Seoul

We stayed at Hostel Korea which unfortunately has been the worst hostel so far.  We booked a mixed dorm but were told there wasn't any available, neither of the two female showers worked, one toilet was broken and you even have to supply your own toilet paper!

We spent our first two days sorting out our Chinese visas and ferry tickets and were really excited to find out we can have 60 days in China.

The 15th August was a national holiday which was good as we got free entry to the Gyeongbokgung Palace.  There were guards costumes available for you to dress up in and we watched the changing of the guard.

The following day we went to the prison museum which was interesting and we were lucky enough to have a free guide to show us around.

  We also visited the Korean National War Museum which explained the history of the Korean war and in the afternoon we wandered around Insadong which is an interesting area selling souvenirs.

On Saturday we went on the DMZ tour, this was the highlight of our time in Seoul.  First we went to Panmunjeon where there is a United Nations meeting room which sits directly on the border.  From here you can briefly step into North Korea and you can see the North Korean border guards.  We went to the Dora Observatory where there are some good views into North Korea unfortunately you are not allowed to take photos.  Then we went to the 3rd tunnel which was dug by the North Korean army.

That evening we met up with Jeff who we met in Japan.  We went to a Korean restaurant and had shab shab which was very nice.  Afterwards we went to a local bar for a few beers.