11. Busan South Korea

The Diamond Princess slipped quietly into Busan before most of the city had stirred. By the time we made it to the upper decks, she was already berthed — another smooth arrival to start the day.

After breakfast we jumped on the shuttle bus into the city centre, ready to explore South Korea’s second-largest city. First stop was the sprawling Jagalchi Fish Market (often called Sindonga Market by locals). The sheer scale of it was staggering. Tank after tank brimmed with every imaginable creature from the sea — fish of all shapes and colours, wriggling octopus, enormous crabs, shellfish piled high.

 It wasn’t just a market; it was a theatre of seafood. Upstairs and along the aisles, small stalls invited you to sit down and sample the day’s catch. The smells, the chatter, the clatter of knives on chopping boards — it was gloriously chaotic.

From there we wandered into the bright, buzzing lanes of BIFF Square, famous for its connection to the Busan International Film Festival. Street food stalls lined the pavements, neon signs flashed overhead, and the whole area had an infectious energy.

A short walk brought us to Gukje Market, and if you can’t find it here, it probably doesn’t exist. Clothes, electronics, kitchenware, souvenirs — stall after stall packed with goods, vendors calling out deals, shoppers weaving through the narrow lanes. It felt wonderfully authentic and alive.

We paused for a quieter moment at Daegaksa Temple, one of the first Japanese Buddhist temples built following the 1876 Japan–Korea Treaty. Tucked away amid the urban bustle, it offered a peaceful contrast to the markets — ornate details, soft incense in the air, and a calm that invited reflection.

Then came the climb — thankfully via a series of escalators — up to Yongdusan Park. The first thing that commands your attention is the imposing statue of Yi Sun-sin, the legendary naval hero celebrated for defending Korea against Japanese invasions in the 16th century. Standing before it, you can feel how deeply respected he remains.

Nearby, we stumbled upon a colourful local performance — vibrant costumes, rhythmic music, and plenty of enthusiastic applause from the crowd. It added yet another layer of culture to an already full day.

Of course, no visit here is complete without heading up Busan Tower. In moments we were whisked 120 metres above ground. The 360-degree views were breathtaking — mountains on one side, the vast port on the other, and a forest of skyscrapers stretching endlessly towards the horizon.

Before heading back, we found a traditional rooftop café where local families were enjoying relaxed Sunday meals together. We kept it simple with a cold Terra beer, content to soak up the atmosphere and admire the beautifully presented dishes arriving at neighbouring tables.

Back aboard the Diamond Princess, we watched Busan’s skyline shimmer in the late afternoon light. The sheer number of high-rise buildings seemed to stretch as far as the eye could see — a striking blend of modern ambition and deep-rooted history.

Busan had delivered energy, culture, history and food in abundance — and we’d only scratched the surface.