A comfortable and uneventful fight to Incheon Airport, Seoul. Our Hotel is in Myeongdong, and is surrounded by shops and eating places. The weather in Seoul is warm .. around 30 degrees .. and cloudy and extremely humid. Hard work for the Old Phart explorers, who like to walk everywhere.
To enter Korea, you must have a negative Covid Rat test within 24 hours of departure. When we arrive, we are informed we must have a PCR test within 24 hours of arrival. That is easily arranged, and $150 NZ each later!
The Pharts returned to the hotel after lunch, in need of a wee rest. Quite a lot of walking was done, and the high humidity made it very draining.
However, after an hour we were ready to go. Near the hotel is Namsan Park, with the N Seoul Tower. There is a cable car running, so we caught it up, and walked back down. Great views, hindered a little by hazy cloud.
Another warm and humid day in Seoul, so whilst we await the results of our PCR test, we decide to go exploring.So, loaded with plenty of water, we headed firstly to Tapgol Park.The park features the Monument of Wongak-sa, built in 1471. There were large gatherings of older gentlemen, watching movies and playing checkers. It was then up to Bukchon Hanok Village, home to hundreds of traditional houses, called Hanok. And just across from the Village, the Changdeokgung Palace. It is one of five great palaces built by the Joseon Dynasty.
We then walked through Jongmyo Park, followed the Cheong-gye-cheon, an 11km stream that runs through downtown Seoul. Back to the Royal Hotel for a well earned rest and rehydrate!
For the final full day in Seoul, the Pharts decide to book the half day Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) tour. Alarm set for a 6:15am pick up! Seoul is not too far from the border. About an hour and 15 minutes on the bus.
First stop on the trip is Imjingak Park, just 7kms from the DMZ,with a number of monuments and sights to see here.Many events for Unification are held at Imjingak.
Its back on the bus for our next stop, the Dora Observatory. It is at the northern most point of the Military Demarkation Line.From here visitors can overlook North Korea.
Near the Observatory is the Third Tunnel, an infiltration tunnel built by North Korea, and found in 1978.Tourists are able to walk part of tunnel, which begins with a steep descent. The ceiling then gets very low, thus the need for hard hats. It is blocked off at a point preventing crossing the border.
This has been an interesting tour, particularly the history of the Korean War, and the hope Korea may one day be unified as one country.
Back to Seoul on a road which follows the river. At one point, North Korea is directly across the river. A barbed wire fence, sentry posts and cameras keep the people in their own countries!
Our time away has come to an end. Seoul has been an enjoyable conclusion, but it’s time to head home. So to Hamilton, ”City of the Future.”