Just when i arrived Busan i bought a bus ticket to the popular Haeunde Beach with it’s famous beach train. I didn’t take a ride in one of these colorful capsules, but took a walk along the train route.
Later on i took a streched beach walk among many other weekend visitors on the beach. Just to collect some more impressions from the beach life.
It was bit hazy, so not ideal for making photos. There was many photo restrictions anyway due the security regulations.
When we enters the DMZ (demilitarized zone) our passports has to be shown, then crossed the bridge to the no-man-land. Not far after, there was the border post to North Korea. The bus passed it very slowly, even stopped for a few seconds, while our tour guide was requesting us to make quickly a pictures since it was actually not to allow to stop here.
We reached a viewpoint and looked over to the border of North Korea. The two nearest border towns on each side put a huge flag post in competition to have the taller one.
There’s also tunnels dug by the North Koreans in order to attack South Korea. The famous Third Tunnel was discovered by South Korea and now open for visit by tourist. An access tunnel leads down to the original tunnel and follows it until 170 meters distance to the actual border. Our guide joked, the South Korean eventually must be happy about it, since the North Korean did all the labour but South Korea makes now money with it.
A „must see“ when in South Korea is the DMZ, the demilitarized zone on the border with North Korea.
On the way there was a stop at the Majang Reservoir Suspension Bridge. Just enough time for a nice stroll in the cool, fresh air of the morning.
Just before the DMZ is a place called Imjingak. A touristic place for foreign and domestic tourists alike. It tells the story of a border town, which supposed to be not. And it also has carry still some hope, that the unused railway tracks and bridge are connecting the people of north and south one day again.
(stay tuned for the next post, inside the DMZ)
My dear friend Lucy asked me for an interview before i left Taiwan.
This is how it went:
When night falls over Seoul, there’s a popular night market to go at the Seoul district of Myeong-Dong.
I heard of various demonstrations and protests in South Korea. I also learned it’s part of their culture to raise their voices and protest on the streets. The usually quite and rather shy and friendly people change their mood when they think they have to be heard. But that’s what i heard. If you have any opinion about it, please let me know in the comments.
However, when i was still in Seoul before the elections, big crowds gathered in different streets and squares to support their political leaders and parties. Although there were different political groups nearby, there was never a feeling of threat or hate. In the opposite, they seemed to be determined, but also peacefully and smiling, taking it as a nice event to be with friends and same minded people.
Myself had no own political opinion, but just wandered trough the crowds and collected some impressions.
It’s not to deny how close tradition and modernity exist in South Korea, but especially in Seoul. One of the best example is the modern complex of Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
At the foot of the mountain Namsan with the Seoul Tower is a traditional village located. This Namsangol Hanok Village shows the architecture and daily life in a traditional Korean houses called ‚Hanok‘
To get an overview of Seoul it’s a good advice going up to the Namsan Seoul Tower.
Here just a few impressions about the tower and its view. It’s also a popular spot for picnic or a romantic date, as the thousands of love locks shows.
Did you noticed the beautiful traditional dresses in my last post? Well, these dresses called Hanbok and are popular for photo shoots at Gyeongbokgung Palace. At the nearby streets they rent it out and offer even make-up and hairstyling services for that occasion.
Friends, couples and families walking dressed up trough the old palace. They’re all in good mood and the scenery feels like a happy, sunny day in the 18th century.
rene bauer photography 