Back to Busan, Korea for the second time.  This time it was a full day, but we didn’t do any ship excursions, just wandered in town ourselves.  Most of the city area with shopping is very clean.  They clean the cracks in the pavement in some areas!  Street traders add to the clutter in other tourist places, but vendors not pushy at all.  You feel comfortable browsing, and while we looked, we were not in the market for lots of shoes and socks – could buy some socks for 50c a pair.  (bought a pair of red ones for onboard scavenger hunt!).  The city really puts on a show for the cruise ships.  There is a stage in front of where ship docks and locals put on song and dance acts on arrival and departure.  A truck comes and opens up sides, drops steps and there is the post office and money exchange.

Vladivostok was next port of call. This has only been opened up to public since 1992, so is still very much in throes of building and trying to develop a tourist trade.  City is certainly more of a frontier type town than other places.  Wharf is almost third world – rough surface, narrow and not very inspiring.  Terminal building is modern with shopping facilities.  We attended a children’s performance which was in a theatre at an Arts School (very well equipped), and then went on a home visit.  Interesting!  Two bedroom apartment up three flights on a dingy poorly maintained staircase.  Olga was very welcoming and had prepared some tasty food to sample, including as much vodka as you wanted to drink.  I declined the vodka but think the berry alternative was just as strong!

Had student guides with excellent English.  Wish Australians were more open to having that second (or third) language. 

Weather is staring to turn a little chillier and today at sea, we needed coats to play shuffleboard.  Bit put out in this sector of cruise as the Japanese hog the table tennis tables!!!