I had the most awesome experience with the South Korean customs and import today. I met Mr. Kim outside the international ferry terminal and was escorted to customs. They showed me my crate and asked if it was mine. Yup.

All of the paperwork was pre-done, I just had to sign a few documents. They asked me to wait, which I expected. After 20 mins I decided I’d help them open the crate. They seemed impressed that I had a detailed list of everything packed in the crate. They asked about drugs and I signed for their absence.

I paid the fees and then set about assembling the bike. Not that easy but there was quite a crowd to assist. By sign language I managed to get everyone in place for a lift, so I could fit the front wheel. Then I set to connecting the battery, checking the tyres, lights, brakes and generally packing everything.

There was a little difficulty in starting, old fuel, but the old girl eventually coughed into life. I was issued important paperwork for insurance purposes and the export at the ferry terminal. In exactly 2 hours I was back at the hotel to repack ready for the off tomorrow!

I’m very pleased!

This is the Удача bar, where I met Sasha and Alex. One thing I found quite refreshing was the fact that these guys didn’t think my trip was dangerous. Most of the Russians I’ve met so far have been horrified at my plan, convinced I will be robbed or murdered etc.. (Though it has to be said none of these people actually live in Russia!).

They’re obviously regulars and friendly with the lady who works there. We were looked after and I ended up helping her 9 year old daughter Jessica with some English practice. Bright as a button and speaking English, Russian and Korean – a very impressive young lady!

It would be tempting to hang out there tomorrow night too. But I won’t. Sure it’s easier to talk to people and get a taste of Russia, but I’ll get the real deal soon enough. I also want to find out more about Korea, the culture and people while I’m here. I can do that much better once I have my bike, and with any luck…..

That’s tomorrow!!

Walking around Busan and the Chinese quarter, I happened on the Russian quarter. I realised I could make more sense of the menus there, because they’re in cryllic. I thought I’d try out my Russian so I checked out the Удача bar.

I met a couple of likely lads, Alex and Sasha. Both were crab fishermen on their last night out before going back to sea for a month. We managed to talk about a few things, which was a relief. I’m now much more confident I’ll get by in Russian.

But before you get too impressed, I’m brutally aware now of how much Russian I don’t understand too!

True to form on what I’ve been told about Russian hospitality, they insisted on paying for everything. Dinner and beers. Спасиба!

Walking through the streets last night I saw loads of Americans wandering round. I thought it was a bit strange until I clocked the banner across one of the streets. Apparently there’s a U.S. Navy ship at the military base this week.

Great, this is all I need. Lots of loud, obnoxious Americans on tour. Not to mention drunken sailors. All getting a bad name for tourists, and I even look like one of them!! The tourist police presence in the city simply confirmed my fears.

However, I have to say that all of the people I saw were very well behaved. Keeping to groups of 3 or less, quietly looking around and generally being polite. Forget all your American stereotypes, the crew of the USS George Washington is a credit to the US Navy.

Well done chaps!

My ship has come in! I’ve just realised that at many stages in my life I’ve used that term, but only on this occasion has there actually been a real ship involved! Funny how expressions go isn’t it?

OCEAN VESSEL : HD UNITY 054E

Arrived on the 11th July and was unloaded the following day. (Today). With tomorrow being a Sunday it means I can’t clear customs until Monday at the earliest. This means I’m stuck doing the tourist thing until then.

Museums, parks, temples, shopping etc.. It’s a disaster!!

Sophie
Latitude:35.10513
Longitude:129.03928
GPS location Date/Time:07/11/2014 20:30:55 PDT

Message:Random place of interest along my route….

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/Hxwly/35.10513N/129.03928E

If the above link does not work, try this link:

Sophie

You have received this message because Sophie has added you to their SPOT contact list.

Ready for Adventure
FindMeSPOT.com

After a fairly uneventful flight and taxi ride, I found my hotel in Busan. This morning was a write off due to jet lag, but I managed to get a long walk in to get my bearings this afternoon.

Aside from the usual consumerist mega malls, the back streets were littered with small shops. They were selling interesting but unidentifiable goods, which unfortunately I was unable to enquire about due to my poor Korean.

One of the highlights was this little beauty! I’m not into bicycles or scooters, but isn’t this just as cute as a button?? From the white wall tyres to the tiny chrome tank, I love it! Other 2 wheeled machines are quite rare for a city this size. Mostly ratty scooters, in fact I haven’t seen a “real” bike yet.

After a short break to see friends and family, all to quickly it seems I’m traveling again. While the bike was at sea I went home for a fantastic few weeks. It was so good to see everyone.

As I sat on the long haul flight with Air China, I finished a book my dad gave me. This came from a friend Pat and it’s now being recycled via Beijing airport. It was the memoirs of a national service pilot in the 1950s.

It was an interesting read for me especially, as all I ever wanted to do was fly for the air force. Of particular note however was the opening passage:

” This is not precisely how it was, but it’s how I like to remember it ”

I started to look for a cheap hotel for my first night in Korea. They seem cheap enough with plenty of choice, so I looked for somewhere close to the airport. I noticed that the airport name in Busan didn’t match the one on my ticket. Maybe it’s like many other cities and has two airports?

I did some further investigation. I have a ticket to BUS (Batumi), which I assumed to be Busan. Unfortunately, the airport code for Busan is PUS. I actually had a ticket to Georgia, which would be a long walk to any hotel in Korea!!! Lucky I checked or I’d really have a problem when I arrived!

I contacted the flight centre where I made the booking. I expected to get told the tickets were non-transferable and I should have checked them carefully etc.. I was pleasantly surprised when they pulled out all the stops to sort it out. I now have a ticket to PUS, and a refund is being arranged for the incorrect ticket I purchased.

The manager has obviously done her customer care course. Thank you Melissa.