California soul, Miami heat, Tokyo streets, a San Diego vibe and a Seoul retreat, Busan has it all. So take a train from the South's capital like the most inventive zombie horror concept in an undead amount of them and take a trip to one of the most inspired cities like its influential neighbour. Busan is traditional and electric...not to mention eclectic as it has so much to offer, from temples to shopping malls and culture on every corner. Busan is busy, but Busan is bountiful.
Seomyeon's soul has miles of magnificent malls for your shopping wish list. So much so you may have to bring your scissors along with your credit card. There's also a place for coffee and to eat on every corner. From Western hot dogs and pizza, to more traditional cuisine if fast food isn't your bag. But you can't go to Korea without completing your trip with some Korean BBQ...say's this writer who tried some for the first time a day later...in Japan. Anyway your stomachs and pant sizes are covered and if the neon glare doesn't knock you out after keeping you awake for hours perhaps it's time to calm down like a Taylor Swift hit. This place can get too loud, but that's just its attitude...which isn't a problem. And with the traditional temples and places of worship you'd be hard pressed to find a place that brings you more peace in this massive mecca of a metropolis.
But still some tourist advice if you do want to get away from it all take a walk in the Citizens Park for one of the rare but relaxing green spaces in this concrete jungle. Dreams are made of this. Cicada quiet, subtle surroundings, fabulous fountains and a youthful feel, this new development is instant vintage. You could lose your day and all your troubles here. And if you forgot your paperback for the park bench then have no fear there's a book café here. Ideal for your next coffee date...even if you are yet to meet him or her...yet!
Sand between your toes however it doesn't get much better than by the beach. And by this seaside town city there are more beach spaces than a Lana Del Rey song or the home of the Marina Del Rey. But the most Hollywood famous is the Haeundae Beach and miles for this eyes to take in can see why. This beach has waves of surf, sun, street performers, boardwalks that pilgrim lead you to a view of where T'Challa rode the top of a henchman's car, a lighthouse to show you the way beyond a sculpted splash of a mermaid and even a conscience. As only yesterday two artists were making a point by crafting a giant fish out of plastic they probably recovered from the same sea lapping at their feet. And just out of reach if you want to get really friendly in this environment and visit some places for coffee rather than your usual Starbucks on every corner (speaking of mermaids) why not take a detour around the Harajuku independent like streets nearby (that is however after blasting the sand off your feet with a genius air gun. The days of wet shoes and socks are gone. They really do everything better over here)?
Some of these streets from SpongeBob to a NASA astronaut light take normal mundane settings and transform them into some creative art inspirations. Our favourite has to be the Spider-Man converted hanging washing line. Just round the corner houses our favourite coffee shop that's white walls and abstract picture frames make this look like an art gallery...even if one of them is of Homer...Simpson not Ulysses, draped in donuts. This sweet spot is called Platform Nine. Take a train here...just make sure you don't run into the side of it. Order three quarters of a shot in your coffee though...just for fun, and so you're not so wired in this neon buzz of a hub.
Now that's just a couple of days. Just wait until the evening. This city comes alive at nighttime and that life is amazing. When worldwide K-Pop juggernauts BTS' (who really make 'Gangnam Style' look like a one hit wonder) big hit 'Spring Day' came on in a thrift shop the whole mood of the store lifted like what these global pioneers have done for their genres brand and the 'Love Yourself' positive movement by the Army (yeah I Stan). Salute! If you can still get up the next day, don't pass out or up on all this part Hong Kong/part Osaka cityscape has to offer. Peaks and valleys of coloured houses that make these rolling hills look like an artist's palette. What seems like a million parasols by the beach in red and white hypnotic unison, but still enough sand space for you and your family to build your castle. An electric bill bigger then when your youngest comes home from university. And all those Tokyo rivalling temples that tell you before the future what paved the way was the traditions this town is still steeped in. Steeper than the accomodation locations...but hopefully not the prices. Time to book that train to Busan. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
