Busan, South Korea (2nd Visit)

            On 10 Oct 2013, we didn’t need to meet for our excursion until 12:30 PM, so our morning was leisurely.  When Jesse looked out our balcony window and remarked that the view looked very familiar, Sally reminded him that we were in this port previously, on 3 Oct 2013.  Busan is the only port that is visited twice on this two-part cruise.

Since Sally still didn’t feel well, Jesse brought breakfast back from the Horizon Court.  Our room steward, Joey, and the waiters in the dining area all reminded Jesse that room service is available for no charge (except for gratuity); however, the menu is limited and does not include the oatmeal and fresh fruit (pineapple, cantalope, and watermelon) that we enjoy every morning.  After breakfast, Sally napped, while Jesse watched the Government shutdown saga on the television.



At Temple Bell

Sally Ringing Temple Bell

After a light lunch, we met with others at the Wheelhouse Bar for our 1:00 PM tour.  Unlike our guide on our previous visit to Busan, this tour guide, Lei, had very good English enunciation; therefore, we had no trouble understanding her.  As the bus driver took us through the city streets, Lei pointed out the sites.  Soon we stopped at the Samgwangsa Temple, one of several Buddhist temples.  After climbing up a lot of steps (with no hand rails), we removed our shoes and went inside the Temple for the Tea Ceremony.  While six women and a male monk participated in the ceremony, Lei told us the significance of their actions.  This ceremony is performed slowly, while listening to the water boil, appreciating the aroma of the tea, and relaxing.  The point is to make a wish during the ceremony.  Apparently, there are also female monks, who also shave their heads, and all (Korean) monks are celibate.  After the ceremony, we were all served tea and rice cakes.  (The rice cakes had filling in them, possibly ground nuts, and were very good.)  Then we all went outside, where we took turns ringing the temple bell.  It normally is rung twice each day, once in the morning and again in the evening, but today it rang a lot!

Jesse Ringing Temple Bell

After leaving the temple, we continued our tour of the city.  Our guide had intended to make a brief stop at the Yongdusan Park, but it was closed to the public due to a special event.  We returned to our cabin about 4:15 PM.

Before dinner, we went out on deck and watched Korean drummers perform on the pier.  Then, for several minutes during dinner, we watched the fireworks from the dining room window as the ship sailed away towards Nagasaki, Japan.  After dinner, we danced to a few songs in the Club Fusion before retiring to our cabin about 8:30 PM.