DMZ

Sadly, my camera batteries gave out after the first stop of the DMZ tour, so that explains the lack of photos for this post...

Two weeks ago, I joined a tour around the DMZ. The tour lasted from morning to evening, and we visited several locations along the DMZ. We did not have permission to INSIDE the DMZ, but we received permission to stay close to the outside of the fence. (DMZ is a 4 km zone stretching 2 km north and 2 km south of the Military line ACTUALLY separating north and south, I suppose one could call DMZ a type of "no man's land")

The two locations we visited that stuck in my mind most, were the 3rd infiltration tunnel, and Dora Observatory. I will explain why here:

The 3rd Infiltration tunnel was created by North Koreans in the 1970s to try and infiltrate the South (hence the name). In total there are 4 known infiltration tunnels, but more are suspected to exist.
The 3rd one is approx. 75 meters underground (25 story building) that we had to walk down to reach. All of us were told to wear helmets, for the height of the tunnel is probably know more than 1.5 meters or less at certain points, and I did end up bumping my head frequently.

Only 300 meters of the 1.6 km tunnel are open to the public, and we went down to view it. At the end of the long, cold, wet stone corridor you reach a door, through which you can glimpse the Military Line (I forget the exact name) marking North and South Korea.

The reason this tour stop sticks in my mind, is because of the vibe it gives off. The 3rd Infiltration tunnel is not a joke. It was truly, and actually made by North Koreans, in an attempt at future infiltration. It's almost like a bad movie. And now, hordes of tourists view it. Different languages can be heard drifting through the tunnel, as well as laughter and shouts. Now, this is not wrong, however I think the stark contrast between the actuality of the meaning behind the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, and the lightness with which it is treated by some tourists is striking.

The entrance and parking lot in front of the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel is surrounded by wire fencing and soldiers stationed periodically. These are not for show, they are actually there for control and protection.
Going to the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel was interesting for me, because it was a coming to terms with the fact that the North-South issues seem distant for us tourists, but they are a stark reality for the country of South Korea.

The Dora Observatory was breathtaking. Praise the Lord, we had a gorgeous day!! We could look across the DMZ, towards the mountains of North Korea. And it was beautiful.
Similar to the tunnel, I was confronted by two facts: North Korea seemed beautiful, and idyllic, and utterly paint-worthy, but the reality of the North Korean people's situation is anything but beautiful and idyllic.

Through the observation lenses (whatever they're called) I was able to see one of the propaganda villages, as well as the tall flag pole of North Korea (third tallest flag pole in the world). The buildings looked a little outdated, but clean, and peace full. This, coupled with the hazy mountains in the distance, the rolling woods in the front, and green fields in the back created a picture perfect world, that does not exist.

I have no real words for all the thoughts streaming through my mind, while gazing upon North Korea. I just know that I would love to speak to North Korean refugees one day, and hear their story personally; first hand facts of the true situation in North Korea.

Chart of the division of North Korea and South Korea

Freedom Bridge, outside of the DMZ where War Prisoners were exchanged after the truce

South Korean flags at the gate to the train tracks leading towards the
freedom bridge.

Me infront of the Freedom Bridge. I was unsure if I should smile or not, since this
is a serious subject, thus we have....Tessa's weird half smile! ;)

Jeju Island Day 2 and 3

Two weeks after the actual trip I finally get around to posting about the last two days of my Jeju Island adventure! Life of a University Student...busy...well, actually not that busy, but I've been struggling with a bit of a cold. Well, really I have no excuses for posting so late!
So, without further ado, here is my last post on Jeju Island:

Day 2 Part 1

After the weather fiasco of our first day on Jeju Island, we decided to go to the opposite side of the Island to see if the weather would be any better! And it was, praise the Lord! We had no rain, and even a little sun! It was beautiful.

The grass of Sangumburi made beautiful music!

 On the morning of the second day, we took the bus to inland south east. There we visited Sangumburi the world's only flat-land crater. It is over 250 meters deep (800 ft) and simply breathtaking! The fields around the crater are some sort of grass that rustles in the wind and turns silver in fall. When we arrived the fog was just lifting, and it gave the whole area a rather mystical air. I will attempt to capture it in a painting one of these days, but I haven't gotten around to it yet! :D

The crater itself. It seemed like the footprint of a giant.

 Day 2 Part 2

My first thought upon seeing Ilchulbong was,
"This is gonna be hard to paint!"

The steps of doooooooooom

After the crater, we took the bus a little farther to the actual coast, and I was not prepared for the sight. It was stunning! The Lord truly is artist of artists! Connected to the island by a thin strip of land rises a dormant volcano. It is over 250 meters high (800 ft) and can be hiked via steep stairs. The hike was tiring, but only took 20 min. (however 20 min. of continuous stair-climbing is exhausting!!!). At the top of the volcano our view was breathtaking.

The now dormant volcano.
You feel as if you are on the top of the world

The view overlooking Jeju Island from Ilchulbong volcano

Before us the blue of the ocean faded into the blue of the sky, creating a palette of hues. Behind us the island stretched out far; mountains rose gently in the distance, and a wall of fog and clouds could be seen miles off. However where we were the sun warmed us in the cold wind. It was magical!

Nature is hard to describe. I think that is why I like painting it. Painting comes closest to capturing the beauty of nature. Perhaps better writers could aptly describe the magnitude and underlying meanings nature holds for us humans. I'm sure Lewis or Tolkien could have done justice to it. However I can't. So I'll stop trying! Let it suffice to say, that I was in awe: In awe of nature, in awe of beauty and in awe of God who created it all.

The cliffs of Ilchulbong  

Day 3

Our last day on the island was once again spent in the southern part. We visited one of the three main waterfall sites on the island (Cheonjeyeon). The creek flows through a deep ravine into the ocean and is split into three waterfalls. The first one, seen below, only flows after heavy rains. 

The second is the most idyllic. I felt like I had entered a cove of the Pirates of the Caribbean! 

The third one took a while to climb down to, and was a little smaller and less magnificent. However it was fun gazing into the blue pool of water below, imagining the 6 foot eels swimming below. Supposedly they are a very delicious delicacy....I'm not sure I'll try that....

(I actually didn't take a picture of the third one....guilty as charged!)

Our last night in Jeju we went out and ate Korean Pork BBQ for dinner. It was very good! Our waitress served us seafood as a treat, including little baby octopus-like fish. I ate them! I am very proud for eating the tiny little tentacles! They were good, however I had to close my eyes to keep my imagination in place...

And that's all for tonight, folks!

The ocean on our second day at Jeju Island, at the foot of Ilchulbong

Jeju Island Day 1

Excerpt from my journal:

This was the easy part of the trail, soon after the path ended, and we started literally climbing over rocks

The first day here is coming to a close. I am exhausted. Stine (my roomie) and I tried to climb to the top of Mnt. Halla (tallest mountain in S. Korea) today. The hike is 9.6 km one way. On a good day, it takes an estimated 5 hours. Well, we seemed to have caught a bad day....this morning, I checked the weather forecast, which said, "0% chance of rain!" Once we arrived at the trail entrance, it was lightly drizzling, and rather foggy, but we were optimistic! However that didn't last long...before we knew it, we were drenched, having neither rain coat or umbrella. Still, we were determined, and hiked onward...for 3 hours.

Even though it was wet, cold, and clammy, the fog added an eery beauty to the forest.

I made 5.6 km of the trail, before I gave up. Soon after, Stine too turned around, and both of climbed down the trail. All 5.6 km. The whole hike, a little over 10 km (6.2mi), took us about 4 hours, and had the sun been shining, it would have been marvelous! Sadly, the sun was NOT shining, so our moods were rather more on the dark side....I have never, never been so drenched in my life!

The worst part wasn't the wet clothes, it was that my glasses kept getting fogged! ^_^

Unlike Seoul, Jeju Island is quiet. Silent; simply beautiful!

Insadong

A side street in Insadong

My friend and I set out this morning to find Bukchon Hanok village, where you can see traditional Korean architecture. After getting off at the correct subway stop, we decided to walk around Insadong first, which is a souvenir shopping area. Well...we never did make it to Bukchon! Maybe next time!

Street artists

The film shoot 

Along the way, we ran into a film crew. I'm not sure whether this was for a drama, commercial, or what not, but it was fascinating to watch the director talk to the actors, etc. After stopping in numerous shops, and after spending more money than I had meant to... (hehe..yeah...) we stumbled upon the Insadong-cultural center. Here you pay 3000 won (equivalent to 3 dollars) and get to play dress up in traditional Korean clothing! (Hanbok)

Below: The pictures

Traditional umbrella hat?

Beautiful!! ^^