This past weekend I headed to Seoul for the very LAST time this year!
Started the morning off right with brunch at Flying Pan (I am sure going to miss that place)!
Then we headed to Yeouido to check out some cherry blossom trees... happened to stumble upon this beautiful park, too!
Pretty cherry blossom trees lined the street!
On Sunday we woke up early for a DMZ tour! Barbed wire runs the length of the highways just outside of Seoul (even though the DMZ is about an hour away). Really puts things into perspective!
First stop: Imjingak Park and Freedom Bridge
Drove by an army fort!
Second stop: 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, DMZ Theater and Exhibition Hall
^^amazing photograph on the wall of the exhibition hall!
This statue embodies the separation of the north and south... but a hope for unification one day! Perfect opportunity to throw up the peace signs!
All around the 3rd tunnel are barbed wire fences... beyond the fences are land mines!
More mines!
Unfortunately, during much of the tour we were not allowed to take photos... the tunnel included! As we walked in the tunnel we saw yellow spray paint targeting areas were dynamite was to be placed. The walls were even decorated by the North Koreans to make them look like coal mines... not infiltration tunnels. We learned that today... South Korea has found 4 tunnels... AND they are pretty confident there are others out there. Scary to think what would have happened if the tunnels were really used for their intended purpose!
Unfortunately, during much of the tour we were not allowed to take photos... the tunnel included! As we walked in the tunnel we saw yellow spray paint targeting areas were dynamite was to be placed. The walls were even decorated by the North Koreans to make them look like coal mines... not infiltration tunnels. We learned that today... South Korea has found 4 tunnels... AND they are pretty confident there are others out there. Scary to think what would have happened if the tunnels were really used for their intended purpose!
Third Stop: Dora Observatory "End of Separation, Beginning of Unification"
North Korea... as seen from afar! There was a line drawn on the observatory deck... no one was allowed to take pictures beyond it! Someone tried and two military men were right on them!
Me poking Buddha's belly! =)
Fourth stop: Dorasan Station (train station that connects South and North Korea)
Platform at Dorasan Station... empty! The station was supposed to open in 2008 to the public (previously open for freight trains)... but, at the last minute, the North Korean government halted the opening... saying South Korea had a "confrontational policy."
Fifth stop: Ginseng museum (unfortunately we were not allowed to take pictures at the ginseng museum. Ginseng looks like ginger... and takes 6 years to grow to full maturity. It is supposed to be very good for diabetics, people with heart conditions... and for your overall health). We were allowed to try a bit... some people even bought some to take back home. However, a box of ginseng will run you about $900... I think I'll stick with my Target vitamins!
After getting dropped off in Seoul, we stumbled upon the Gyeongbokgung Palace!
Across the street from the palace was a large farmer's market (or what seemed to be like a farmer's market). We saw a HUGE line of children with their families waiting to take a turn in these! Kids get strapped into them... and their parents roll them around! The kids had a blast... but I wasn't too sure how safe it was!
Last... we headed to Insadong! Insadong is full of traditional Korean shops and a great place to head to if you're looking for gifts and souvenirs. I couldn't leave without trying one of these GIANT ice cream cones! One side is filled with dark chocolate, and the other side was filled with vanilla soft serve ice cream... DELICIOUS!
Seoul... CHECK!
Love,
K.
