Next Stop... South Korea: Seoul - Busan!

Seoul had kicked my arse, I needed to find some energy from somewhere because I had Busan on my radar! I wanted to take the train from Seoul Station to Busan Station with Korail aboard one of their KTX services. Needless to say, I appreciated the flexibility I had changing tickets because things got crazy in Busan! A ticketless journey? South Korea, I do think! Sorry Daegu!

Like, I had already woken up to the other side of Itaewon, within regards to the state those late night/early morning revellers got into! I was able to see the perils of taking public transport after a heavy night as I waited for the first subway of the morning at Itaewon Station, these train journeys in South Korea were about to give me serious perspective from both sides of a hangover. Real talk, I was not ready! Getting to Seoul Station before sunrise, I was able to see a very quiet station front, this South Korean rail hub was serving glass and modernity! I was feeling dog tired after a broken nights sleep in my hostel doom, I needed sustenance and a caffeine injection! McDonald's caught me by surprise, ordering the pancake breakfast didn't shock me, the real porcelain mug impressed me in the best way! A part of me wanted to swipe it and put it in my bag! Not wanting to commit theft, I returned my tray to the bins with the mug in tow. OK, Seoul Station had impressed me, sure I already had high hopes for Busan Station! 

Seoul Station did not play any games, the signage was clear and the departures area was spotlessly clean! I was impressed by the brightly lit concourse area, the ticket windows and machines did not have any lines even thought it was early in the morning. I approached a member of staff to check if my online Korail ticket would be sufficient, he told me in English that I wouldn't need to show any ticket because my reservation had been confirmed. For me it was another 'WOW' moment because foreign tourists were present and for me in my Chinese city of Ningbo, I don't see any foreign tourists! Time passed by, it was almost time for my KTX train to take me to Busan, no delays occurred that morning, I was doubly impressed. At the last moment my platform was called, I had even asked one of the information attendants. She told me in English that my train would be called on-time with the relevant platform information present. She didn't tell any lies because that happened just in the nick of time! Seoul, let's get gone! Go!

It's no secret that China's High Speed Rail has me moving quickly and comfortably for a relatively low price, I wanted to see what South Korea's equivalent would deliver! Pulling into the platform at Seoul Station was my Busan Station bound train, I loved the look of that grey and blue KTX train, truthfully those China Fuxing trains look much sleeker but that's just talk and talk is cheap! It was easy enough to find my seat on the train, I was able to get comfortable quickly. Departing on-time, it didn't take long before the city was no more, catch those high speed views of the Korean countryside reminded me of the coach journey from Pyongyang to Kaesong in the DPRK. I was glad that I had already had breakfast because no dining car was present on that KTX service, word on the track is that Korail wants to keep their prices down an increase capacity by not having dining cars present. The vending machine wasn't working for me because my Chinese debit card didn't get along with the chip and pin feature. Food for thought? 

Cut to my Busan Station arrival, I was impressed by that modern presenting train station. Giving off the same energy that Seoul Station did, I loved the seamless transfer from train to underground system. My first Korail experience aboard that KTX service from SEL to BUS was fine, no complaints even though I couldn't find any dining car. It did make me appreciate my usual QR scan on those Chinese trains because a beverage of an alcohol kind should be mandatory service in my book! My plan would be to spend the next day and half in the city of Busan, I had intentions to take the train from Busan Station to Daegu Station but you already know that South Korea had provided eventful situations during previous trips. Honestly, being on the right side of time, those Korean tracks and trains allowed me to reach Busan Station from Seoul Station in less than three hours. The ticket prices were competitive, nothing in the United Kingdom because those return fares did not impact my travel spending amount. Let me tell you! 

Busan got very boozy, I had found a cracking little Gay bar in '범일/Beomil' that served a seriously strong tasting Long Island Iced Tea. I knew after the first few sips that my unscripted day in Daegu for the next day wasn't going to happen. I consulted by go-to travel application where I had booked my original Korail tickets. I was able to book a later train directly back to Seoul because I wasn't going to tolerate a stinking hangover in a city that I had half planned to spend the day in with only a station locker to keep my suitcase. I made the best choice, securing tickets for a 2:30 P.M departure the following afternoon to Seoul that would still pass through Daegu. Now, I know that those drinks were worth it because not visiting Daegu has opened up the need for a fourth visit to South Korea. Their were no mistakes made, I'll get to Daegu in the near future by a KTX train and the prospect of a hangover will always be certain because you know I love a good drink! Busan was everything, I was thankful the tickets didn't change price! 

Nursing a life changing critical hangover, I already knew it would wise to purchase some food for that Seoul Station bound train. I made the most of those South Korean convenience stores because I could! Snatching some chocolate bread-sticks, crisps, a chocolate bar, and a triangle Kimchi Gimbap! Yes, that bottle of orange completed the meal! I was critical, the hangover had me questioning life, I had to ask three people if the train at the correct platform would be bound for Seoul Station. I got caught out sitting in the wrong seat because my original seat didn't have a power outlet, I moved back to my intended seat without fuss. Things in South Korea are peaceful but if you play or watch anything on a mobile phone without earphones/earbuds, well you'll get dragged for it! I fell victim to that crime because in China it is perfectly acceptable to leave your earphones/earbuds at home or in your bag. I needed my bed, I needed that train to reach Seoul Station with the quickness! Yes, I saw more foreign tourists at Busan Station! KTX, 감사합니다! 

Daegu, I'm A Mess! 

Desperately Seeking Adventure