Beach Weather

One of the things we love about our apartment in Busan is it's location. We like to joke that we left the Caribbean only to actually live closer to the ocean. I could probably throw a rock from my apartment window into the ocean below. Given that we are on the twenty-first floor the idea might not be wise, but we are literally that close. Our view is amazing, sweeping ocean view, even Japan on the horizon on clear days. The beach we look over is easily the most popular in Korea. People flood Haeundae during the summers to experience the beach. 

As close as we live to the ocean, we have really only been to the beach a handful of times. Part of it was our arrival so quickly on the heals of the Caribbean tour. Somehow the beach was never quite as pretty as the turquoise waters and white sand. Part of it was the timing of our arrival and the start of fall weather, which really made beach going unappealing. Most of it, however, is the Asian pact mentality. 

There is a season for everything here. There is a season for specific fruit: strawberries, watermelon, etc. Literally the day that season ends for a particular fruit you are hard pressed to find anymore. We like to joke that all remaining fruit is pulled from the shelves and tossed regardless of it's state. And keeping with the tradition for seasons, there is a distinct beach season. The day before beach season "begins" the beach will be empty, regardless of temperatures, etc. The day beach season officially begins, the beach will literally be body to body with people. Because the season has begun. Period. The day beach season ends the beach is again forlorn and empty, with exception of the few foreign tourists who somehow managed to brave the 85 plus degree temps to go for a swim. 

Beach season begins the beginning of July, so we plan to spend much time at the beach between now and then. Because, really, an empty beach is far more fun for us than a packed one. Then we will likely take a few month sojourn from beach going. But again come mid-August when beach season is over, you will again find my children frolicking on the empty sand. As far as we are concerned, beach "season" can take it's time starting!

The coolest functional piece of art ever. This is a slide made from pipes stretching from the boardwalk down to the sand. The girls love it. 

They love the beach!

She loves sunglasses. But not sand. She was only happy sitting on my lap. On a towel.

Family tradition of child burying. Or creating sand mermaids, as the girls refer to them.

One super cute sand mermaid!