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Travel Part 2 - Where ya headed?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Gurtholfin
  • Start date Start date
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Re: Travel Part 2 - Where ya headed?

So, I basically have about 36 hours in Seoul next month. Arrive ~4:30 PM KST on Friday Dec. 15th, depart ~11:30 AM on Sunday Dec. 17th.

Booked the Millennium Hilton with points, but obviously I wanna do this Bourdain "The Layover" style, and just use my hotel as a crashpad.

Do I have the time/ability on Saturday to visit the DMZ and the Bridge of No Return? Or is it too far/has restrictions, and there is better stuff to do in town on a quick, whirlwind trip?

Anything I need to be sensitive to/aware of culturally, as an Anglo American slob? :p

And mookie, if you're reading this, I already know what your advice will be (NSFW!)
 
FadeToBlack&Gold said:
So, I basically have about 36 hours in Seoul next month. Arrive ~4:30 PM KST on Friday Dec. 15th, depart ~11:30 AM on Sunday Dec. 17th.

Booked the Millennium Hilton with points, but obviously I wanna do this Bourdain "The Layover" style, and just use my hotel as a crashpad.

Do I have the time/ability on Saturday to visit the DMZ and the Bridge of No Return? Or is it too far/has restrictions, and there is better stuff to do in town on a quick, whirlwind trip?

Anything I need to be sensitive to/aware of culturally, as an Anglo American slob? :p

And mookie, if you're reading this, I already know what your advice will be (NSFW!)
Click to expand...

I highly recommend the DMZ tour. Make sure you get the one that also stops at the JSA, where you can step across the border in the conference room. They sell out quickly so book it in advance. We took the one that leaves from the front gate of the Yongsan Garrison.
 
Re: Travel Part 2 - Where ya headed?

So the two week trip I was going to be taking to Israel in June (HOT) was shortened to one week. The second week will be in Milan instead!
 
Re: Travel Part 2 - Where ya headed?

theprofromdover said:
I highly recommend the DMZ tour. Make sure you get the one that also stops at the JSA, where you can step across the border in the conference room. They sell out quickly so book it in advance.
Click to expand...

Thanks, just took care of that right away. After getting screwed out of the Statue of Liberty on my first trip to Manhattan (because the summer tours sell out months in advance) I didn't want to take any chances, and was able to get into a DMZ/JSA tour group on Saturday the 16th. There was something about the UN requiring a color photocopy of my passport to enter the JSA, I assume I will be contacted about that shortly. I have it ready, it's just that there was no place to attach it to the booking. And I'm sure there will be a checkpoint where they stop to check everyone's ID.

EDIT: Voucher instructions for the tour told me where to send the scan. I should be good.
 
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Re: Travel Part 2 - Where ya headed?

FadeToBlack&Gold said:
Thanks, just took care of that right away. After getting screwed out of the Statue of Liberty on my first trip to Manhattan (because the summer tours sell out months in advance) I didn't want to take any chances, and was able to get into a DMZ/JSA tour group on Saturday the 16th. There was something about the UN requiring a color photocopy of my passport to enter the JSA, I assume I will be contacted about that shortly. I have it ready, it's just that there was no place to attach it to the booking. And I'm sure there will be a checkpoint where they stop to check everyone's ID.

EDIT: Voucher instructions for the tour told me where to send the scan. I should be good.
Click to expand...

And bring your passport with you.
 
Re: Travel Part 2 - Where ya headed?

FadeToBlack&Gold said:
Goes without saying. :) Reviews seem to indicate that you'll have to surrender it to the tour guide, and they handle the officials.
Click to expand...

Either ROK or US soldiers will come on board to check them also when you get near the JSA. I hope you like sunglasses! ;-)
 
Re: Travel Part 2 - Where ya headed?

I'm cleared and confirmed. They will pick me up from my hotel about 7:30 AM on Saturday, and it's a full-day tour with lunch and motorcoach transportation included. Smart casual attire required - no t-shirts or shorts (but nice jeans are OK). It's December, so I expect chilly weather anyway. Other than that, it's basically just "don't be a moron" - when in the JSA, don't try to interact with North Korean troops, and don't touch any flags or equipment when they let you in the conference room. Double-check with your guide before taking pics or video, and follow all instructions from them and the military folks. There is also always a chance you could get screwed out of the JSA visit due to military tensions or exercises, and only be able to go to the observatory and see the Nork tunnels, so be prepared for that possibility (especially at the moment); there will not be any refund if that is the case.
 
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Re: Travel Part 2 - Where ya headed?

FadeToBlack&Gold said:
I'm cleared and confirmed. They will pick me up from my hotel about 7:30 AM on Saturday, and it's a full-day tour with lunch and motorcoach transportation included. Smart casual attire required - no t-shirts or shorts (but nice jeans are OK). It's December, so I expect chilly weather anyway. Other than that, it's basically just "don't be a moron" - when in the JSA, don't try to interact with North Korean troops, and don't touch any flags or equipment when they let you in the conference room. Double-check with your guide before taking pics or video, and follow all instructions from them and the military folks. There is also always a chance you could get screwed out of the JSA visit due to military tensions or exercises, and only be able to go to the observatory and see the Nork tunnels, so be prepared for that possibility (especially at the moment); there will not be any refund if that is the case.
Click to expand...

They'll tell you not to take pictures or point at anything when you're outside looking at the NK building. They encourage pictures in the conference room.
 
Re: Travel Part 2 - Where ya headed?

MOOKIE CAN Ride the elevator here all night. Seems mookie is the only "single" white dude without an escort. Between the floor (33) bar on the top floor (45) and club room (40), we've counted 6 in 2 1/2 hrs and they keep improving. Holy cow!!! :)
 
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