From Russia with love

Day 25 - 15 July
Busan, Korea
Another beautiful morning as we entered into the port just after 6.00am.  Actually nice to see some clear skies for a change, as we are on the southeastern part of the Korean peninsula and further away from the smog of the Chinese mainland.  Breakfast on the balcony was very good,  before lineup for our tour at 7.30.  This time we went with Margit & Jim to (yet another) temple - although this one was unusual in that it was on the coast.  After the temple,  the APEC building, site of the 2005 leaders meeting (Helen was PM then) and then back to town for the markets. We elected to jump off the tour and make our own way back on the free shuttle.

Busan is quite different to Seoul and has a lot more traditional areas, but it is also the major port and has undergone massive development since the war.  A lot of really new infrastructure, including a magnificent bridge over the harbour, was evident.  The bridge was just 6 months old and at the same time a new International Passenger Cruise Ship Terminal was built more or less in the centre of town.   But ooops,  even our ship can not fit under the bridge! so we were berthed at the old terminal, adjacent to the military coast guard & Police.  Interesting to watch their training, including filling inflatables with fully fitted out police in riot gear, including shields.

But I digress.  The tour was great and it was good to see some coastline for a change.  The beaches looked good & golden but we didn't actually get to the beach!  I mentioned the big bridge before, we'll there is actually a spiral road to join up with the bridge proper and the bridge is totally curved.  Spectacular.  Another bridge we crossed is a double-decker,  which works very well.  After China, we felt that Busan was not as clean and well kept, but clearly the population are generally wealthy.

Our final stop in Busan was the fish market, which is the size of at least 2 rugby fields, with every kind of fish etc. imaginable.  They are all alive of course, so we saw crayfish trying to escape, as were squid & octopus.  We all wondered how long the fish were kept in the various tanks  as I can't imagine the whole lot would be sold in 1 day.  Next door was the "Aunt's Market", where the women sell the "dead" fish & seafood.  Not as big, but seemed to be doing a bigger trade.

Back on board we had a quick lunch at the International Cafe and back to the stateroom.  We were fortunate that the ship was berthed on the port side, so we had a great view of the comings and goings.  This is the only port so far to put on a concert for us.  There were traditional performers along with a singer, modern violinists & gogo dancers.  They went on for almost 2 hours, mainly because just as we were about to leave yet another ambulance turned up to evacuate yet another passenger. 

Day 26 - 16 July
What a difference a day makes.  It is cold.  The sky is grey with a slight swell as we progress up the Sea of Japan, with North Korea on our port side.  Unsurprisingly we had no TV channels working this morning, but they seem to have come back now.  Apart from loosing yet another hour overnight, I have (during the day) developed a runny nose, which I trust will not progress to anything else.  Having said that, there are many people on board who should not be in public with their coughing & sneezing.  The dreaded "ship cough"!

Day 27 - 17 July
Vladivostok
We were already berthed when we got up at 5.45.  It was a bit overcast and comparatively cold, probably 16 odd degrees.  We are berthed at the magnificent cruise terminal just opposite the railway station - which boasts the start (or end) of the Trans Siberian Railroad).  Clearly, cruise ships are a novelty as I was amazed how many people were out posing for photos with the ship in the background at 6.15 am.  We breakfasted on our balcony and enjoyed the short welcoming entertainment at 7.00.

While we were due to queue up for our tour at 7.30, we had to wait for our passports to be delivered after having been stamped by Russian immigration.  As a result we were all about 20 minutes late.  Immigration/Russian security still required to sight of stamped passports on leaving and re-entering the ship - no humour & no English!

To our delight, we had 2 young Russian girls in their early 20s as our guides and they spoke perfect English,  which was a relief after some of our other guides.  The tour was a half day city tour and gave us a good oversight.  Certainly not what I had expected and was surprised to hear that the Vladivostokienes had 2 to 3 cars per family.  Fortunately it was Sunday, so we did not see any congestion.  We did visit one Russian Orthodox church, which was full and found out that the Russian authorities were promoting religion, particularly amongst the young.  When we were then told that the Mass was a 3 hour affair and that there is no seating, I can understand. Other highlights were the museum, town square, panoramic views, yet another enormous new bridge & the tour through the WW2 submarine!

As the day progressed, the weather improved dramatically and by mid afternoon the temperature was in the high 20s.  Apparently just a couple of days before they had torrential rain & cyclone.  As well as our ship's passengers,  there were also 4,000 Chinese in town.  It is less than 2 hours from China and they come not only for holiday, but to buy gold!!  The end result for us was congestion at the main touristy centres.  After lunch we went back and wandered on our own, visiting the railway station,  which is a grand affair,  and the shopping mall - mainly clothes & cosmetics  (like NZ).  To enter any part of the railway station,  we had to pass through scanners and guards were stationed at the exits.  Of course Vladivostok is still a major military base and lots of soldiers & sailors about.

Once again we had a great send-off from the folk, who had lined up pretty well all day.  There were young, old, families, groups and individuals in their hundreds and we were surprised that they stayed even after the sun went down  (as we were an hour late in leaving).  The ship had entertained a large number of dignitaries and travel executives, presumably to promote the company.  They certainly seemed to be enjoying the free food etc.  Also all the "stereotypical" police/security women, were relishing the selfies in the luxury of the Atrium.  I must admit that had not been aware how many officials were on board until they all took their leave, with police etc forming a column of three and marching along the wharf. But apparently we left one crew member behind, which is why we were late leaving. 

If anyone is at all interested, my physical wellbeing has slightly improved, so fingers crossed.  An early night again is on order.

Day 28 - 18 July
Back to murky weather as we cross the Sea of Japan.  Quite cold outside, so I sent Vivian out to do my walk for me.  Well, I didn't think that it was worth risking freshening up anything, particularly with tomorrow being a port day.

Tonight is once again Formal Night, the last one before Tokyo, which is the end of the sector.  And of course after that port it is the end of Asia as we then have almost a week to reach Alaska.  But not yet, tomorrow is Hakodate, and surprisingly an even earlier start of 6.45am.  Yes, I am really going to enjoy those upcoming sea days.

Photos
Busan bridge
Coastal temple (2)
APEC building & view
The beach
Fish market
Escaping crayfish!
"Aunt's market"
Sail away from Busan

Orthodox church
Viewing platform
View from above
Submarine interior (with our guides)
Through the hatch!
Exterior
Railway station
Station from our stateroom
Patriotic sail away from Vladivostok