You have to hand it to the Koreans. Their road infrastructure is impressive. The entire place is very mountainous, with a great costal area made up of several small islands.

This means lots of tunnels through mountains and bridges over waterways. The scale of some of them is immense! I’d prefer it if you were allowed to ride a bike over them though! Most of them are ok, but the expressway bridges are no bikes.

I know this because I blundered onto one earlier. (It’s to late by the time you realise). The staff at the toll booth looked completely stunned, like a Marian had pulled up in a space ship! They were pretty good though, opening barriers for me to turn around.

I ended up taking the longer but much more scenic route, so no problems really!

Aren and Steven giving their full attention to mapping some good roads for me. In the background is the long suffering Tara, who has no doubt seen it all before – blokes arguing over which way to go! But please do as they ask and learn to ride, you won’t regret it Tara.

After being overloaded with road numbers and place names, the thought occurred that these guys would be tacking me the next day. I’d better pay attention and at least make some effort to head in the right general direction!

On that subject, I’m finding navigation a bit of a nightmare. I always manage to end up in the right place, generally by describing a large spiral with the destination being at the centre!

Thankfully after many U-turns I’m more comfortable with the actual riding. Like Aren said, “it’s like the Wild West”. I didn’t think about it at the time, but we’re actually in the far East – and he’s giving me directions!!

Great to meet you guys, thanks for looking after me.

I met up with the notorious Wondering Waygooks bike gang last night, I had dinner with their President and Sargent at Arms. These guys are petty hardcore, responsible for the murder of several curries and the suspected disappearance of many beers!

In fact there’s just the two of them, but what jolly nice chaps they are! Aren and Steven spent a long time giving me detailed directions to all the best roads in Korea. Aren also showed me the Korean equivalent to Google maps, with a street view which isn’t available on GM.

I caught up with them after spotting Aren and Tara’s blog, which I’ll put in the links page after I’ve’ve asked.

Ok, done. You can find them at http://www.directionswego.com

When this old world starts getting me down…. Etc.

Just before I picked up the bike I decided I’d check out the rooftop of the local department store. There’s a coffee shop, zoo (yes, really!) & a viewing deck where you can see the sea and the hills. I’m glad I did.

What a marvellous place to chill out, with authentic New York cheesecake and hot coffee. (Not iced!). It was just what I needed before tackling the dreaded customs people – who actually turned out to be very helpful!

I took this panorama looking towards the hills. Pollution makes the viewing a bit hazy, but it’s still very nice. See if you can spot the toilets. Great signage!

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.
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