Korea, 28 Oct 2010, Day 2, Goseong Unification Observatory

On the way to the Goseong Unification Observatory, we took what was reputedly the most beautiful coastal drive in Korea, with stretches of crystal blue ocean.

To get to the Observatory, we had to pass through Tongilanbo Park, part of South Korea's security site. Tommy had earlier had our passports cleared and as we drove up to the barricade, we were stopped by cute looking soldiers (the movie star type with their dark shades). They probably looked real cool because they were not smiling (some men look silly when they smile). We wouldn't have minded if they took a little longer clearing our passes... :-)

We forgot the soldiers as soon as we got to the Observatory. The Observatory was built in 1983 by an army unit. The views were awesome.  That's part of North Korea.  You can see Mt. Geumgangsan in the background.

Mt. Geumgangsan is a beautiful mountain resort in North Korea.  Between 1998 and 2008, South Korean tourists were allowed to visit the resort.  The tours were suspended by South Korea after a South Korean tourist was shot and killed in July 2008 while walking along the beach of the resort.  The North Koreans claimed that she had defied orders by soldiers to stop.  South Korean demands for an on-the-spot survey were declined by the North Koreans. Since then, the South had refused to resume the tours despite threats from the North. 

There were veterans visiting the Observatory that day.  One kind veteran came by and told us the way to take to avoid the steps.  And that way took us to the northernmost church in South Korea!

We had to explore the chapel.  It was open, of course.  It was small, accommodating perhaps 100 worshippers, beautiful, and very homely. We should have taken pictures of the chapel, but it was the view of the pulpit that took our breath away.

With a view like this, who would be paying attention to the sermon?













Most parts of the Observatory were not accessible to wheelchairs, but there was a viewing gallery that was.  So was the souvenir-snack shop.  We took a quick snack for (late) lunch.  It was a very interesting snack (what's its name?)  made on the spot: a panfried pancake roll with dongfen and fermented spicy radish filling. The pancake skin tasted like it had been made from a mix of rice flour, glutinous rice flour and tapioca flour.  Yummy.

Off to our next destination!  But before that, a final look at the cute soldiers as we waved our goodbyes.