We got up at 6am today as we had a long day planned. We had booked into going to the DMZ (de-militarised-zone) on thy North Korean/South Korean border. We did it though a tour guide as it’s almost impossible to go alone as you need permission from the government and passport checks from military personnel to enter.
Our tour guide was Mamma Winnie a lovely Korean woman who was really informative. Our bus picked us up from Hong Dae at 7am and we got a full background lesson on the Korean War . I was expecting her to be quite biased but she was fairly open and pro a United Korea. They have just had an impeachment in South Korea with a new democratic PM who has a good relationship with kim jong un as opposed to the conservative government who hate North Korea. Apparently no young people wants united Korea as it will be so much work. The No mand land between the countries is littered with land mines as it is!
On the bus journey she showed lots of videos and stories of North Korean defects especially one guy who was shot 5 times by NK but managed to crawl over the line . When the SK doctors operated on him apparently His stomach was filled with parasites as they don’t have access to any antivirus. One of the reasons why he survived is because he reacted so well to the antibiotics as he’d never had anything in his system!
Once we got there we walked around some monuments and were given time to get breakfast. Next we took the bus to the hanging bridge which was a bit a hike to get there but worth it to walk across and for the photos. Everywhere you go you are checked for ID by young Korean military personnel . In South Korea it’s mandatory to do 1.5 years service (10 years mandatory on NK!).
Next we went to one of the famous 4 tunnels which South Korea have found in the last 30 years. We weren’t allowed phones inside and had to leave them in a locker. It’s quite an hike down underground and you have to wear a helmet on the tunnel but it goes on for ages. We got all the way up to about 180 meters to the North Korean border. We got some snacks on the shop after and then went to the observatory where you can actually see North Korea and the big North Korean flag on a hill. There’s a town you can see but apparently it’s a propaganda town with no inhabitants.
No photos allowed here for obvious reasons but we did look through some binoculars at North Korea. Our final spot was n on one of the South Korea hamlets in the DMZ. A small proportion of Koreans are allowed to live there but with very strict rules for example you have a curfew and can’t be out after 8pm. Also a lot of the town had missing limbs as they are all soy bean farmers and have accidentally stepped on landmines digging.
We got some soybean ice cream there whuch was surprisingly good and some soy sauce to bring home!
Long bus ride home and then out for a nice final dinner at a bistro place near our hotel. We opted for the metro to the airport as saved alot of money compared to a taxi! 6am start and 1.45am flight next day means we are knackered and I’m typing this all out from the plane half asleep!
Another great holiday and the book will be coming out soon! Hasta prontoBaca lagi
All in all, you and Sinéad have had a great holiday! You’ve packed a lot in and seem to have experienced a lot of the culture. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and reflections. I look forward to the book! if mum and I ever go, we will use the as. a good reference. [Andrew]
Korea SelatanPaju-si37°56’15” N 126°56’45” E
Korea SelatanPaju-si37°56’15” N 126°56’45” E
PengembaraSo interesting, what an experience! 💕
All in all, you and Sinéad have had a great holiday! You’ve packed a lot in and seem to have experienced a lot of the culture. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and reflections. I look forward to the book! if mum and I ever go, we will use the as. a good reference. [Andrew]