Day 10 of K-Adventure: Almost Goodbye – Busan’s Sunsets & Final Full-Day Feels
- wanderingazuki
- Sep 9
- 9 min read
Updated: Sep 10
Table of Content
🌺 Introduction 🫘
"Every sunset is an opportunity to reset." – Richie Norton
Our last day in Busan greeted us with sunshine and day 10 of the K-adventure —the first clear day we’d seen during our entire stay. After days of rain and overcast skies, this sudden burst of light felt like a special gift, a gentle nudge to savour every last moment in this vibrant coastal city.
🌅 Busan Mornings & Buttery Bites at the Lounge ☕
We started our day the same way we had grown to love—breakfast in the Signiel Busan lounge. By now, it felt like a comforting ritual, a quiet space where we could ease into the morning with a mix of fresh fruit, pastries, and warm dishes. The familiar spread of food, the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the sea, and the relaxed atmosphere made it a perfect start to our last day in Busan.
🚃 A Stroll Along the Sky Capsule Path🚶♀️
With the sun finally shining, we seized the opportunity to visit the Sky Capsules—one of the main reasons I had booked the hotel. This was the first stop on the blue capsule route. From what I’d seen in my research, these cute little capsules looked really cool, and they promised some stunning shots of the beach. If you’re planning to try the Sky Capsule, it’s highly recommended to pre-book online. I remember it was fully sold out when I checked, so I thought about buying tickets at the counter, but the queue was enormous.
Tip💫: The route by Signiel Hotel follows the blue capsule path, which is different from the beach train. The capsule is the better choice if you want a more scenic experience. Just keep in mind the ticket is one-way, so you’ll need to buy another for the return trip.
Like the other walking paths we had explored, this one was simply amazing and inviting. The walk itself was so peaceful—hugging the coastline with sweeping ocean views, and the dedicated walking path made it a comfortable and enjoyable stroll. Along the route, there were plenty of great photo spots, with the sun, sea, and city skyline creating stunning backdrops. There weren’t many people walking, so we had lots of clear shots without crowds getting in the way.
At one point, we found ourselves on a striking white bridge that jutted out a bit, allowing unobstructed views and perfect photo opportunities of the sea. Its clean lines stood out beautifully against the deep blue water. The gentle breeze carried the salty air, and as we watched the Sky Capsules glide overhead, I realised that sometimes, the experience of walking through a place—step by step—can be just as special as riding through it.
We continued walking until we reached one of the station stops, but it didn’t look quite as pretty as the rest of the route, so we decided to trek back along the scenic path instead.
😋 A Cafe Hunt That Led to Noodles 🍜
For lunch, I had my heart set on visiting a charming café nearby. I’d discovered it on Naver, and it looked like the perfect spot for a light, aesthetically pleasing meal. But when we arrived, we were greeted by locked doors. Despite Naver listing it as open, it clearly wasn’t—a frustrating moment any traveller can easily relate to. With no backup plan, we wandered around the area in search of another option, and that’s when we stumbled upon Subeul, a nearby noodle bar.
Though it wasn’t what we originally had in mind, sometimes the most unexpected meals turn out to be the most satisfying. The broth was rich and flavoursome, warming us from the inside out. The noodles had a lovely, springy texture that was a delight to eat, and the side dishes complemented the main perfectly, adding a variety of tastes and textures to the meal. The comforting warmth and simple flavours instantly made up for the café disappointment.
🫤 Not Quite the Spa Escape I Imagined 🤷♀️
Expecting a rainy day, I had booked a session at ClubD Oasis through Klook. Conveniently located in the building next to our hotel, it promised a luxurious retreat—beautiful interiors, various pools, and stunning views. But the reality didn’t quite live up to the expectation. Even getting in was a challenge. The front entrance was closed, and when we tried the back entrance, it led us to another building entirely. By the time we finally made it inside, we were already feeling a bit off.
My mum had been reluctant to come here from the start, which was frustrating because she’d usually be keen to join. I wasn’t sure if she felt obliged to say yes or if our previous day’s experience had put her off. I saw this visit as a chance to redo yesterday, determined to enjoy my own little K-drama spa moment…
Unlike yesterday, ClubD Oasis wasn’t crowded, but because it was smaller, the space felt cramped and a bit claustrophobic. We didn’t bother trying the traditional baths again and instead opted for the foot spa. A group of ladies was already there, and when we joined, it felt like we were an inconvenience—breaking up their little private area. To make matters worse, the only available seat was wet, so my bottoms got soaked.
Undeterred, we explored the other areas and discovered some sauna huts designed for about four people each. All of them were occupied, and it didn’t feel very inviting. Unsure if we should intrude, we figured that once we entered one, the current guests might leave. We chose one, and after a few minutes, the original occupants did leave. We stayed for a while and even took some photos, but then my mum brought up again that we should go back to the hotel facilities.
By then, I didn’t have the energy to convince her anymore. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to listen—after all, it was her holiday too—but I’d hoped to savour this moment and be fully present. I just wished we could have agreed to enjoy this place a little longer before heading back to the hotel to catch the sunset by the infinity pool. Instead, it sometimes felt like I was managing someone a bit anxious to move on. Perhaps the fatigue of the tenth day and lack of sleep were catching up with me, testing my patience more than usual.
Anyway, back at Signiel Busan, we fully embraced the hotel’s spa facilities. The infinity pool stretched towards the horizon, and the outdoor jacuzzi was the perfect spot to unwind while watching the sun dip below the skyline. My mood lifted as I dozed on the deck chairs, warmed by the sun. It was one of those peaceful moments when everything slows down, and you can simply be present—soaking in the golden hues of sunset with the cool evening breeze.
🍞 The Famous Salty Bread I Missed 😤
We were wandering around looking for dinner when we noticed a bakery near our hotel famous for its salty bread—a local favourite that had also caught the eye of many tourists. I wasn’t aware just how popular the salty bread was, nor that the bakery itself had gained such a reputation. Each time we passed by, there were always people taking photos of the shop, which piqued my curiosity even more. Yet, despite this, I never felt quite compelled to try it. Looking back now, I really wish I had. If there’s one thing travelling has taught me, it’s that the small, overlooked experiences often become the ones we regret missing the most.
🍜 The Dinner Dilemma & More Broth Noodles🥢
Finding dinner proved more challenging than I’d expected. We were in the mood for seafood, but the restaurants along the promenade felt too pricey and uninviting. As we wandered, I started feeling frustrated by how difficult it was to settle on something. I was happy to be flexible and try whatever, but the familiar response of “it’s too expensive” kept coming up—whether it was the restaurants, room service, or even the hotel’s own dining options. Although we loved the lounge, it was just snacks and not a proper meal. At one point, I found myself saying, “Mum, please just pick something.” We even sat down at one restaurant, but when we looked at the menu, it was not only expensive but unappealing, so we ended up walking out. Going back to the same place we’d enjoyed the night before felt too repetitive, despite our good experience there.
By then, I was getting hangry and tired. It got so bad that we even considered instant ramen just to have something to eat.
In the end, we settled on a broth noodle restaurant inside the shopping centre. I wasn’t particularly keen on broth noodles again, but I decided to eat whatever my mum wanted. When the staff realised we were Chinese, they kindly recommended a dish popular with Chinese tourists. It was delicious, and it was comforting to have something familiar.
We ended the evening with a quick visit to Olive Young right across from the restaurant, unable to resist one last beauty product haul before heading back to pack. No trip to Korea is quite complete without a final stock-up!
💪 Conquering Heights at Busan X the SKY 🌃
One of the main reasons I chose to stay at Signiel Busan was its proximity to Busan X the SKY, the tallest observation deck in Busan. My mum, who’s afraid of heights, decided to skip it and encouraged me to go solo.
I was a bit nervous at first but reminded myself that I want to get comfortable travelling alone, and this spot was a big part of why I chose the hotel. After some internal debate, I decided not to miss out. Plus, having a little solo time felt like a welcome break after spending so much time together on the trip. Once I bought the tickets, excitement kicked in.
With just an hour left before closing, I left my mum relaxing in the hotel lounge and headed to the tower. The lift ride was a highlight in itself, with fun animations that made the ascent feel like a journey from a hot air balloon to a rocket.
The night view was peaceful, if a little less dazzling than I’d imagined. The windows were a bit smudged from being so high up, which blurred the city lights in my photos. Walking alone in the softly lit space was a bit unsettling with my less-than-perfect eyesight, but I was determined to make the most of it.
Tip💫: Next time, I’d love to visit around sunset to catch the city glowing in golden hour and watch it transition into night.
The observation deck was almost eerily quiet — peaceful, yes, but also a little empty. I spotted a paper plane letter experience that looked like fun, though unfortunately, it wasn’t available that day. I took my time exploring, snapping photos and soaking in the atmosphere.
I was excited to check out the world’s highest Starbucks, but it was a bit of a letdown with no seats available and only a limited selection of pastries left. I grabbed a few photos and moved on.
📸Photo tip💫: I only later learned that the views from the restroom are apparently spectacular — definitely one for next time!
Before leaving, I discovered a postcard service where I wrote one to my future self, capturing this moment and my travel dreams. I also wrote one to my mum, thanking her for sharing the trip with me. Posting them in a miniature Busan X mailbox felt like a perfect way to close the visit.
Side note📝: At first, I wondered if I should’ve just kept the postcards instead of going through the trouble of sending them, but I’m glad I did — there’s something magical about mailing a memory.
Another side note📝: A week after returning home, my postcard arrived. For a fleeting moment, it felt like I was back up there, gazing down at the city and all we’d explored. I asked my mum if she’d received hers, but she hadn’t. Maybe the address wasn’t clear, or she might’ve mistaken it for litter. Either way, I’m just grateful mine arrived — and I snapped photos of both postcards before mailing so the memories won’t fade.
🌕 Day’s reflection 🫶
I reunited with my mum in the hotel lounge, and we spent our last evening in Busan wrapped in the familiar comfort of the space. It felt fitting—just the two of us, winding down after a whirlwind of days filled with adventure and new experiences. Reflecting back, I realise this was a tough day for both of us. There were moments of frustration and fatigue, but I’m always grateful she was there to share it with me.
As I sit here in the stillness of our final night, I’m reminded how important it is for me to work on staying calm and patient, especially during the challenging moments. Travelling together, with all its ups and downs, has shown me the value of presence and understanding. Tomorrow, we head back to Seoul, but for now, I’m holding close the gratitude for every moment we’ve wandered—together.
🧳Your Turn to Wander In🧋
Have you ever had a travel day that felt challenging but ended up teaching you something important? What was it?
How do you stay calm and patient when travel plans don’t go as expected?
Do you usually prefer to travel solo or with family? How do you balance your own needs with those of your travel companions?
What’s one moment from your recent trip that you’re especially grateful for?
Have you ever had a “missed opportunity” during travel that you later wished you had taken? What was it?
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories and experiences!
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