DMZ Train (part 10): Going Back to Seoul

It's 17.20 and in ten minute-time, the Seoul-bound DMZ Train would depart. Everyone's queuing to enter the platform. No need to purchase the ticket since everyone ON DMZ Train tour MUST have bought return-ticket as one of the requirements. 

We just needed to return the name tags we got when we arrived at the Imjingang station security check-point three hours earlier.  

Now...the train was ready. As always we got to find our seats. Here came my 'happy' frustration since 8 of us were separated in 3 different compartments!!!!!!!! 

I love this picture. The kids were in queue embarking onto the train. What a cute little thing to cherish. 

Oops ...Mama also wanted me to take a picture of her embarking on the train.

Bon Voyage, Mama.^^ 

Now..let's enjoy the interior design especially the so many languages posted with the same message. I found Javanese language....^^ 

My first mother tongue: tentrem tresna harmoni^^ ㅋㅋㅋ

Though I know its individual words...still it doesn't make any sense at all..

even the Indonesian language translation is jumbled. that's too bad.

I wish the management had contacted someone who knows Indonesian language or Javanese.

I don't know about any other languages.

I looks like they translated the language using online dictionary:) so..it's all mixed up. 

Well...all in all..that 'minor'(?????really minor??) ^^ 'cough' did not ruin my holiday on DMZ train. In fact it sort of 'alleviated' the heat of summer...by looking into all of the posted words and pictures. 

Yes..it could be soothing at the same time. Walking from compartment to compartment ...admiring the pictures hung and posted on the ceilings and walls of the train. Most of them are surely about ecosystem found unobstructed within the DMZ. 

so..bye bye..Dorasan Station.

This picture was taken by Freya. ^^ Thank you, Freya.

DMZ Train (part 9): Returning to Dorasan Station

A view from the bus window where I was sitting. The other two buses that took us for the 2-hour tour @ DMZ were ahead of our bus, all were heading towards the Dorasan station where we'd take the 17.30 DMZ train back to Seoul. 

Along the way, I noticed and learned that this whole vast area was the very spot where all goods were transported back and forth between the two countries, especially to connect the South and the North's Gaesong industrial complex.  

Almost getting there...*gosh..the blistering sun* 

But..the nicely trimmed green lawn along the way...seen from the comfort of air-conditioned bus....was enough to cast away the heat. 

Passing by the Dorasan Peace Park.... 

before finally came to a complete stop right in front of Dorasan Station that marked the end of our 2-hour trip to DMZ. 

Show us your ID card, Mama.  

Getting off the bus and...entering Dorasan Station again. 

Time for some souvenirs hunting....

Then I bumped into (again and again)..The ONLY one chocolate in DMZ. I wonder if this marketing gimmick indeed enticed customers/tourists to buy them, though. 

A facade of DMZ souvenir shop @ Dorasan Station.  

The very place where we booked our bus tour that day. 

and..the kids seemed to have extra energy to run around the station....

DMZ Train (part 8): The 3rd Tunnel

In front of the 3rd tunnel entrance. There were these two 헌병 or police officers mostly found around the DMZ area. But...these ones were...well, statues. Oh, well.. 

Let's get back to the bus... 

but..not just yet..since we got to take a must-do pose @ the site. Photographing ourselves in/on/at/over this DMZ signage. 

Why not? D for Mama, M for Eyra, and Z for me. 

For any one visiting this site...it looks to be a not-to-be-missed pose. 

What about this one? 

Though not necessarily, but for the kids..it intrigued them to get a better understanding as to why such a place does exist in the first place. By looking at the symbolic meaning of this statue.....they learn what the whole thing was all about. 

Eyra, at least, came to understand more about the present state of North-South relation.

And..that's what the tour was all about.

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).