Next day walked south from Busan Station to Jungangno which is the older downtown. Lots of high rise offices and international offices. This had nothing like the feel of Daegu. I could see the Busan Tower so headed in that direction. Its at the top of a small mountain downtown easy to climb. Once you get there I could see the densly populated island across which immediately reminded me of Gibraltar with the giant rock.

Went up the Busan tower and took lots of pics from all angles . At the bottom they had a museum of world musical instruments included in the $5 ticket. There was also an art gallery and a seaship museum for $1. Further down I came across a temple where they said I could get a free meal but I decided to pass as I had a lot of ground to cover.

youtube video : view from busan tower
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4PIX2GVCRM

Once you descend back all the way down I was in Nampodong with is their pedestrianized shopping area. This felt like Switzerland with all the english signs of designer stores, and mountains in the background. All you needed was a tram running down the middle and some snow. After walking down this street you come to the Busan Internatioanl Film Festival Area which is like Hollywoods walk of fame. There was an alley with lots of noodle food vendors leading to Gujke Market which is a big covered market area.

youtube video : nampodong european shopping area
http://www .youtube.com/watch?v=_iQNL3e7m3s

youtube video : nampo street noodle stalls
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcCz7xFb9eg

 
youtube video : Gukje Market
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTWy7nXTDdY

Walking south to the shoreline was Jagalchi Market which is one of the largest fish markets in the world. There was all variety of fish and shellfish as well as other marine creatures. Also, you can get fresh fried fish here, surprising as I had never seen fried fish in Daegu. Behind the stalls were their trawlers and people fishing in the waters. From here was a bridge you could walk across to Taejongdae Island across. Reminded me of Istanbul with all the fishing boats and the bridge you could walk across to the other side.

youtube video : Jagalchi Fish Market
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwWhgkalBZI

youtube video : Busan Harbour
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8zi65s_5Qw

I wanted to take a bus to the tip of the island to see the lighthouse so bought a metro day pass for $3. Then I found out from these two korean jehovas witnesses that stopped me that this was only for the subways not the buses. So took the bus which I thought would take me to the lighthouse at the tip. Wrong, it only went 3/4 of the way and stopped at the entrance to the park . The northern half of the island is heavily built up. Again, reminded me of Gibraltar as theres lots of development clinging to the side of a mountain so lots of steep roads. The southern half of the island is a public park.

Entering the park there was a mini train to take you to different stops along the way. I bought a ticket but wasnt able to board the first train, there were that many people in february! I decided to walk rather than wait 20 mins for the next train as it was getting late and I wanted to meet my friend for dinner later. The walk wasnt too bad, I got the the tip in less than half an hour.

First there was an observation building, with an indoor art exhibition of Busan and outdoor viewing platform. Further along was the lighthouse. This had a lot of stairs to actually get to the lighthouse further down on the rocks. You can even go further and climb onto the rocks, which many people had done, but I left that for another time as I was short on time . My friend later told me you can also do boat rides, again for another trip.

That evening met my friend by the Busan Mosque. Next door was a Turkish Restaurant where we had kebabs (see later entry Turkish Busan). Since I bought the day metro pass needed to get some mileage out of it, so first got off at the Busan University area. This is a big traffic free area of narrow streets with bars and other stores, similar to our bar area in Daegu (but ours is nicer and a lot bigger!). Also got off at another midtown area where two of the subway lines cross. At night this was like times square with lots of flashing signs, and again lots of bars with neon signs lighting up the sidestreets.

youtube video : Busan Metro Night Skyline
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbG_iz50MRE

youtube video : Seomyeon Nightlife
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8-lvEGZhqA

Busan is nothing like Daegu and doesnt even feel like Korea . I've been to many towns in Korea but this has a completely different feel. A comparison would be Hong Kong and mainland China, Hong Kong is nothing like the rest of China with its own identity.

Starting from the station, first it felt like Russia, the downtown shopping area was like Switzerland, the harbour area was like Istanbul, and the island across was like Gibraltar. Taking the subway north it felt like Hong Kong as you have lots of high rise apartments built in the little space between the mountains. A lot more english signage and english speakers.

I would consider living here but if i'm going to live in Korea I want it to feel like Korea. Busan has a very international and european feel to it. But i'm definately loving my stay here and really feels like a holiday and not just a visit to another town.