Up early today for the highlight of Karen’s Korea trip, a visit to the DMZ. Sadly, the up close and personal tour to Panmunjom was cancelled due to imminent talks between North and South Korea, so we had to take the 3rd Tunnel visit instead. Leaving the Tour DMZ office at 8:10 we arrived at the first check point an hour later, coach parties were merged, passports were checked and we were soon at the tunnel entrance. Strict instructions from our guide to NOT to take any pictures with soldeirs in etc, limited what we could take.
Herded on to an open torpedo like train, we vanished in to the rock face where 75 meters later we were walking along the tunnel dug by the North Koreans. Then, back up to the surface for a short propaganda movie before getting back on the coach again for our next visit, the Dora Observatory. For 15 minutes we could look over the border in to North Korea, guessing at what they were up to. Loud music and speech was heard in the wind coming across at us.
Then back on the coach for 15 minutes at Dorasan Station, a ghost-town of a place waiting for unification when it can send trains once again in to North Korea. KoRail built the expensive looking new complex that stands empty and unused, just selling trinkets to coach riders like us. An odd place.
Then our coach stopped at Imjingak to spend 15 minutes viewing the bridge and the final bullet ridden train from North Korea, rescued and put on display. A restaurant with a viewing platform gave us a last opportunity to gaze across the DMZ.
Then, back to the coach park, unload our sharing passengers before heading off to a roadside cafe for dinner of Bibimbap and a beer. Then back on the coach for the return to Seoul.
After a comfort break we took some pictures around the City Hall plaza and then found a coffee shop for a quick brew before hoofing it back to the guesthouse.
After our early start we picked up some nibbles from the nearby 7-11 and night market and crashed out early.
mrandmrsyoung 