apart from the main event, they had other stuff going on named aptly fringe event. i guess it ensured that more people came flocking to the festival but i wasn't able to enjoy every bit of it. also, maybe because i was a tad too short to peer over people's shoulders. still, they had a lot of things going on and it was a really good festival; there was a little bit for everyone, children, adults, families, couples, locals, foreigners and all. i must say, S.Korea does know how to put on a great festival.

here are some pics (or lots) to paint the picture.

whats a sand festival doing if it doesn't have ginormous sand sculptures?

they had lots of things going on at the same time. i went on the first day of the festival, so there was an opening ceremony and all that. first days are always the best to attend on any festival.

there was an air show, my very first air show and it was so so amazing! mind blowing! how can they be so in sync and symmetrical and synchronized? it was crazy.

they even drew a heart!

this was the fringe event i mentioned just now.

and within this fringe festival, there are other ongoing performances such as the one below. oh, and also a parade.

when the important people cut the ribbon during the opening ceremony, a robot flew out! it was really cool.

during the opening ceremony, First (a mixed idol group that i know nothing of) and No Brain performed!

and to end an awesome day, of course, like any festival - Sand Club yo! music and dance on the sand, by the sea. can it get any better? wait, just a tiny little problem; the music! why always electronic? i no get it. oh well, gotta take what i can get. haha.

oh! i can't possibly end this post without a picture of the people/friends i was with.

there was Henry, Nay, Rodrigo and a few others but this is the only picture i have with them. eek.

what can i say? i love Korean festivals, they have a way with it. they are always amazing!

- Joan C: 08.06.13

yup, i can now safely say that i've lived and breathed Busan because i went to a Lotte Giants baseball game. :D and the best part? Lotte Giants won!

warm up.

the crowd.

 

the bond over baseball.

the crowd was craaazy. it was an eye-opener. through dramas and variety shows, i know that baseball is a big thing in Korea and i think this is considered small scale because this one was held in Busan. but the people do not lose in spirit and cheers, they sing along to every cheer song and shout and support their players. it was awesome. i loved it and at the same time, so amused by it. oh, i was very confused too. haha. i knew the most basic of the game which was the home run thing but watching the game, i learned that there is much more to baseball than that. thankfully, my Korean friends helped out with the translations. ㅎㅎ

친구들~

and another proof that i have fully immersed in the Korean baseball culture; presenting the plastic bags!

Selca ^^

it was an experience of a lifetime. so grateful for my Korean friends and Henry (lol). i'm really glad to have made friends with them and to spend a day like this with them, immersing in an authentic Korean experience. 

it was 대박! 

on Saturday, i went hiking in Busan Children's Park (어린이대공원). i was reluctant at first but i'm glad i went. not only did i have a good time fellow-shipping with the church members but the park was really nice. 

 

again, this is what i like about Busan/S.Korea. they have all these parks and beaches and recreation places that are safe and free and people/children-friendly. it really encourages people to go out, enjoy the outdoors and spend real quality time with nature and loved ones. not only that, these places are all well-planned, well-kept and inviting. i think you can tell from the pictures below.

 these walkways are built for the people to walk into the park and if a tree is in the way, they just built around it. awesome right? plus, don't the trees look too orderly and lined up? if they did plant the trees in rows, then this park must have taken years of planning to happen. wow!

 this is actually a dam but i guess it functions as a lake as well. you find this after climbing up the trail. the fact that you find this in the middle of the city is pretty cool.

a children's park gotta have its playground right?

these are the church members i spent the day with.

i ended the day with a bowl of cold, refreshing and slightly strange-tasting (strange because it was kinda tasteless) black soybean noodles.

안녕!

- Joan C: 25.05.13

yesterday, i finally got myself to the Dadaepo Sunset Fountain of Dream! and along with me were Yan Yee, Henry and Victor. the musical fountain show was simply mesmerizing, magical and a must-go. 

it was definitely worth the one hour plus trip there for a 30 minutes show. it was so pretty and somehow, the fountain managed to interpret the feelings of the songs. 

they played a total of 5 songs and the fountain operates every day at 8pm and on weekends, they have two shows. you can even request songs to be played. 

good times. ^^

i'm gonna leave you with a short video i took of two songs; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw3MJZ8U4a4 (:

- Joan C: 24.05.13

 

during the public holiday over here, my Korean friend and I went to Songjeong beach (송정해수욕장).  i had a really great time, the kind where i can file into the 'wonderful memories in Korea' folder. the weather was just perfect to put on a dress and walk hand in hand for 8km along the Dalmaji Road to reach our destination. haha. although the truth was we took a wrong turn and ended up on the other side of the neighborhood. i'm glad for it though, it was a romantic walk. (⌒▽⌒)

the scenery was just beautiful, the sea on our right, the mountains on our left. the breeze was chilly enough to make walking under the sun not so terrible. the trees acted as shade, the air was clean and refreshing, and my company was just delightful. (－ｏ⌒) 

this was taken after a long long walk where it seemed like we will never reach and then, we saw this.

and the sea water was coooold~ the atmosphere was really lively on the beach. lots of uni students took the public holiday as an opportunity to have MTs (membership trainings) and lots of families were around, camping and playing with their children. there were a few couples around too, one of them who had to persuade and cajole her bf to take off his shoes and socks and enjoy the waves with her. 

the people were just doing all kinds of things; surfing, camping, some singing performances and just young and old people hanging out.

and these are some other sceneries.

stumbled upon this while exploring the small neighborhood around. i simply love the whole concept, white gate with unruly flowers growing all around and the alley it opens to. so pretty! i hope to have a house that would have this kind of gate one day. feels kinds magical, no?

it was definitely one of the best days i've had in Busan. that's one thing i like about Busan/S. Korea, its easy to get around and there are a lot of places like this where people can go to enjoy and unwind. i think, its a nice place for children to grow up in. :D was thinking about this on the way back from church today.

i remember the day as if it was yesterday, the sun barely there, the wind in my hair, the cold sea water and sand between my toes, all coming together to make a wonderful day. there is just something peaceful and happy when surrounded by beautiful views and good company.

this is it for now. goodbye and take care!

- Joan C: 17.05.13