Day 8: Flight to Busan: Zombies Not Included
- wanderingazuki
- Aug 26
- 10 min read
Updated: Sep 10
Table of Content
🌺 Introduction 🫘
"Traveling—it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller." — Ibn Battuta
As our journey in South Korea continued, we made our way from Jeju to Busan, eager to explore the next chapter of our adventure. With a blend of excitement and a touch of fatigue, we set out for the day.
🎭 Suspicious Minds and Morning KDrama 📺
It was another early start, with our airport transfer scheduled for 8 a.m. via Trip.com. Sleep-deprived but determined, we piled into the lift with our suitcases—only to be met with the most bizarre trio: a man in a full suit (likely the hotel manager), a security guard, and a guy in a bright red shirt. The vibe? Tense.
We exchanged polite greetings, but the atmosphere was thick. Whether it was out of politeness or discomfort, the staff felt professionally cold. Compared to our experience at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul, where the team was warm and welcoming despite their professionalism, this contrast stood out.
I found myself awkwardly watching the lift lights, mentally willing them to speed up. The situation eased slightly once more guests joined us, diluting the tension.
Side Note📝: This moment reminded me of a similar situation from earlier in our trip. Two young guests had been struggling to operate the lift (like in Seoul, you needed your room key card to activate the buttons). In Seoul, a staff member had shown us how to use it—but here, there was no such guidance. I saw these two guys struggling, clearly unsure how to proceed. They were speaking Chinese, which made me feel more compelled to help. My own Chinese failed me in the moment, so I resorted to miming and saying, “Card! Card!” Luckily, they got the message and were genuinely thankful. It was a small but heartwarming moment.
Back to our suspenseful morning—once we reached reception, I overheard a hushed exchange between the three men from the lift. It sounded like the manager was instructing the security guard to escort the man in red off the premises. Naturally, my imagination went full K-drama: Was he a gambler? A con artist? Someone who got caught sneaking into the hotel? Realistically, he may have just been a guest from another floor since they were coming down from a higher floor than us. But hey, people-watching is part of the fun.
That said, if he was a threat, it felt unsettling that we shared a lift with him.
Check-out was swift—we even paid for the toothbrush my mum had used—but I noticed there wasn’t any proper seating in the lobby. The lounge was closed, and when we wandered over hoping to rest our feet, the security guard followed us. He didn’t stop us directly, but he looked like he was about to use a translator app to say something. We got the message.
As we waited, our taxi driver arrived and began loading our luggage. Suddenly, a security staff stormed out and launched into what looked like a heated exchange in Korean with our driver. The staff then stomped back inside in a huff. The driver reassured us everything was fine—my guess is that external taxis aren’t supposed to collect guests directly. Still, the security guard’s attitude was unnecessary, especially toward someone older. Maybe I’ve watched too many K-dramas, but I expected a little more respect.
Despite the hotel’s glamorous appearance, the staff—particularly security—felt intimidating (which I guess is what you want from them). Professional? Yes. Warm? Not exactly.
Tip✨: It might be worth asking the concierge about the airport shuttle coach. I saw a group boarding one and it likely costs less than a taxi.
Thankfully, once we were in the taxi, we were pleasantly surprised—no traffic, and the ride only took five minutes. As we cruised toward the airport, I couldn’t help but think: We could’ve slept in a little longer. That would’ve been nice.
🧳From Jeju Breeze to Busan Buzz👩✈️
Our flight from Jeju to Busan started off smoothly with a swift baggage check-in. There was an extra layer of security for foreigners flying domestically—we were asked to watch the screen and only leave once we’d seen our luggage clear the scan. Aside from that, I barely remember the rest of the security process, which likely means it went off without a hitch.
As we waited at the airport, the atmosphere felt… underwhelming. Compared to the stylish, well-lit airports in Seoul, this one lacked personality. Once again, we’d arrived too early (some habits die hard), and the terminal didn’t offer much to distract us.
What surprised me most was the absence of an Osulloc Café. Of all places, Jeju Airport should have one—it’s the home of Osulloc tea, after all. Missed opportunity. There were plenty of seats, but most of the gates were located on the lower ground level, which made the space feel darker and more enclosed, with minimal natural light.
Time seemed to drag, but eventually boarding was announced, and our 1 hour flight to Busan was smooth and uneventful, so I’m grateful for that!
Side note📝: We were flying with Jin Air and I don’t recall the online check-in being that bad.
🏨 When Hospitality Hits the Right Note: Our Signiel Busan Arrival 👍
After arriving in Busan, we arranged our airport transfer through Trip.com. The drive from the airport to the Signiel Hotel took over an hour. I knew it would be a bit long since I chose to stay near the beach rather than the city centre, but it still felt quite lengthy. We were hungry and tired, yet the journey gave us plenty of time to take in the scenery and build anticipation for our stay.
I suddenly remembered that the hotel’s official check-in time was 3pm. Since we landed at Busan airport around noon, I sent a message to the hotel explaining that we would be arriving early and hoped for an early check-in. When I’m stressed, I can’t relax until things like this are sorted, so I was relieved when they promptly replied to confirm they had noted our arrival time.
When we finally arrived at the hotel, we were greeted by exceptionally friendly staff—a refreshing change from our experience in Jeju. A petite lady from the concierge team immediately came running out to take both our suitcases, which amazed us since we had been struggling with our own luggage. Their warm welcome instantly set a positive tone for our stay.
The hotel itself was lovely, though it didn’t quite have the same grandeur as our previous accommodations. Still, its charm and elegance were undeniable.
The check-in process was a bit unusual. Even though we arrived before the official time, it seemed early check-ins were common here. We noticed several guests lingering in the lobby, apparently waiting for their rooms. At first, I thought they might be waiting for a tour. We were allowed to sit in the lounge café area, which was kind, but we felt a little awkward since we weren’t planning to buy anything. So, we returned to the lobby and waited patiently for about 30 minutes, grateful we had brought some snacks from Jeju to tide us over.
Names were then called one by one for check-in. The receptionist was kind and upgraded our room after I mentioned it was my mum’s birthday treat. (I was thrilled—three hotels in a row, three free upgrades!) While my mind wandered, I caught mention of free refreshments but didn’t think much of it at the time. We were then escorted to our room, with staff carrying our luggage upstairs.
Although the process was unconventional, it seemed to work well for them.
When we arrived at our room, the staff member removed her shoes before entering—a small but thoughtful gesture that made a big impression. She showed us around and offered us some welcome drinks - which I believe is a suite perk. We opted for nice warm lemon honey tea.
Our room had a small balcony overlooking the capsule train and part of the beach. While it was a bit smaller than the one in Jeju, it featured a dining table and all the usual amenities. It was the attentive service that truly made us feel welcome; the room size didn’t dampen our spirits at all, which goes to show how much excellent customer care matters.
To our delight, we found a lovely box of chocolates from the hotel’s café waiting to celebrate my mum’s birthday—such a sweet and thoughtful surprise.
⛈️ Weather Woes, Lounge Luxuries, and Beachside Bliss 🏖️
After a refreshing nap, we set out to explore the local area, but strong winds and a weather warning quickly dashed those plans. The sand was blowing fiercely, making it impossible to walk along the beach or even stay outside the hotel. Our umbrella wouldn’t stay open, and we were practically being blown back indoors.
We had been looking forward to the weekly drone show at 7:30 p.m., which was a big reason I chose to stay near the beach and planned our dates around it. So naturally, I was disappointed when it was cancelled due to the weather. At the same time, I felt relieved — I was tired and not keen on navigating Busan’s transport or walking in the wind.
Instead, we decided to take it easy and dine at the hotel. The room service menu didn’t excite us much, so we explored the hotel’s two restaurants and opted for the Chinese one. Since it wasn't opened yet, we went back to the room to wait.
At 6 p.m., we went down and were seated in a back area; the main dining area was reserved, which was a bit disappointing, but at least we enjoyed the views. We were served complimentary tea and shared a dim sum starter. The dim sum was pleasant but quite small for the price, nothing to rave about. I ordered the black sauce noodle dish, a classic I’d seen in K-dramas. After trying it a few times in Korea and London, I’ve decided it’s not really for me — the vinegary tang caught me off guard, especially since I was expecting something more soy sauce-based. My mum chose the wonton soup, which she liked, though it seemed a bit small compared to my noodle portion.
To our surprise, the staff later brought us complimentary sweet treats, which added a lovely touch to the meal. I also appreciated that hotel guests receive meal discounts — a thoughtful gesture I wish more hotels would offer.
After dinner, we debated whether it was safe to venture outside. Then I hesitantly suggested to my mum that we ask about the complimentary refreshments in the lounge. True to form, I worried about making a fool of myself or facing rejection, but we decided to check anyway. The staff asked for our room number and confirmed the refreshments were indeed complimentary — a delightful perk.
The lounge was divided into two sections: a family side and a business side. Standing at the entrance between the two, it was funny to see the contrast — one side was calm and adult-only, while the other had kids making noise. Due to availability, we were shown to the family side.
Tip💫: The family side offers the nicer views!
The lounge featured premium drinks — champagne and other fancy alcoholic beverages — alongside crisps and biscuits. It was delicious, and my mum and I found ourselves going back for snacks multiple times. We joked that we could have just hung out here with free snacks instead of waiting for the restaurant to open.
After taking some photos and filling our bellies, we lingered in the lounge until closing time. By then, the wind had finally calmed to a gentle breeze — the kind that brushes past you softly instead of pushing you backwards. It felt like the weather had shifted just for us, giving us a second chance to enjoy what we had originally come for.
We decided to seize the moment and headed out for a walk along the beach.
The scene that greeted us was magical.
The beach, once stormy and chaotic, had transformed into something serene and cinematic. The crashing waves had mellowed into a soothing rhythm, like nature’s own lullaby. With fewer people around, it felt like we had the entire coastline to ourselves. The only sounds were the waves lapping gently against the shore, the occasional call of a distant seabird, and the soft crunch of sand under our feet.
Above us, the sky had cleared just enough to reveal patches of stars blinking faintly behind drifting clouds. On the horizon, the city lights twinkled like reflections of the sky, wrapping the beach in a soft glow. The tall buildings lining the beach shimmered with reflections on the wet sand, creating a mirage-like effect that blurred the line between land and sea.
We took our time, strolling slowly and soaking in the calm. The beach had a hushed stillness that invited reflection — not silence exactly, but a kind of peaceful quiet that made you breathe a little deeper and walk a little slower. The breeze carried the salty scent of the sea, tinged with the warmth of the summer evening.
It was one of those rare moments when everything felt just right — no rush, no distractions, no noise. Just us, the sand, the sea, and the city quietly glowing in the background. After a long day of travel, cancellations, and shifting plans, this peaceful walk felt like a gentle reward — a reminder that even when things don’t go as planned, beauty has a way of showing up when you least expect it.
🌕 Day’s reflection 🫶
Our journey from Jeju to Busan marked a quiet shift in pace—a gentle reminder that not everything goes to plan, and sometimes, that’s where the magic hides.
As we said goodbye to the windswept beauty of Jeju, I found myself reflecting on how much we’d experienced in such a short time. From coastal adventures to local bites, our time on the island felt full and fleeting. Leaving Jeju, I expected to hit the ground running in Busan. Instead, our first hours in the city unfolded at a much slower rhythm—grounded by strong winds, a cancelled drone show, and the quiet realisation that fatigue was catching up with us.
But somehow, the stillness made space for unexpected comforts: the warm welcome at Signiel Busan, the surprise of complimentary lounge access, the serenity of a room with a view. We didn’t rush to tick off a list. Instead, we laughed over snacks, soaked in the hotel ambience, and took a peaceful beachside stroll under the soft glow of lights.
I’m learning that travel isn’t always about doing everything. It’s about being with everything—whether that’s crashing plans or crashing on the sofa. Sometimes, bliss finds you not in the big plans, but in the pauses.
🧳Your Turn to Wander In🧋
Have you ever ‘people-watched’ and created a full drama plot in your head like a K-drama episode? What was your story line?
What’s the rudest hotel or service experience you’ve ever had—and how did you handle it?
On the flip side, where have you received the warmest, most memorable hotel welcome?
What’s the best surprise perk or upgrade you’ve ever experienced while staying at a hotel?
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories and experiences!
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