MMS Log 9: Busan Day 2

After knocking out for 10 hours, I was ready the next day to explore more of Busan. We first headed to Jagalshi Market, where seafood was fresh and abundant. We could smell the seafood, but it was more of the SEA we smelled in the food.

FRESH, BABY, FRESH.

Stingray

Octopus

Directions: Jagalchi Station (Busan subway line 1), Exit 10. Turn right onto Jagalchi 3(sam)-gil Street. Walk for 5min, then turn left to arrive at Jagalchi Market.

We walked into a random restaurant and had grilled fish for brunch.

Grilled fishes KRW7,000 (taken while eating)

After that, we walked back out of the market and crossed the road to see the location of the Busan International Film Festival. There were a few hand impressions and signatures on the floor. There were pochangmachangs all over too.

Zhang YiMou

WIlliam DaFoe

PochangMacha

After that, we walked to Gukje Market which wasn't very far away. Gukje Market is much like the GwangZhang Market in Seoul, selling textiles and stuff. From there we walked on to the Book Street which is filled with stores selling secondhand books.

pshhhh OLD

Directions: Coming from Jagalchi Market and Gukje Market, continue walking up until you see the statue at a cross junction. Also, look out for an Angel-in-us cafe. The book street is on the left.
"Alternatively, from Jagalchi station, get out of exit 7, turn left at the corner and walk all the way straight for about 350m past PIFF square and Gukje Market. You will reach an intersection and you the grey pillar which says 'Bosu-Dong Book Street will be on the opposite side of the road." cr. seoulotraveller

We found leather-bound classical literature books and even Tablo's creative writing book! One book was KRW10,000 and $10 leather-bound lit books are CHEAP.

After our lit craze, we took a cab up to TaeGeuk Village. Taegeuk Village is known as Korea's Santorini, but I likened it more to Vila Cruzeiro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The place is quite a climb, so I recommend extremely comfortable shoes.

Project: House of Light

Directions: 
1. Catch the 17 or 17-1 bus across from Busan Station. Get off at the last stop. A short walk up from there you can catch the local bus (maeul bus). Take the bus and get off at Gamjeong Elementary School. From there you should see the village.
2. Take bus 1-1 or bus 2 from exit 6 of Toseong station. (Turn right and walk up the slope along the flow of traffic till you reach PNUH cancer centre)

Taegeuk Village is like an art village, with many art projects along the guided route. The awesome thing about this place is that they have road markers to guide you around the village so that you won't get lost without a map.

Follow the fish...

...and the arrows

A word of precaution though: This place is supposedly a symbol of poverty. Tourists may find the beauty in this chaos, but the residents might find shame in their property. If you are taking photos, please make sure that you are not disturbing the residents and that you have their permission if you see them. Don't be surprised when they chase you away, because they don't want people to photograph their poverty.

After that, we took a bus back down to the train station and we headed to Choryang station. We cabbed, but we ended up at the wrong station anyway. We were supposed to go to Busan station and find this porridge franchise called BonJook. Honestly, you can find this franchise in Seoul too, and they're everywhere. We just didn't know at that time.

Tuna and Vegetable Porridge KRW8,000

Normal Abalone Porridge KRW11,000

The porridge is not bad, but not fantastic either. Maybe it's because we Singaporeans expect a strong taste in our porridges? Too much salt, guys. There is soy sauce, so go ahead and create your own taste.

After settling back at the hostel, we headed out to Gwangalli Beach. Gwangalli Beach has tamer waves and Korea's longest bridge, connecting one end of Busan to the other. Gwangan Bridge is lit up at night, so you can see the majesty(?) of it.

Gwangan Bridge

View of Gwangalli Beach

Directions:
1. From Busan Station, take city bus No. 41, 42, 140, 239, 240, 139 and get off at Gwanganlli Beach (runs frequently) 
2. From Express Bus Terminal, take city bus No. 131, 131-1
3. Take subway line no. 1 from Busan Subway Station and transfer from subway line no. 1 to no. 1 at Seomyeon Station. Get off at Gwangan Station(subway line no. 2, exit 3 or 5) and walk 5 minutes.