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Cherry Blossom Tour S. Korea
  • Sharon Miller
  • Sharon Miller

Cherry Blossom Tour S. Korea

Travelling with Dragoman Guides Neill & Chris and travel mates Phil, Angie, Tom, Jane, Mary, Rick, Julia, Rui, Margaret, Vivian, Miriam, Bryan, Reto, Karl, Robert, Ed, Brett, Frank, Chavdar, Desi, Chris, Anita, Paul, Martin, Natalia, Peter & Shonagh Read more
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  • Trip start
    April 15, 2025
    Sharon MillerCherry Blossom Tour S. KoreaTraveler
    1

    Arrival in Busan, South Korea

    April 15, 2025 in South Korea ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    We took a 6 hour ferry ride on the Camellia Line from Kukuoka, Japan to Busan, South Korea , arriving around 6:30 pm. I don’t think I have ever seen a larger port city. So many skyscrapers and so many containers being loaded and unloaded. It was a comfortable ride and a welcome transition from busy days.Read more

  • Sharon MillerCherry Blossom Tour S. KoreaTraveler
    11

    Busan City Tour

    April 16, 2025 in South Korea ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Today we had a full day tour which included four stops in Busan. It is city of 3.4 million, all of whom live in one skyscraper or another. Our first two destinations came about as a result of the Korean War in 1950. Gamcheon Village was a former refugee camp on a mountain and Huinnyeoul Village was a former refugee camp on the seaside. Each had its own special vibe and the locals don’t seem to be too bothered by the tourists. Our third stop was to board the Sky Capsule and travel through the Haundae Blueline Park. It was a picturesque 30 minute seaside ride and we enjoyed a very delicious lunch with fresh seafood when we got off. Many of the dishes were cooked right at our table. There was a skywalk next door to the restaurant so we readied our nerves and made the loop, nervously giggling most of the way around. Our last stop was another skywalk further down the coast and a chance to stroll through the adjoining daffodil garden. The Korean people have been most welcoming so far. We are seeing the last of the cherry blossoms but an abundance of other spring flowers. FYI- Le Petit Prince is a beloved story with Korean people as he symbolizes virtues such as optimism, humility and imagination and because children are the center of their preoccupation.Read more

  • Sharon MillerCherry Blossom Tour S. KoreaTraveler

    The Morning Fish Market

    April 17, 2025 in South Korea ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    I certainly saw things at the Jagalchi Fish Market in the Namposong District that I have never seen before. It was also a reminder of how hard some people have to work to make a living. We navigated our way there and back on the subway, which was very clean, efficient and quite inexpensive. There is a whole other city underground between stations.Read more

  • Sharon MillerCherry Blossom Tour S. KoreaTraveler

    A Rigorous Hike up Namsan Mtn.

    April 18, 2025 in South Korea ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    We completed a 6km loop on the sacred trails hike at UNESCO’s Namsan mountain where we came across many interesting rock carvings, tombs and statues. We practically had the trail to ourselves but anyone we came across was so helpful in pointing out the many hidden gems along the trail. There are still many beautiful cherry blossoms here in this area and along the trail.Read more

  • Sharon MillerCherry Blossom Tour S. KoreaTraveler

    Korean Style Dinner and Cherry Blossoms

    April 18, 2025 in South Korea ⋅ 🌙 22 °C

    The Cherry Blossoms are indeed still in full bloom here in Korea and the park was teaming with picnic goers. So lucky that they have bloomed throughout our entire trip. Tonight we treated ourselves to an authentic Korean dinner. Our main was delicious shredded duck and all the rest was what came with it! There were trays of various lettuces and seaweed and the trick was to put some meat, rice, and sauce and side dish on the lettuce and roll that up to eat. At least it was a change from struggling with chopsticks.Read more

  • Sharon MillerCherry Blossom Tour S. KoreaTraveler
    11

    Gyeongju City Tour - Morning

    April 19, 2025 in South Korea ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    We are on an all day tour today to see the historic and cultural highlights of this “Golden City”. Our first stop was the Tomb of King Muyeol, the 29th ruler of the Silla Kingdom. We next had a stroll through the magnificent Cheonmachong Park, home to 23 small and large ancient tombs. We were able to visit the inside of the Cheonmachong Tomb, which when excavated in 1973 unearthed many artifacts, such as the famous gold crown, gold cap, gold waist belt, gold diadem, and gilt-bronze shoes worn by the buried. It is estimated that the tomb was originally constructed between the 5th and 6th century. Korean people like to dress up and do photoshoots in this park. Gilles and I didn’t want to feel left out so we posed too. Our last stop before lunch was Bushwangsa Temple where the Stone Brick Pagoda is designated as a national treasure. It was believed that it was 9 stories high at one point but only the bottom 3 remain today due the many invasions of Korea.Read more

  • Sharon MillerCherry Blossom Tour S. KoreaTraveler

    Gyeongju City Tour - Afternoon

    April 19, 2025 in South Korea ⋅ 🌬 23 °C

    Our first afternoon stop was the Seokguram Grotto, constructed during the reign of King Gyeongdeok (742-765) of the Silla Kingdom. It was designed very harmoniously with the Seated Buddha facing the East Sea and is preserved and registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our last stop of the day was the Bulguksa Temple, a representative relic of Buddhist culture from the Silla Kingdom. It holds 7 national treasures and is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.Read more

  • Sharon MillerCherry Blossom Tour S. KoreaTraveler

    The Night Lights of Gyeongju

    April 19, 2025 in South Korea ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    After a full day tour we happily boarded the bus again to explore this historic open air museum of a city to experience the beauty of some of its landmarks by night. I even talked Gilles into crossing the river in the dark by using the stepping stones. We did cross back over by the beautiful bridge as well, to even things out.Read more

  • Sharon MillerCherry Blossom Tour S. KoreaTraveler

    Seoraksan National Park

    April 21, 2025 in South Korea ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    We put in a 7 hour day at the Seoraksan National Park today, hiking 16kms of trails, as well as visiting a Buddhist Temple, a large state of a seated Buddha, taking the cable car up the mountain and then hiking to the peak for some fantastic panoramas. Although we are somewhat “ templed out”, the beauty of this one really stood out.Read more

  • Sharon MillerCherry Blossom Tour S. KoreaTraveler
    1

    Morning Hike to The Falls

    April 21, 2025 in South Korea ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    We took the waterfall trail this morning passing by the Yukdam Falls and the Biryoong Falls before reaching the Towangeseong Falls Observatory. It was a glorious day weather wise and a great start to the day. I loved this hike because of all the bridges and stairs and rocky steps. I also love to hike beside the sound of rushing water. A 10/10 day in my books.Read more

  • Sharon MillerCherry Blossom Tour S. KoreaTraveler
    1

    Our Afternoon Hike to Bisondae Rock

    April 21, 2025 in South Korea ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Fueled by a hearty potato pancake lunch which we purchased hillside, we embarked on a few more trails which led to Bisondae Rock. To round out the day we took the cable car to get a 360 view and did a short hike to the summit. That hot shower and cold fresh smoothies were sure appreciated once we returned to our hotel. Though it wasn’t an easy walk in the park, it was just what we all craved and took full advantage of.Read more

  • Sharon MillerCherry Blossom Tour S. KoreaTraveler

    Arrival in Seoul

    April 22, 2025 in South Korea ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    It was a rainy day which worked out fine as we travelled to Seoul. The hotel concierge gave us a tip for a great local show so we went to see JUMP, a comic martial arts performance that showcased dazzling acrobats with remarkable comic timing. It was definitely today’s highlight!Read more

  • Sharon MillerCherry Blossom Tour S. KoreaTraveler

    Seoul City Tour-Part 1

    April 23, 2025 in South Korea ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Today we enjoyed a full day city tour of Seoul. We visited the Jogye Temple which is a head quarters for Zen Buddhism in Korea. There were many, many lanterns as Buddha’s Birthday is in May so they are preparing for a festival celebration. This temple is unique because it is not on the mountains and because the four guards at the entrance are made of stainless steel instead of wood. Our next stop was the Gyeongbok Palace where we were able to see the changing of the guards ceremony at 10:00am. This palace was erected during the reign of King Taejo, founder of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) which was the last kingdom in Korea. From there we walked to the National Folk Museum and saw a replica of a traditional wedding ceremony, baby’s 1st Birthday party, the new years commemoration to celebrate the ancestors , and an ornately decorated death Bier for transporting a dead body to the burial site. These traditions are for the most part gone now but not totally extinct.Read more

  • Sharon MillerCherry Blossom Tour S. KoreaTraveler

    Soeul City Tour-Part 2

    April 23, 2025 in South Korea ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    The worlds highest quality of Ginseng is grown in South Korea. It is a 6 year process. We visited a ginseng factory and sampled some of the products before heading to the Insa-Dong district, known for arts and crafts and shopping to enjoy a Korean lunch. Next we headed to Namsan Mountain, taking the cable car up to the top to enjoy some entertainment, and fabulous views of the north and south parts of the city. There were thousands of locks of love which adorned the fences here. Our last stop of the tour was a visit a traditional folk village where we saw the large vases where each November kimchi was stored and how a traditional home was equipped. After the tour we walked back through the market district and worked up an appetite for supper. So long Korea, and thanks for the wonderful memories. We will miss the cherry blossoms too.Read more

    Trip end
    April 24, 2025
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