Current Travels

Walls and Borders - Boundaries Past and Present

10 to 15 July, 2017 - Suwon, Seoul, DMZ, Panmunjom - (South Korea)



Kimchi. The first few times it was served, we ate most of it. The next few times, some. And towards the end of the trip, I have eaten a bit and Jo has hardly touched it. The taste of spicy pickled cabbage is certainly not growing on us, despite (or perhaps because) it being served up twice a day with every meal. Other than the kimchi, and one or two other accompaniaments, not a single dish we have had in Korea has disappointed.

Back near Seoul, in Suwon, weather affected us for the first time. Persistent rain meant we spent the afternoon wandering in markets and drinking coffees instead of visiting the walls. Next morning, sun shining, we walked the entire 6 kilometres or so of the Suwon city walls. Certainly a trip highlight.

Paldalmun, Suwon
Paldalmun, Suwon
Also known as Nammun, or South Gate. Part of the amazing walls of Suwon.


A Baby Raccoon
A Baby Raccoon
He looked too young to be on his own. Tentative and unsure, and not quite steady on his feet. But he found a nice spot in the sun, back against the city wall, and promptly went to sleep.


Tolling the Hyowon Bell
Tolling the Hyowon Bell
Not too much effort was required. Long after the initial "bong" rung out, it was still humming, a low vibration taking a minute or more to fully dissipate from the large bronze bell. We leant back against it and let the resonance ripple through our backs like a little massage.


Walls of Suwon
Walls of Suwon
A section of the impressive walls, snaking around and over the hills. We walked the entire length, nearly 6 kilometres.


The Watergate, Hwahongmon
The Watergate, Hwahongmon
As depicted on the Hyowon Bell!


Jeongjadong Cathedral, Suwon
Jeongjadong Cathedral, Suwon
The massive cathedral dwarfing everything around it, beyond the city walls of Suwon.


Back to Seoul for the last few nights of our holiday.

Highlights from a Seoul Menu
Highlights from a Seoul Menu
This menu had a number of gems. But these four particularly tickled our fancies. Not sure if any of it is not in public morals, but good anchovies over my body may be pushing the boundaries a bit.


Evening Inside Deoksugung
Evening Inside Deoksugung
We were on our way here, and were sidetracked by a concert in Seoul Plaza (note lights shining up in background of pic). The delay meant we arrived at the gates of Deoksugong ten minutes after last entry. The first guard was quick to indicate we were too late and would have to return another day, but another came over, smiled, waved us in, and told us to remember they close soon. We still had ample time to enjoy this wonderful palace as the lights came on.


Under an Eave in Deoksugung
Under an Eave in Deoksugung
During an evening visit to the palace of Deoksugung in Seoul.



N Seoul Tower, Seoul, South Korea
Click on photo to change focus and perspective.


View from N Seoul Tower
View from N Seoul Tower
The men's room, N Seoul Tower.


Those who know us understand that doing a tour of any sort is not our style. However, there are things that cannot be done without a tour. Visiting the Joint Security (JSA) is one of those things. This is the zone that straddles the border between North and South Korea, within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Some familiar (from footage) blue buildings where the two sides come together, only very occasionally, to talk and accuse.

The first part of the day, the DMZ tour, was mixed. A visit to a North Korean infiltration tunnel ("tunnel number 3") had interest, but the South Korean propaganda video that we were forced to endure was equally humurous and unnecessary, and lacked any substance that could be called informative. The tunnel itself (quite a hike down, and of course afterwards, a tougher hike up) was good to see, but then we were not given time to see the museum on our own.

After this, stop two was a mountain lookout over the border. A sign showed us what we should see, and we could identify the very tall south, and even taller north, flagpoles. Haze prevented us from making out the giant statues of the Kims, and obscured details of the North Korean cities. The highlight of the stop was listening to the "hymn" to Kim Il Sung that was being blasted across the border from the other side. (The retaliation is apparently a good dose of K-Pop!)

Thirdly, described as a symbol of hope, the Dorasan railway station. However, as it is not fufilling its primary purpose, I felt it was a symbol of disappointment and non-fulfilment. It was built to be the station that connected the two Koreas, but it still only sees services south to Seoul. The signage indicates which platform trains to Pyongyang should depart from, but the service has never started.

Finally, for the morning, a pretty good lunch at the Peace Park. This park is the site of a number of monuments and memorials, including a bridge where POWs were exchanged in the 50's, and a shot up steam train from the war.

After lunch, a visit to the JSA, which was our main reason for doing the tour. A briefing by the U.S. and ROK soldiers, outlining protocols and behaviour, before being ushered on to a bus. This took us to the centre of the JSA, the eye of the storm. We had a couple of strictly controlled photo opportunities, outside and inside the buildings. Crossed to North Korea in the process. And then got "thrown out" when a lady broke the rule about crossing in front of the guard, twice. Once she crossed, and got told off by the guide, and so she crossed back again the way she had come. That seemed to be it, then, and we were wrapped up, formed our two lines, and walked back to the bus. The JSA portion is now only 2 spots - they used to include the site of a brutal axe-murder, and another, but due to security concerns, those others are now excluded.

Steam Engine Riddled with Bullet Holes
Steam Engine Riddled with Bullet Holes
Shot up and derailed during the Korean war, this locomotive sat rusting between the two Koreas for many decades. Recently, it was recovered and set up in Imjingak park.


Meeting Rooms Straddling the Line
Meeting Rooms Straddling the Line
There, over there, beyond the blue buildings, just there, that's North Korea. You can see the line. No fence, no gate, no wall. A line. Permanent tension and readiness pervades the entire Joint Security Area. Protocol, rules, regulations. Restrictions on clothing; restrictions on gestures. Both sides keep an eye on everything the visitors do.


A North Korean Soldier
A North Korean Soldier
We didn't see him when we were there, taking our pictures. Apparently, they tend to skulk in the shadows a bit when visitors come. Standing behind pillars or around corners. After leaving, and looking over our pictures, we found him there. Not particularly recognisable, I know.


Jo, Technically in North Korea
Jo, Technically in North Korea
Such a rebel, hey...


Richard, Technically in South Korea
Richard, Technically in South Korea
We were free to walk around inside the small room straddling the border. It was just a matter of which side of the guard you were standing that dictated which country you were in.


All in all, we have had a wonderful fortnight in South Korea, and it certainly warrants a return visit. (Keep reading below for week 1 of the trip.)

Fanfares and Love Hotels - Week 1 in South Korea

2 to 9 July, 2017 - Seoul, Daegu, Haein-sa, Andong, Hahoe, Gyeongju - (South Korea)



It's always good to start with food photos, especially when you are visiting a place where dining is an anticipated highlight. What's more, it is an excellent sign when the first meal you come across happens, without searching, to be something that you were curious about and wanting to ensure you ate at least once on the trip.

First Meal
First Meal
Budae Jjigae. One translation called this "Army Stew". Typical vegetables and Kimchi, but with processed meats (spam and hotdogs) and baked beans.


Scallops!!
Scallops!!
Biggest scallops I've ever seen. We had them at a street market in Seoul. Opened and cooked fresh in front of us. Scallops in butter and cheese... Mmmm....


The most significant sights of Seoul are those relating to the Joseon Dynasty. Palaces. Walls. Gates. We considered it important to space visits to these out, to ensure we don't overdose and get jaded. Also important, start with the most significant.

Guard at Gyeongbokgung
Guard at Gyeongbokgung
There was a changing of the guard ceremony, and the most impressive thing was watching how they did not flinch or react when everyone just stood next to them for photos afterwards!


Guard with Flag
Guard with Flag
The flag sat listless for quite a while, over his face. But, I assume they are not supposed to move, no matter what. Eventually, a little breeze came through and lifted the fabric off his head.


Ceiling in Gyeongbokgung Palace
Ceiling in Gyeongbokgung Palace


Don't Take Your Photos at the Wrong Spot!
Don't Take Your Photos at the Wrong Spot!
Lucky there are signs to ensure everyone gets the perfect angle.


The following days were filled with amblings and random visits. Another palace, temples, and random areas to enjoy.

Hanok rooftops, Bukchon
Hanok rooftops, Bukchon
The Bukchon area of Seoul is full of period "Hanok" houses, generally tiled and decorated as in this photo.


Raccoons at Chandeokgung
Raccoons at Chandeokgung
These little guys watched on as we wandered about the palace of Chandeokgung.



We have been enjoying the Korean fanfares. The train is approaching, so we get a fanfare. The door is opening, with a little fanfare. Approaching a station - of course, a fanfare. Not just on public transport, though. At the hotel, when you use the electronic key, a matching electronic fanfare emanates from the lock. Announcements seem to be accompanied by fanfares, rather than a plain "bing bong". It just makes coming and going such an event.

We took the KTX high speed train (270 km/h) to get to Daegu, where we were picked up by Nick. We all got lost in the alleys of downtown looking for our dodgy hotel, before we went out to meet his family and have dinner. Given they are just settling in to a new apartment, we really do appreciate him taking the time to spend with us.

Dinner with Friends
Dinner with Friends
With Nick, Nina, and Elsa. We met Nick, almost twenty years ago, when we were in northern Vietnam. We think we met at Ha Long Bay, and he was travelling with Adam. It has only taken nineteen years for us to get in to gear and visit ;)


We travelled out and about and around through the centre of the country, visiting some cultural highlights.

750 Years Old - the Tripitaka Koreana
750 Years Old - the Tripitaka Koreana
There are over 80,000 carved wooden blocks. Each is effectively one page. They were carved around 1250, after a previous set was destroyed by Mongolian invaders. The treated birch blocks are housed in an ingenious ventilation structure which minimises variations in humidity, allowing visitors to gain glimpses of the incredible collection.


Wall and Gate in Hahoe Village
Wall and Gate in Hahoe Village
Hahoe Vilage, near Andong, is like a living museum. It is not a recreation of an old Korean town, for tourists. Rather, it is a village which is still occupied by descendants of those that built the magnificent houses there. Ranging in age over many centuries, it was wonderful to walk around, with photogenic houses, gates, and doors around every corner.


We Get By!
We Get By!
Even without speaking any Korean, and the extremely limited English coming back. When you sit down for dinner, they know you're there to eat. When you point at something on another table, they know that's something you would like. Make a drink gesture, and a beer arrives. Despite the language barrier, we will not go hungry in South Korea.

Sliced beef, octopus, scallops, and ALL the trimmings! Korean dining at its best.


Eventually, we made it to Gyeongju for a few days.


Hmm, Not Sure About This Translation
Hmm, Not Sure About This Translation
Another quirky sign spotted while out and about. When we see things like this, Jo and I just look at each and ask "Why wouldn't you just find a native speaker to proof read it before you made it permanent?"


A Frog we Found
A Frog we Found
Jo went to separate some stacked plastic chairs so we could sit, and there he was. Hiding between two chairs. Nervously, he just peered out at us, trying not to move. We let him be, and found another chair to sit on.


Kites, around 100
Kites, around 100
As we were walking around, I noticed a string of kites. About 50, at a quick estimate. A while later, I commented that it appeared to be more, maybe 70. Walking through the park, we found four men, letting them out, 1 at a time. By now, around 100. We enquired how many there were, and were told they had about 200 in total. As it was, it would have come down over a few blocks. Best to leave these sorts of things to the experts.


Bulguk-sa
Bulguk-sa
A magnificent Buddhist temple near Gyeongju.




Bulguk-sa, Gyeongju, South Korea
Click on photo to change focus and perspective.



Bulguk-sa, Gyeongju, South Korea
Click on photo to change focus and perspective.


Stone Bridge, Bulguk-sa
Stone Bridge, Bulguk-sa
A bridge on the approach to the temple.


Chipmunk
Chipmunk
A cheeky and playful fellow peers over a rock at us, playing hide and seek as we tried to get his photo. In between scurries, he would sit motionless for a few seconds to take everything in, and that was our chance to snap.


So, we have stayed in a couple of regular hotels, and in a couple of love hotels. The value for money of a love hotel is significantly better. Much bigger rooms and more facilities - we even got a spa bath in one - but generally a computer in the room, and cable tv with multitudes of channels. But, you do have to put up with some pretty atrocious decor. Also, a minority appear to be a little on the sleazy side. However, it should be stated that the majority advertise and openly accept regular travellers, even having rooms on normal hotel booking websites. It is also worth noting we are in a country where some extended families all live together, and these hotels often provide respite and escape for married couples with too many people living in their homes. So, you trudge in with your backpacks, and step in to a room of kitsch. Pink frills around the mirrors; baubelled chandeliers; tables with curling wands and hairdryers and beauty kits; double showers and spa baths; coloured sultry mood lighting which is useless for seeing anything; love hearts and kitten decorations. All good, though, and worth tolerating for a slice of cheap luxury.