When I woke up, I saw that the sun was shining, a change from the previous days of clouds and rain. I decided to walk on the beach before breakfast. I put on my shorts and sandals and walked to the beach across from the hotel. I hiked for about an hour, wading in the water of the Yellow Sea. I watched some young people surfing. It was a glorious morning.
After breakfast we went to another Buddhist temple not far from the hotel - Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. This temple was located on the scenic shores of the Yellow Sea. Our guide commented that this was very unusual as temples are typically located in the mountains. We spent about an hour walking around this serene place of prayer. It was nice to see that it was more a place of prayer than it was a tourist site.
After our visit to the temple we were taken for lunch to the Outback Restaurant for American food. From the restaurant we boarded the bus to go visit the Korean Science Academy - a special science high school for gifted students. As the bus left the restaurant, I realized I had left my backpack at the table. I had my passport, credit cards, cash - EVERYTHING. I had to go back. The bus would not turn around, so I got off and walked back. Luckily, our room had not been cleaned yet. My pack was sitting untouched exactly where I left it. I grabbed it and walked back to the hotel where I got help finding the address of the Science Academy and then took a cab to the school. I arrived about 20 minutes after my group had arrived. Not bad!
The school was incredible. It partners with Northside College Prep in Chicago, so the students are of that calibre. We visited many different labs and spoke with students.
From the Korean Science Academy we went to the Busan Science Institute. This is like a cross between the Chicago Children's Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry. There are many interactive exhibits for students and teachers are also able to come for training in science education.
We went to the wharf to visit the Fish Market. This was an impressive expanse of fish vendors located inside a new market building. Being late in the afternoon, what we saw was mostly live fish in aquariums or in buckets. I would imagine that in the morning there are gutted fish out for display and sale. In front of the market people sat eating plates of raw fish and bottles of soju. I was tempted to try it, but our guide advised against it.
We went for dinner at a special chicken restaurant walking distance from the Fish Market. We were served chicken soup. Each of us received a cauldron of boiling soup with a whole cornish hen in it. The soup was delicious!
We returned to the hotel and a group of us went up to the 22nd floor lounge for drinks before calling it a night.
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