DMZ

Last weekend, Claudia, John and I went to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone). Basically, went on a tour to the border of North and South Korea.  Apparently this is dangerous and not a lot of Koreans take these tours. You could click here to find out more information about the tour, costs and how to make a reservation.  We chose the combined tour: 3rd tunnel and Panmujom.  It was kind of pricey, it was 120 000won, but it was very interesting and informative.  Our tour guide was hilarious too.


We had to get to Lotte Hotel by 8:30 in the morning.  We were so tired, but our tour guide kept our energy up. There are very specific areas where we are and are not allowed to take photos.

Fun Fact 1: 

Did you know that you could tell if a mountain is a N.Korean mountain or a S.Korean mountain by the trees? S.Korean mountains are filled with trees, N.Korean mountains have no trees, all used for heating houses.

When N. and S. Korea are no longer at war.  There is already train tracks ready to get from one side to the other. 

Some guys guarding the station.

  

Ticket to N. Korea (even though we can't go now)

I don't think he signed up for this.

Dorasan Station, closest station to N. Korea.

The Tracks

Be careful of the mines!

Just funny =)

Dora Observatory.

  

Got a nice view of N. Korea here, but we weren't allowed to take pictures.

N. Korean money, anyone?

Getting ready to go into the 3rd Tunnel.  We were not allowed to take pictures.

Fun Fact 2:  

So far, only 4 tunnels have been found to lead from N. to S. Korea.  They believe that there are many more. 

John didn't let me have my own letter!

This is how it's done! Don't hate on the last letter of our alphabet!

LOL we think we're so clever =) 

Lunch, included in the tour.

Representing our countries =) 

Club DMZ? Jk =P

I believe this was the last train to pass through N. Korea.

=)

Typical strangeness that happens to Cat Lee.  My bun got speared by branches *sigh*

Ew

=P 

 Messages written on flags and banners. 

  

Guess pass to get into the JSA (Joint Security Area).

Signed our life away.  They are not responsible if we die...great...

Fun Fact 3: 

MAC conference room is where the N. and S. Koreans have important meetings.

 

Fun Fact 4:

Those black objects on the table indicate the line the separates the two Koreas.  If you are on the right, you're in the north side.  Left, south side.  You bet your ass I ran over the the north side as soon as I knew.  How many times can you can I was "in" N. Korea?

"In" N. Korea =)

You are not allowed to touch them.  

Fun Fact 5:

We were only allowed to take pictures, this way, facing the north.  Reason.....you think about it =)

Yes, I got a nice picture of the N.Korean guard watching us.

Again, the line.  Walk north of it, N. Korean side.  We weren't allowed to go.

=) 

Guards are partially behind the building to use it as a shield.  If N. Koreans decide to shoot, they can hide behind the buildings.  Must suck to be the dude in the middle.

Where the "Popular Tree" was.  It was a gigantic tree blocking the views of watchtowers.  When cutting down the tree, dispute happened and a few people died.  The call it the "axe murder incident"

"Bridge of No Return" 

After the war, prisoners were allowed to decide whether or not they wanted to return home to their families.  Once the cross the bridge, the are never allowed to return. 

More N. Korean money.

After not getting killed during our adventure, we ended the day with burgers in Sinsa.

Stefan joined us for dinner.  They all got bacon cheese burgers, I got a mushroom cheese burger with caramelized onions =D.

Fun Fact 6:  

There is currently no way of entering N. Korea from S. Korea.  You must go through China.

If you're ever in S.Korea and need something to do on a Saturday (or other weekdays).  Feel free to check out the DMZ.  It's pretty interesting.

With that being said. Stay safe kids!

xoxo