HAPPY BIRTHDAY USA--KOREA?

July the 4th and we find ourselves in Busan Korea.  It is not a place I  have imagined but is quite wonderful.  This the second largest metropolis in South Korea after Seoul and is the 5th largest port in the world  It is a city of contrasts.  First we see the high rise apartment buildings--everyone prefers to live in one of these large apartment complexes.
            
Would you believe that everyone in Korea drives black, while, silver to tan cars.  It's not required but there is  quite a bit of peer pressure should you prefer a colorful automobile.

To show what a land of contrast we drove to the Tongdosa Temple.  This is an incredible Buddhist Temple where people come from miles to practice.  There are small temples scattered throughout the compound where prayers are offered to many different Buddhas for many different reasons, but the main area is scared because it contains remains of the actual Buddha.

                        

              
We also visited thee UN Cemetery.  A visit to Korea would not be complete without seeing the remains of the Korean war and understanding the impact then and now.

Finally we visited the Jagaichi Fish Market.  This is the third fish market since I arrived on this trip and different again.  I have never seen so many kinds of fish as it would appear that the Koreans eat everything that swims in the sea.  The market was plentiful and had us laughing as one octopus tried to escape but was put back into it the container.  

The afternoon we were left on our own to discover the city.  It is vibrant with market stalls crowding the byways and alleyways selling everything from used clothing to electronics to delicacies that you just sit down and enjoy.  Also, there are actual  street restaurants where  when the owner gets tired of cooking he just  zips his tent and leaves. 

Orion II is owned by an Australian company and most of the passengers onboard are Australian but that did not stop the crew from recognizing US Independence day.  Those of us from America were treated to a special dinner under the stars complete with a cake and sparklers.  There is a clear reason to decide to take an Orion Cruise--they think of everything.