike at Igidae park, a lovely little forested park on the coast. I think we were the only ones there not retired or wearing high tech hiking gear, but we survived. The views were lovely, and the air temperature was perfect.

The trails were very well maintained.

Rock cairns alongside the trail.

Looking out over Busan

In case hiking was not enough exercise there were work out stations all along the trail.

I'm so happy not to be wearing a sweater!!

A few post-hike drinks.

The only wildlife we spotted, but impressive none the less.

After our hike we made our way back to our hotel via Brian’s favorite new store.

To round out our day (we were pretty much zombies by this point) we took the easy way out and ate in the hotel.

Goodnight Busan!

When we went to Arkhangai last month we were joined by our friend Ari who was visiting from Korea. She also happens to be an amazing photographer. Here are a few gems from the trip.

Brian sharing our photos with Darimaa and Namjaa

Lovely Darkhuu

What happens when Brian is given too much free time.

His fluffy exterior hides his evil core.

Some giant feet at Gandan Monastery

A few posers.

Here comes super Santi!