Sat, 4th June 2011
05.00 am – Rise early again for a new start. After Subuh, ate breakfast which is roti telur by Wani. She was doing all the breakfast preparation while I was performing my solat. What a lucky person to travel with (me!).. huhu. We took 6.16am bus no 152 downhill for the DMZ tour. At this moment, I was riding the bus towards Samgakji.
The breakfast today .. above average
Last night we went back to Anne’s apartment quite late. The same scenario with KL here and there. Some things are better than KL, for instance even if there is any traffic jams, it’s not as bad in KL, and the toll only exist on very few places. The taxi drivers are also don’t charge more than what we saw on the meter, no matter how far or rural that place. In terms of cleanliness, I think KL is much better in tourist attractions places. I would not recommend driving here coz the traffic light and the junction entrance system are quite confusing and honestly I think the drivers are much more faster eventhough in traffic jams. The internet is really good, that it will outdo you while picking pictures to upload on the net. And the public transport system is very reliable, even for very rural areas like Samcheok. People are very helpful to tourists, no matter if you are Asians. Most importantly, people who I met are honest and I can’t help but feeling safer around. Women can live by themselves without extreme fear.
The hilly road leading to Anne's apartment
07.10 – We arrived at the USO office, a bit late, when we were supposed to be there at 7 for briefing. After passport check, we got up on the bus and departed at 7.30 (time is precise, here). Got really tired and slept in the bus till we arrived there at 8.30. There are two US army acted as our tour guide on JSA visit. Joint Security Army (JSA) is where South Korea army jointly guard the border with US soldiers and 10 officers from Switzerland. We were taken through routes of DMZ (dematerialized zone) where the border of North and South Korea is defined. The places are full of camera restriction order, so not much pictures can be taken but to experience.
Me with a Korean army. There's our tourist guide for today, Officer Pang from US army in JSA.
The north Korea's building in grey, while blue buildings are South Koreans'.
Apart from JSA camp, we also visited Dora Observatory (where we can see the North Korea through binoculars), the Dorasan train station (the train station leading to North Korea that make it possible for South Korea to go to Russia and China by train, but unfortunately stopped the service due to a tourist shot dead at the next station due to not having identification with her/him). That must be the most visited train station which has no service in it. We also saw two villages in the neutral zone, one nearer to the south and the other is within the North Korea boundary. These villagers are very special as their life is guarded by the army of both sides. I also had the opportunity to visit the 3rd tunnel (out of 4).
Brief about the Dorasan station.. tragic.
2.30 pm – departed for Seoul again. Along the way, we were presented with a movie tittle, “JSA”. It’s a fiction, but South Korean believe it can be a reality. About 2 South Koreans became best friend with their 2 North Korean brothers. One day, they were caught having a party together. The tension afterwards made they carried out suicide, one after another. Even our tourist guide (a Korean Lady) asked us to pray that the Korean will be united someday. Apparently, the Koreans feel that they are related, but the political views and personal gain make the citizens’ dream difficult to reach. May there be peace around the world, and for that I thank Allah that we Malaysians don’t have to suffer from any war or natural disasters.
Dalam pada itu, kalau benar kita memang bersatu sebagai rakyat Malaysia, kenapa rakyat masih merasa tidak cukup?.. Kenapa saya sendiri merasa bahawa perempuan2x dan kanak2x patut sentiasa berhati2x dan tidak merasa selamat di tanahair sendiri? Kenapa kita sebagai pelanggan harus membayar harga yang tinggi utk perkhidmatan dan barangan yang bertaraf sub standard? (Ini ditujukan khas utk Astro dengan servis yang tersekat2x & bank-bank yang sangat gemar utk caj perkara2x kecik termasuklah bayaran guaman utk pinjaman perumahan, sedangkan peguam tersebut akan bertindak menjaga kepentingan bank sendiri??!!!). Saya sayangkan negara ini, dan bersyukur serta sedar bahawa hidup kita di sini jauh lebih baik dari negara2x yang sebahagiannya sudah merdeka lebih awal dari Malaysia. Tapi secara jujurnya saya fikir rakyat berhak menikmati kualiti hidup yang lebih baik & bermaruah. Sekian, terima kasih.
Selain daripada itu, hari ni saya menyahut seruan pemimpin kita yang pernah menyarankan supaya Malaysians berbangga dengan produk tempatan. Today, saya pakai baju batik dan kuang.. kuang.. kuang.. sekurang2x nya 3 org hari ni memuji kecantikan batik Tganu, siap depa bertanya lagi di mana saya beli. Saya dengan bangganya cakap ni khas dari Malaysia, kainnya pun sedap dipakai dalam cuaca panas etc. Wani sendiri dah beli 2 helai kaftan batik Tganu dan semua org pun excited dgn keunikan corak lukisan tangan, pakai lilin bla.. bla..
3.30 pm – We safely arrived at Seoul. I bought the JSA armband as a souvenir to myself. One day, when the Koreans are united like what happened in Berlin, we probably won’t find the same armband anywhere. To me, the visit is worth every cents spent. We thought of cook some dinner for Anne and her friends and so, we went to Itaewon to buy halal chicken and some other cooking stuff. In Itaewon, there were also rows of clothing shops which offer good prices (these are very cheap and more practical clothing in terms of fashion to me compared to what they offered in Dongdaemun). Finally, we went back to Anne’s and cook the dinner.
7.00 pm – This is the second day that we spent at Anne’s and yet this is our first time meeting her. She is this nice lady with warm face American. Also, there was Sheila from UK and Karen from US as well. All of them are teachers in South Korea (only Anne lives in Seoul). Using Brahim’s perencah instant, we cooked Ayam Masak Merah add with Ayam Masak Madu. We also have Pak Choi with Oyster Sauce. They love it to pieces. It’s a bit Chinese & Malay at the same time. So guys, food are what really charming about Malaysia to our visitors. Especially to those who are living and like Asians food 
.
Setiap sorang tambah sekurang2x nya sekali lagi nasi. Dah habis nasi, ratah pula ayam masak merah tu sekurang2x nya dua-tiga ketul lagi. Really honoured to cook them the meal. After dinner, we went out again to Dongdaemun, while the other ladies went to meet their friends for drinks.
Dongdaemun offers a lot of fashion clothing, accessories, shoes and bags. But you will be surprised at how expensive these are if you just shop for your own use (not for retailing and buying in bulk). I would suggest that you visit Itaewon (for clothes and leather goods) or Insadong area (for souvenirs). And for this reason, though this must be the 3rd time that we went to Dongdaemun and each time the same stories again : we went back home without buying anything.
12.00 am – We safely arrived at home with aching foot and body. It seems that we have used all our energy to the max. Luckily, we managed to catch the last bus back to Byuksan apartment. Just like in many cities, most public transport service will end around midnight.
