DMZ - part 2

It was time to see Panmumjon and remember I said security was tight. This time around to enter the DMZ, we had to show our passports. Then we had to show them again to enter Panmumjon, followed by wearing a "guest" badge while there. They weren't playing around when it came to security. We had to view a short video and then it was on another special bus, that was driven by a SK soldier, with an SK soldier accompaning us and a car ahead of us driven by an SK soldier. We made it safe to the building went in.

They told we were about to go outside and see the 38th parallel as well as NK soldiers. We were not suppose to make any sudden movements, no pointing, no talking loud, and only take pictures when they told us. This wasn't exactly an easy place to be for me, who would totally do all those things. So we went outside and here are some pictures:

This is what we saw..those are SK soldiers and in the far back is a NK soldier


NK solider up close or as far as my zoom would go...and yes he is holding binoculars and looking at us


Mike and I...


Next we went into the middle building, which is where they hold peace talks. The metal things on the table represent the line b/w N and S Korea.


The metal on the table actually lined up with this slab outside marking the divide. First we were in S. Korea and then...


in N. Korea...This soldier was placed there to protect us. Our guide said that N.Koreans would open the door behind him and try to take S.Koreans during talks. Scary


He was very serious


After seeing this, our tour was basically over, but still really cool. We boarded our bus again and they showed us a few more places. This is the bridge of no return, being once you cross it, you can't come back.


All in all a very good tour and we were both glad we did it. It was scary at times because we could hear loud noises off in the distance...hmmm We also learned alot about their history and the conflict between N and S.