Tour time

Up early and - man it was cold! The run was minus 1o and I used it to scope out the bus meeting spot. Right next door to it was an old tram track turned into a linear park that turned out to a beaut track to run on. I got to the meeting point in plenty of time so had time to soak in the cold. I had so many layers I felt like the Michelin man. However I was relieved others were dressed similarly - not like Wellington! 42 on the tour and well hosted by Nancy. After border control the first stop was delayed by an hour as we had a discrepancy with numbers that quite rightly was viewed dimly by the army. It may also been a ply to get us to spend money in the visitors centre. I had missed breakfast and from the early looks it seemed like a Boston Burger was it until I ventured further and found a line of Korean food outlets. Fish cakes (eomuk) are on my of street foods list so this was chance to tick it off. The fish cakes are twisted onto a stick and placed in broth - and in this case udon noodle soup. It was DELICIOUS and and an excellent brunch - a surprise in a tourist trap. S&T know the drill - drive around with several stops including a super strenuous forced march down and up Tunnel 3. I wasn’t sure I really wanted to do it but went along and completed it - a long steep downhill, then a level walk with a lot of stooping until you reach North Korea then back again. A bit of puffing at the top - a good workout! The observation platform really showed what it was all about. This place is really about puffing out chests but with some serious potential consequences. My drop off was very close to the hotel and I picked up some street food from a stall just near the station. 2 more crossed off - gimbap which are like sushi rolls but a little different and twigim which tempura fried fish/veges. I had prawns and stuffed green chillies. Had them in the room as it was SO cold outside. The rest of the arvo will be doing Penguin, reading the papers and emails and enjoying a Korean beer or 3. In this cold I would really have enjoyed a club lounge - but not on so I will see how much Michelin man can endure! Tomorrow afternoon/evening I have another tour - this one a food an drink crawl in another part of town. Getting there (and back) will be tomorrow’s adventure.Læs mere