John & Sun-Ling Wander the Earth: Busan: Coastal Walk Part One

We loved our 5 weeks in Japan and unlike our two sight-scoring previous visits this time we had plenty of person-to-person interaction with Japanese people who beneath the seemingly excessive politeness and protocol are genuinely kind, fun-loving, and gregarious.

And now we are flying from Kansai Airport near Osaka to Busan, South Korea. We have low expectations and only an outline of an itinerary for South Korea; however Busan won us over almost immediately as the cherry blossoms were in full bloom and the coastal hiking trail was more than spectacular. Basically our two full days in Busan was spent walking a 28 km section of their coastal walking course(s), Galmaet-gil (Seagull Path), from north to south.

We booked an early train from Shingu to Kansai Airport and catch some beautiful morning vistas out the window over the Pacific Ocean.

On the train to Kansai International Airport - Osaka Japan

Sun-Ling walks out to the Peach Plane.

On the Tarmac at Kansai International Airport - Osaka, Japan

Our first full day in Busan we ride the Metro 30 minutes northeast in order to walk south along the coast. But WOW when we come up out fo the metro station. Cherry trees in full bloom all around.

For the next several hours it's all cherry blossoms all the time as we walk from Dalmaji Hill to Haeundae Beach.

A perfect day for strolling with your partner.

Blossom viewing is creating a traffic jam.

We come upon (for the first of many times) a public compressed air station and blast the dust off our pants and shoes.

Cleaning my Boots at the Public Compressed Air Station - Busan, South Korea

Eventually we arrive at Haeundae Beach and begin to follow the familiar ribbons of a South Korean walking course.

A stiff wind is blowing as we walk along the beach. It would turn out that almost every day we spent in South Korea would be either windy or very windy.

The Haeundae LCT The Sharp project is right on the beach. The so-called "landmark tower" on the right will be 101 stories tall, and the adjacent apartment building 85 stories.

There were some cool statues off the beach acting as beacons.

The walking course then goes around Dongbaek Island with great views up and down the coast. First up the coast to Haeundae Beach. There is a replica of the Little Mermaid statue on the rocks at center left - see if you can find it.