Incheon, Korea

Sunday morning we arrived in Incheon. The approach to the pier was quite interesting as it is a very sheltered harbor controlled by a flood gate (lock). There was a tug at the stern to help keep it centered in the lock, but it was very windy and the Captain had to use the forward thruster all the time to keep us from hitting the side bumpers… We did hit them a few times so there is probably some paint missing from the side of the ship - there were marks on the bumpers. It was quite interesting to watch - we went in and out quite a bit alternating hot coffee and warm cabin with the balcony.

was quite cold but it was supposed to get up to about 50 so we waited until noon to head out. It seemed most people were heading to Seoul either by tour or on their own for shopping. How much shopping can people really do??? I guess not being a shopaholic saves me a good deal of money.

When we went ashore we realized that since it was Sunday most everything near the pier was closed but we found our way to the Sinpo local market and wandered through just looking and taking pictures. I have to admit the prices had me a bit baffled… the exchange rate is about $1.00 = W1,300. So the rack of jeans with the sign W5000 cost only $4 ??? Now, these weren’t Levi’s, but still a pair of jeans for four dollars is awfully cheap. I mostly enjoy the stalls with the food - took many shots of those.

Then it was back to the ship to get out of the cold - I think the 50 degrees was a wish. We left port about 8:00 and after that I crawled into bed to read.
We will have one sea day and then Shanghai where we leave for our overland trip to the Beijing and the Great Wall.