Amazing Korea

We did not have a preconceived idea of Korea and everything about it was a good surprise.

The first encounter with the country was going to the DMZ (Demilitarised Zone) which is the border between North and South Korea. It's impossible to go anywhere close to the actual 38th parallel but the "buffer zone" (=DMZ) of 2.5 km on either side is of interest.

While the South Korean side is green and forest-covered, the North Korean have cut all the trees on their side to provide heating and construction wood to the population... 

South Koreans discovered 4 tunnels (to date) the North Koreans dug, planning an unexpected attack of Seoul located only 50 km from the border. We got to visit the 3rd tunnel, taking a little train down and walking underground at 73m below ground to almost the actual border. 

From an observatory we also could peek into North Korea and see the "model village" they built to display the greatness of the regime as well as the 20 m high statue of Kim-Il Sung... It reminded me very much of the German-German border I got to see in 1988 except that this one is far worse. Hopefully it will get to a similar ending...

The days in Seoul were wonderful. Korea looks back to a 5000 years history and the capital abounds with treasures. We particularly enjoyed the Gyeongbokgung Palace, the parks and the Folk Museum. 

In Insa-Dong we drank traditional tea and I witnessed the performance of a staged traditional wedding. The colours, the music, the dances in Korea are very lively and swinging since they combine the drums with the cords and the flute. 

We hope to come back soon and get a chance to see the rest of the country in Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter and ... Spring!