An early morning high speed train ride out of Seoul took me to Busan, South Korea’s second city on the southern coast. Staying five minutes from Haeundae beach was the perfect contrast to Seoul and getting in some beach time made me truly feel the holiday vibes – something about living in a perpetually grey city has intrinsically linked “beach” and “holiday” in my brain. Haeundae has sun, sea and sand but, being in Korea, is still a twist on the traditional beach experience.

Not many guide books have been written on Busan but this blog provided lots of great ideas of what to do and a good guide to Busan’s food scene.

A costal wander to this little lighthouse. Sadly I didn’t make it to the baby bottle lighthouse or baseball lighthouse which are dotted further down the coast but there was plenty to see in Haeundae itself.

The Haeundae Buskers Festival just happened to coincide with my visit. If you’ve not seen Korean hip hop you’re missing out. Eating street food, watching free live music and hearing the ocean waves makes for a good (and very cheap) Saturday night. 

Haeundae has a famous food street selling a range of affordable snacks. When you have been a pescaratian for four months a great way to re-introduce chicken to your diet is with a paper cup of KFC (Korean Friend Chicken) costing all of fifty pence. There is also tempura, Chinese buns, hot dogs on sticks and…black eggs for the more adventurous. Prices are not always in English but nothing was more than £1 and with some pointing and lots of hopeful smiling something tasty can be purchased. 

An early morning beachside run as the sun came up. Absorbing every bit of the light reflecting off the sea for the dark days ahead. While trying not to trip over the tiny dogs running beside me.  Koreans are so healthy and whenever I ventured out for early runs I felt like I was accompanied by half the town doing their morning work-outs.

Haedong Yonggung Temple is a short bus ride from Haeundae – just get off the bus when everyone else does and walk up the hill to be greeted by stalls selling street food and souvenirs. The temple is beautiful and the setting is pretty amazing. I threw all my change into the wishing well so maybe good things are coming my way.

Sunbathing is not really the done thing in Korea but I couldn’t resist a couple of hours of paddling and basking in the sun (slathered in factor 50, of course). I also can’t resit holiday smugness and an Instgram filter tan. 

Of all the places in the world to have the largest department store… Shinsegae is an experience. I spent a good few hours exploring – highlights include the rooftop park with amazing views over the city, the indoor ice-rink, cinema complex, spa and the food hall selling anything you could possible want. Aside from dinner I don’t think I actually bought anything – it’s all a bit overwhelming!