DMZ Train (part 7): The 3rd Tunnel Tour

The 2nd spot we visited was the 3rd tunnel or 제3땅굴. It's believed to be North Korea-made tunnel though others believed it used to be the abandoned coal mining tunnel. (hmm..which one's correct?) Anyhow...the tour gave us a grim look into what-used-to-be a grim sight of the civil war in the Peninsula.  

After walking down and up the tunnel (around 350 meters deep down below), we finally made it to the entrance again. Time to return the yellow safety helmet we put on during the tour. Eyra and Freya seemed relieved to have finally reached the surface (again).^^

But..it was worth-it, right, Dear? 

Gee...we're not supposed to take any pictures on the whole sites..but thankfully..we could see the whole tunnel via this CCTV..so...not to waste any time..I just snapped the picture to give a whole view of the movement inside the tunnel from varied angles.  

Time to the souvenir shop just around the corner. And found this intriguing rice. It's called 통일촌 특미 (the special grain of unification zone).

DMZ 통일촌 농산물 ( The agricultural product of DMZ Unification Zone).

Right..I don't see this product at any general stores across Seoul...so I guess this IS special in itself. I wish they had 1 kg of rice to bring home as souvenirs. 

How in the world would I be able to bring the 20 kg rice as souvenir?????? 

so...let's just take one more picture in front of the 3rd tunnel entrance. 

With Pak Nugroho's family. 

and ...wait....I thought I had two daughters:-) 

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 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).

Dorasan Station

 Dorasan Station is the northernmost international station located over 700 meters from the DMZ. First thing first, what's the point of making all of this station, then...if it is not even being used just yet. From the negative point of view such as the huge money it must've been used to build this station, it looks like it is just in vain.

But, seen from the positive pint of view, I think it somehow represents the spirit and the high hopes of uniting the once united peninsula through railroad. I myself kinda recollected some dreams of being able to ride on a train from South Korea towards the North Korea which then surely leads to Russia up until Central Asia, Europe..or better yet...to Southeast Asia. Well, why not. It is all possible, though.

The place itself --I think-- is a kind of more of symbolic venue rather than a real usable one. Being symbolic in a sense that it represents the currently divided Korea.  

But, at the same time...by looking at or judging from the sophisticated facilities installed inside the station, one cannot refrain himself from referring it as another symbol of 'unification' once the real one is achieved. Well, even if it is not unification, the mere fact that the free flow of transportation between people and goods is agreed to achieve between the two Korea, this station will surely hold its importance.

See the resemblance of this station with the currently existing modern stations across South Korea? That's how similar and life-like this Dorasan station is. I felt like this station is alive when the visitors or tourists are flocking inside it. 

I hope someday that people from all walks of like could just freely use this station for the betterment of both Korea's relation. 

Once again I want to paraphrase that this station possesses a historical meaning and significance in the sense that it will someday serve as the gateway for interchange between the South and the North. 

Especially, it is widely known that after the completion of Seoul (South Korea) -- Sinuiju (North Korea) railway line, the chances are bigger to open up this line leading into the North.

When I visited this Dorasan station, something attracted me, i.e. a beautifully written sentence that best describes the station:

남쪽의 마지막 역이 아니라, 복쪽으로 가는 첫번째 역입니다.

"Not the last station from the South, but the first station towards the North."

Imjingak 9DMZ ....)

I went to Imjingak with a bunch of my friends from the Korea Brand Communicator. Thanks to Korea's Presidential Council on Nation Branding.....coz it was one of its programs for its members to enjoy and see for themselves the famous DMZ.  I went there to visit several places related with the current North-South Border zones where a war truce between the two countries are still vividly visible. 

The bridge above is called the Bridge of Freedom. I learned that it was built to free the prisoners as many as 12,773 in 1953. They were released from the North and then they got to reach the Gyeongui railway line bridge by car and then..they got to walk across this famous bridge--nowadays called as the Bridge of Freedom. 

It was so hot that day that I got to find a shade so as to relax and take a deep breath of the stifling heat. It looks fine on the picture, but ...OMG..it was so hot that day. The heat kinda reflected the must-have-been hard times the prisoners must have had during the war.

I was circling the circle on my way back home. This is the spot where I was right underneath the bridge and then took my time to take the picture. It was fully made of wood or steel I can't make it out but one thing for sure...it was still intact and most importantly..this standing 'bridge of freedom' symbolizes the longing for freedom in the time of hardships: to cross over some hurdles in reaching out the better world.

This one is what is best known as the Steam locomotive that survived the bombardment from the North.

Just look at the close-up shot below:

  This steam locomotive is a symbol of the tragic history of the division between North and South Korea. This locomotive has been left stranded like this in the DMA since it was derailed by bombs during the Korean war. But, of course, the one being displayed here had undergone thorough inspection to stand the test of time for years to come and for generations to learn about the past.

철마는 달리고 싶다 .'Let the Iron Horse Run Again.'

I think it painfully describes the fact how desperate it is for the train and any future trains to run through the existing railways connecting the North and South. 

As for me, I do hope that this will someday be a dream comes true.

This is the real railways that will enable to transport people and goods once the free flow of traffics between the two countries is opened. Until then, let's hope and pray for the best.

 

I think it is the 'Bridge of freedom' that I was referring to earlier in this entry. I took the picture from up above and a bit way further from the bridge itself. Oh, I saw some remaining Spring flowers. (or they were Summer flowers, actually?) could not know it for sure.

As bright and beautiful as they look, the meaning beyond them does not look so. Well, some hopes and prayers were written on those colorful ribbon to signify the peaceful peninsula. But, the mere fact that they've been there for years.....remains a difficult task and seems to be a far-reaching dream. 

Yet, dreams do come true at times.