Korea Day 3 (8th May 2013)- Sponsored by Korea Tourism Organization Singapore

Hello everyone!

Today I will be blogging about my 3rd day of my Korea Trip, 

DMZ Combined Tour, Gwangjang Market (광장시장) and Myeongdong !

OOTD (3rd day)

After breakfast at our hotel in Fraser Place Central Seoul, we walked to Seodaemun Station (Sangil-dong bound) àTransfer at Euljiro 4-ga (Seongsu CCW bound) à Euljiro 1-ga. Then walked up to Lotte Hotel.

This is the Lotte Hotel, DMZ Service Club where we got our 

DMZ Combined Tour tickets (120, 000 Won/per ticket). 

More info:

http://www.koreadmztour.com/en/program/?p_url=program_2

Finally we reached DMZ!

and ya before I show you all more photo of DMZ.

DMZ means Korean Demilitarized Zone.

Korea is the only divided country in the world. After the Korean War (June 25 1950 – July 27 1953), South Korea and North Korea established a border that cut the Korean peninsula roughly in half. Stretching for 2km on either side of this border is the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). 

Because of that, it is also the most heavily armed border in the world, it is extremely rare that any hostilities take place. These day the DMZ is a safe tourism attraction place to go. The DMZ and its surroundings contain many interesting historical sights and pristine untouched natural surroundings.

Nowaday many organization offer DMZ guided tours.  Itineraries may be differ, but most tours will take visitors to an observatory, one of North Korea’s infiltration tunnels, a military base, and right into Panmunjeom, the Joint Security Area in the middle of the DMZ where negotiations between the two sides took place.

 Me (Right) & Shanon (Left) posing for a shadow shot!

 I think I looked tired in this photo.... =(

 Having fun exploring Korea!!! So happy!!! *Wink Wink!

 Beautiful flowers!

 DMZ map

 Touring around

 We took a tunnel ride at the 3rd tunnel!

The 3rd Tunnel was discovered on October 17, 1978. It is located 52km from Seoul. It was estimated that it took approximately an hour for 10,000 soldiers to move through the tunnel. When this tunnel was first discovered, North Koreans insisted it was made by South Koreans in a plot to invade North Korea. However, this theory proved eventually to be false.

 Next stop we went to the Dora Observatory, on top a hilll, overlooking the DMZ. 

There are soldier there warning us not to take photograph unless from far. I remember they even draw a box, only allowed photograpy outisde the box.

 Yes, that the box! You only can take photo behind the yellow line.

 From the binoculars, I managed to spot the South Korean flag in the territories, and also the North Korean one in their territories.

The place I am standing in this picture is the  Joint Security Area where negotiations between the two sides took place.

At the room, we are given opportunity to take photo with the soldier under one condition- One meter apart with the soldier when taking photo. No touching them of cause.

Me and Shannon quickly took this rare photo opportunity with the South Korea Soldier.

 Heavily guarded to ensure security.

 At DMZ, you can also grab DMZ souvenirs (Tee shirts, chocolate, etc)

 This is the collectible figurine of the North and South Korea.

 The Korail

Up the bus to go for our Korean Lunch.

 We had delicious authentic Korean Bulgogi in this restaurant.

The ingredients used were fresh.  The beef was tender and juicy.

 Lifang, me and Shannon were so starving but I requested for a group photo 1st.

I have never really sit down this way to enjoy Korean Cuisine and it was quite unique and interesting!
Feel more cozy eating this way with friends.

 The place I am standing in this photo is the Joint Security Area.

 Memorial for the two U.S. Army officers killed during the Axe Murder Incident.

 

Before leaving DMZ, me and Shannon manage to tale photo with the  friendly American Soldier.

 After DMZ Tour, we took subway to Euljiro 4-ga station to go to Gwangjang Market (광장시장).

Before reaching Gwangjang Market (광장시장) we went into this small unique cafe- Cafe Eum. They served nice drinks and snacks.

We're here at Gwangjang Market (광장시장) !!!

The map infront of Gwangjang Market (광장시장).

 At Gwangjang Market (광장시장), you are able to find textile materials.

 Want to get some korean style textile, come to Gwangjang Market (광장시장) and you will not be disappointed.

 Beside that Gwangjang Market (광장시장) also offers fresh fruits. 

I bought a tray of fresh juicy strawberries from the stall.

 They also have nicely designed and packed ricecake

Can you believe this are all ricecake... =p

They sold Kimchi there too and I bought 2kg of Kimchi home cause my family love them.

My friends once told me that there are more than 100 varieties of Kimchi and now I believe after visiting Korea!

After dinner at Gwangjang Market (광장시장), we went to for shopping at shopping at Myeongdong. 

 I really love the happening night life here in Korea. Over here, you can shop for facial mask, fashionable clothes and accessories.

.I bought some skincare product- Prestige Creme D'Escagot and masks which was recommended by my friend from the It's Skin in Korea.

Wow we spotted a 3 storey high Gong Cha there!

I wondering Singapore when then will have something like this. LOL...

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Ok Myeongdong was our last stop that day.

You can tell we are exhausted after travelling to so many places in a day. =(

Although it was tiring, but it was a fruitful day for me. Everyday was an exciting day for me to explore Korea more.

Do also read on my other blogpost:

Day 1 & 2
Check in Fraser Place Central Seoul, International Horticulture Goyang Korea 2013 Exhibition, Snow Park at One Mount, Western Dom
Click here to read.

Day 4:

Nami Island (남이섬), Petite France (쁘띠프랑스), Dinner: Shindang-dong Mabokrim Grandma Tteokbokki

Click here to read.

Day 5:

 Yongmun Five-day Market (용문전통시장), Yangpyeong Railbike (양평레일바이크), Strawberry Picking, Dinner at Gureum Cafe (구름가페)

Click here to read.

Day 6:

 Apgujeong Rodeo Street (압구정 로데오 거리), Cheongdamdong (청담동거리),  Shopping at Gangnam Underground Shopping Arcade  (강남 고속터미널 지하강가)

Click here to read.

Day 7 & 8:

 Seoul City Tour Bus (City Circulation Tour), Bimbap (Korean Non-verbal Performance), Hongik Uni Shopping Street (홍대)
Click here to read.

For more infomation on Korea:

http://www.visitkorea.or.kr