DMZ Train Trip (part 6): Dora Observatory

The first spot we visited was Dorasan Observatory where we could use binoculars to take a peep into North Korea. With just 500 Won (coins), we could use the tool to see North Korea. Too bad, the weather was so hot that we barely saw a thing. And we're not allowed to take pictures too close....with the tools. I didn't know why...though..

But...at least I could use my 15-minute visit to take some other shots of the observatory.

The typical army color and pattern like the ones are on the next list of wish list.

People were seen looking into North Korea to satisfy their curiosty.

Then..more pictures...

and more...

End of separation....

Beginning of Unification.

Now..the group picture minus me, ya.

빨리 빨리 get on the bus, quick..quick....I felt the heat ...as well as...my sore feet:)

"Freya...are you okay?"

DMZ TRAIN (part 5)

Now we're approaching the Dorasan Station and I took some snaps of the pictures while crossing the river. It's so green and peaceful. The blue sky and some clouds hovering above...with the vast green field...that encapsulate the scenery..really soothed the eyes.

Then we also witnessed what-used-to-be a bridge left untouched in the post-war Korea.

I couldn't take any more pics since it turned out that we're not allowed to take some pics...oops.  

Anyway...we safely arrived at the last station we're heading to: Dorasan station.

It's modern, chic, and yet..it would've been dead eerie had there been no tourists coming into it on a daily basis. So...had it not been stated that it's open for everyone, and..the pic like this was posted on a web, it would've been easily mistaken for any modern station across Korea...or in any other country. 

Yet...this is Dorasan Station: the very station that South Korea would gladly use to INITIATE its long-lost-dream of uniting the peninsula and connecting it with the rest of the world via trans-Siberia railroad.  

"Welcome to Dorasan"

Freya, as always, was the one who'd be more than willing to step up...

and be 'in' the picture.

DMZ TRAIN (part 4)

Security Check-Point @ Imjingang Station. This is what I mean by 'scorching+exposing ourselves both to the security and the SUN.^^ Yes, we got to get out of the train and got ourselves standing in queue under the blistering summer heat^^ It was 33 degrees Celsius!! No Kidding. 

Each of us (even babies were ordered to do this)^^must bring our ID card and the completed forms. 

Then...another queue inside the building where two officers would check and match the forms and the ID we brought. It took only a minute or less. 

Then...we were ready to embark on the train again...continuing our trip to Dorasan station--our last destination. 

While waiting for other passengers to finish being checked, we might as well use the opportunity to take some pics in front of the 임진강 Imjingang Station signboard as an 인증썃.  

Notice the green name tag hanging on our necks? Yes, that's the ID card we must bring during the whole tour within the Demilitarized Zone. 

It looked so fun, well it was FUN....but ....HEat HeAT...HEAT....^^ 

The good side: we did not need any flash to take any pics. 

Imjingang station is the station prior entering the Dorasan station (station within the DMZ!!). 

One more look into the train before departing. Some passengers were seen still..taking some AHA moment in front of the train. It's be just an ordinary-looking situation at any train station in Korea had I not added any information that I did take it @ Imjingang. 

Tadah....Eyra and Freya now got their 'passport' to take the tour within the DMZ.

DMZ TRAIN (part 3)

One more special feature of the DMZ Train trip is that apart from having to bring our ID card (passport/alien card), we also have to fill out two forms of our identity as a visitor. Both the forms and the ID card must be presented at the Imjingak Station immigration/security check point. 

The left part is to be presented when we booked the trip after arriving at Dorasan Station.

The right part is to be presented to the officer in charge of the bus* we take for the tour. 

Yes...the bus...since we'd take the bus tour starting from Dorasan station.

Even Freya was so excited of signing her own autograph...Yes...it's in Hangeul, of course. 

She seemed to be so seriously immersed in filling out the form, though. 

Passing some sort of factory I was not sure where..but surely on our way to Dorasan. 

Another look into the train interior. Ooops...I thought I was in Love compartment, it turned out that we're at Harmony compartment or 화합실.
The fun part of the train was that the TV kept on displaying informative news about our trip, also occasionally, the camera (via CCTV) deliberately took the shots of our activities on the train and broadcasting them live to all compartments for us to enjoy. 

The one-hour-and-a-half-trip was truly a memorable one since the kids could do lots of things...there were also tables and snack-corner to cater the needs of its customer's appetite for in-between snacks. 

Practically...Dorasan Station..the place we're heading to.....is a station WITHIN the demilitarized zone..which means that we have to be alert or aware of where we were along the way. 

Oh..in one section of the train, I noticed lots of people posting or hanging the postcards ...wishing the good future of South-North relation. 

Then..you could also put a stamp on it to prove that you HAVE been to Dorasan via DMZ Train or 평화열차.

It's definitely another experience to root for.

DMZ TRAIN (part 2)

DMZ Train or Demilitarized Train or 평화열차 (literally "Peace Train") in Korean. Prior to embarking on the train, Freya took a pose in front of the train. Judging from the exterior of the train..it surely is a tourist train that caters the need of everyone's imagination of what it'd be like to take 1.5 hour ride to the border of South-North Korea. 

Group picture. We're travelling with Mr. Nugroho and his family who happens to be in Seoul for a 3-week visit. This is our treat to take them to the trip into one-and-only place on earth where one nation divided into two. 

Since our family has not been to the DMZ as well, I think it'd be a good chance for the kids to learn one or two about Korean history as well. So...that's why we booked 8 tickets!!! Oh, it turned out that the train was full of kids with parents...or parents with the kids...with the same intention as I did have I suppose? 

There are three compartments with different themes: Love, Peace, and Harmony.

This is Love-themed compartment where we had our seats. 

The television above displays real-time view of the upfront view of the locomotive so as to give its passengers the live-show of where the train was heading. 

The interior of the train was really packed with everything: photos of mostly historical events related to the South-North Civil War, current development of Korea, the Korail itself, or...sentences with the same message: Peace Loving Harmony??? in various language...of course Indonesian language is included. But...I found Javanese, too. 

Just look at the floor!!! Isn't it cool?

I mean..we would be pampered with bright and colorful displays of interior dexterity(?) that would be likable or distasteful for some. Well, it depends. But as for me..

it's wickedly designed to keep the passengers guessing and keep on talking about it. 

DMZ TRAIN (part 1)

Finally, we got a chance to 'taste' the newly released tourist-train called 'DMZ Train' offered by Korail. Since it's getting more and more popular among tourists and locals alike, I got to reserve the tickets before hands. 

But..boy oh boy..the long queue @ Seoul Station started to wear me down since I was a bit hopeless as to whether I would get any seats. 

But...with finger crossed....that no matter what happened, there'd always be another day... 

Yeaaach..finally...I managed to book 8 tickets (4 adults, 4 children) to Dorasan Station. The most northern station(?)..the last station at the northern side of South Korea ..closest to North Korea. Since the morning train was fully booked, I got no option but to take the afternoon train....departing from Seoul at  13.30!!!

(Gee..what a hot summer it'd be). 

And..the characteristics of DMZ Train was that all passengers must purchase return ticket as well. So, we'd go back to Seoul at 17.30 the same day.

The price was okay...it's around 16,000 Won (return-adult)

and 8,800 Won (return-child).

More Students Are Coming to Town...

On the 3rd day of Idul Fitri, my students, Lina and Norwegia, came to our open house dinner. No..it's not a real dinner...just in time when we're about to have some dinner, Lina and Norwegia..along with their newly-met friend, Tenry, from Semarang.

At around 8 pm, they were just in time for us to have dinner..so...why not just ask them..I mean invite them all? 

Lina, Norway and Tenry were..I think-- a bit sleepy--after having Lontong Opor Ayam. 

Yes...they were many other students currently studying @ Korea.  

and this time around, those three girls were the ones who came to our home.

adn next week....more are coming.

Happy Eid, everyone.

Summer Treat

What would a summer treat in Korea be without any ice cream or patpingsu?

So, the other day...just when I thought the girls were home, it turned out that they were hanging out in the neighborhood's one and only Paris Baguette Cafe.

I learned it from my wife's Kakao Talk message..telling me that they were cooling OFF themselves in the air-conditioned cafe at Paris Baguette. 

Just in time when they're about to finish...I took a snap pic of their FUN from the street. 

Before entering the cafe, I managed to take one more shot at their 'cooling-off' afternoon activity at the 2nd floor of Paris Baguette. 

no..not this one. It's another SUMMER treat we had..the other day.

Actually we'd just finished having a dinner invitation..and yet...we did not go home right afterwards..instead..we veered off into...Baskin R's ice cream. 

Back to Paris Baguette, it's the fruit-patpingu that they ordered. 

And this is the very picture that they sent me..to entice or lure me to come...^^