Day 82 – March 27 – Busan, Republic of South Korea
Photos
Dock area at Busan, Korea
Panorama of dock area at Busan, Korea
On the bus for our excursion outside Busan
Bridge close to the area where MSC Magnifica docked
Traveling over the bridge with Magnifica in view
Location of the Bulguksa Temple North of Busan
Walking to the entrance to the Bulguksa Temple
Guide to the temple area
Selfie as we enter the temple area
Walking uphill to the temple area
Large bell area outside the temple walls
Outside face of the temple
Closer view of temple face
Intricate woodwork below temple roof
Lanterns with prayer requests attached
Lanterns with prayer requests
Flowers adorn the hanging lantern frames
Flowers with the lanterns and prayer requests
Selfie with magnolia trees in bloom outside the temple
Painting on the underside of a building roof
View of the building housing the Buddha
Buddha with worshipers
Selfie with more lanterns in background
Don’t remember why this fish is important but it does have interesting painting
Animal head at a corner of a building
Another animal head at the corner of a building
Video of painting and woodwork under the roof of a temple building
Lanterns with prayers attached
Our guide – Nana – with her guide doll – Nano
Arriving at the Gyeongju area with burial mounds visible
Map of burial area – we entered by the number “7” on the map
Nana giving us information about the burial site
Pointing to the location of the burial mound we can enter
Walking to the burial mound at the background on the right
A double burial mound
Waiting in line to enter the burial mound
Information about the discovery of the mound contents
Inside the Cheonmachong Tomb where the remains were laid with treasures
Gold crown and ornaments
Other gold pieces
Gold slippers (you might want socks for these)
A view of the burial area showing the stones above
Another view of gold ornaments discovered in the tomb
Gold harness pieces
Full crown, ornaments, sword and shoes
Butterfly-type gold diadem ornament
Kelsey and Jan exiting the tomb
Viewed tomb at left – double tomb in background
Video panorama of area around and including the Cheonmachong Tomb
Selfie next to the Cheonmachong Tomb
Kelsey and Jan under one of the flowering magnolia trees
Selfie with magnolia blossoms
Pretty flowering magnolia tree
A bee checking for pollen (right and below center)
Same bee taking a closer look
Selfie with forsythia bushes, magnolia tree and tombs
Greeting as we left the tomb area
Greeting stitched into the seats of the bus
Location of our lunch of Korean food
Table for 4 as we entered the restaurant
First items I chose – the kimchi (left below the bean sprouts) was great!
Beef with rice noodles and leeks was added to what was on the table when we arrived
Our tour group eating lunch
People can purchase fortunes then tie them to the strings above and below the dispensers
Flowers are out in Korea – wish we could see them at home
More detailed painting on the underside of roofs
Locals dressed in traditional clothes
The motorized vehicle at the front of a train of wagons pulling people around the tomb areas – this one made to look like an insect
Video panorama showing more tombs in the area
Marker explaining discoveries in the Gyeongju area.
Gold ornaments and effects found in the area
Still image from video chronicling discoveries at Gyeongju
Crown and ornaments found in Gyeongju area
Jan would look good with this jewelry, but I imagine the insurance would be too expensive!
Gold ornament found at Gyeongju
Gold ornament found at Gyeongju
Gold bracelet found at Gyeongju
Gold earrings found at Gyeongju
Selfie by ceremonial bell
Bell makes loud low sound when struck with the log
You can never be too careful at a museum
Kelsey walking to the parking lot at the National Museum which housed the Gyeongju items in previous photos
Waiting for the other passengers to return so we can get back to the ship
They have gold in Busan like the range in North Liberty
This is a message I received on my phone – according to Nana it has to do with dry weather and safety for breathing and fire
Here is another golf facility
Unusual trees along the highway back to Busan
Lots of tall housing units in Busan (pop 3.3 million)
Korean entertainers at the dock next to Magnifica
Video of entertainers on the dock next to Magnifica
More entertainers providing a show as we prepare to depart
Campers on the dock who rent places to stay for the weekend (or during the week)
Sunset as we leave Busan on our way to Shanghai, China
Christian and his virtual band perform songs from some of the great guitarists
Christian and his virtual band perform songs from some of the great guitarists
Christian and his virtual band perform songs from some of the great guitarists
Dire Straits – Sultans of Swing
Eagles – Hotel California
Prince – Purple Rain
Van Halen – Jump