The Diamond Princess arrived in Busan at 7:30AM, and it was raining, so I took this photo from inside my cabin.
The rain later stopped.
We boarded the Regent Seven Seas Explorer, and if there is a Heaven, this certainly is one possible scenario. Check-in was flawless, and in consideration of all the visa and vaccination protocols, quick. Started with a champagne greeting
With a welcome champagne, this was our skyline view of Dubai. Note the Burj Khalifa, the tallest in the world.
But work has begun again for Saudi Arabia's Jeddah Tower, to be called Kingdom Tower, and at 3281 feet, will be 564 feet taller.
So, anyway, this is the same Regent 7 Seas Explorer next to us.
I looked down to the dock area, and it looked like compound for homeless, where you need to bring your own tent. Turned out this was a permit camping area, where electricity is provided, and restroom facilities are to the right. Why would anyone want to camp here? To be close to these monumental cruise ships.
As the weather was unpredictable, we decided not to go into town. So here are excerpts of what we did four years ago:
Busan has an elaborate jump on/off bus tour system that, in hindsight, should be good for three whole days of getting to know the city. There are museums, biological parks, aquaria, beaches, lookout sights, shopping complexes and other attractions worthy of closer look. We just stayed on three different buses all day, and, no details, but let me start with a welcome at Busan Station by my Blue-Bar (note the city provides housing for pigeons), their port area and Marine City:
Incidentally, we were in Seoul and had caught their bullet train to Busan. So if in the future you want some added excitement, this is a good way to travel between these two largest cities in South Korea. Here was the meal on the train. The trip took 2 hours and 47 minutes for just about 200 miles. Note that green bottle of soju you see in Korean films and series.
Busan has a population of 3.4 million, and was once know as Pusan, then Fuzan under Japanese rule.
- You would think that the enmity between Japan and South Korea was caused during the more recent period around World War II when Japan occupied Korea.
Not really, for Japan first invaded Korea in 1592, so there has been a long and unhappy past.- The modern Japanese began in 1876 after the Meiji Restoration, when Josean was opened, a priod which included the assassination of the Korean Qeeen.
When Japan defeated China in the mid 1890's, Joseon (Chosen, or new name for Korea) became nominally independent as the Korean Empire. But after Japan defeated Russia in the 1904-1905 Russo-Japanese War, Korea was again then totally absorbed and made a protectorate of Japan, then in 1910 colonized.
- The process of Japanization began, where Korean names and their language were banned.
- Japan did build up the infrastructure, but with Korean workers treated like slaves.
- Much of the agricultural output was sent to Japan, leaving Korea in the brink of starvation.
- From 1939 into World War II, Korean men were conscripted to fight the war with Japanese troops. But more so, females 12-17 were forced into sexual slavery. These comfort women more than anything else are the source of the most grief.
After World War II in 1945, there were no functional diplomatic relations between the two countries until 1964.- The matter of Japanese colonization is controversial, and at the heart of difficulties between the two countries today.
- Read details in Wikipedia.
But more specific to Busan, the name means cauldron mountain, and more specifically, Hwangnyeongsan Mountain,
- In 1876, Busan became Korea's first international port. It is the largest in the country, and 5th in the world.
- Why? Because most of the industries are in this region.
Busan and Daegu were the only two cities not captured by the North in the 1950 Korean War, which began on 25June1950.- The end of WWII resulted in Korea being divided at the 38th parallel.
- Two months later, the North had rolled south to the Pusan Perimeter.
- Then in September of 1950 General Douglas MacArthurs surprised everyone by landing at Incheon, turning the tide of the war.
By October of 1950 UN forces reached north to the Yalu River.- This activated the Chinese forces, and they captured Seoul in January of 1951.
- But the UN soon pushed them up to the 38th parallel.
- At peak strength there were 1.45 million troops from China, 602,902 from South Korea, 326,863 from the USA and 266,600 from North Korea. Both sides each had close to 1.75 million total combat troops.
- Nothing much then changed until fighting stopped on 27July1953.
- No peace treaty has yet been signed.
- 3 million people died, with atrocities from both sides, including tens of thousands massacred by South Korea on suspicion of being communists. 1.5 million North Koreans nevertheless ended up in the South. 36,635 Americans died.
Busan is 200 miles from Seoul, but only 112 miles away from Fukuoka, Japan. They are sister cities. In fact, Busan must have more sister/friendship cities than anyplace I know, with 38, including Los Angeles, Istanbul, Dubai, Barcelona, Chicago Rio, Vladivostok, Mumbai, Auckland, Tijuana, Montreal, Osaka, Bangkok, Beijing, Nagasaki and Panama City.
- Busan also has six sister ports: Southampton, Miami, Osaka, Rotterdam, New York and Shanghai.
- The city is competing against Rome and Riyadh for the 2030 World Expo. A decision will be made this month.
- My guess is that Busan will not be selected because the organizing agency likes to spread these around, and the 2025 World's Fair will be held in Osaka, opening on April 13 and closing on October 13. This will be the third time Osaka will host this event. 28 million visitors are expected. Make your hotel reservations now. I've been at least a dozen of them.
Walked 2762 steps.
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