Sokcho, S. Korea.Population 90,000 apx.Weather 63F Sokcho is a city in Gangwon province, South Korea. It is located in the far northeast of the country along the coast of the Sea of Japan (East Sea).The city is well known as a gateway to the nearby Seorak-san national park. Lying north of the 38th parallel, the city also serves a number of tourists attracted by the closeness to the DMZ. Many of the population have relatives in North Korea.Until the opening of the airport in Yangyang County, Sokcho had its own airport, linking the city to Seoul. The city still attracts many national and international tourists, not only because of Seorak-san, but also because of its fine fishery products. The beach of Sokcho has a good reputation, although it is only open for 42 days every year. There are natural hot springs in Sokcho, some of which have been developed into spas and pleasure swimming halls. There are also golf courses which are popular because of their natural surroundings.
Today I went back to the port to check on Ferry and decided to take a chance on Vladivostok. Therefore I will be going by ferry to Vladivostok on Thursday and face the Russian music at custom. So far I have not heard any good stuff. I may not get the car for few days there and hotels are expensive almost $150 a night.
I also change the hotel which has internet.
I drove 40 miles north to the world’s most active hostile border. It’s called now Unification Point and it has observatory.
By the way my Garmin GPS 60CSX it’s not so accurate. According to garmin I was driving inside 20-30 miles on Sea of Japan. It seems either Koreans fill up that part of the sea with roads, mountains and farms and forgot to tell Garmin.
Passing lots of small villages and impressive looking military personals. Try to sneak in some pictures, got one so far.
It is amazing, Koreans farm in such small pieces of land that it’s more likely gardens. These farms are touching the barbed wire on border. There is no space or land to be wasted here.
It is a somber place. One side of the border ,people are happy and prospers while other side who knows –if we trust CNN and they all are in rat hole.
It seems so close but far way. We drive on small road between two fences of barbed wires.
The film in auditorium was in Korean showing all the grim things can happen in war. I was rather disappointed about not showing anything about American sacrifice-55000 some service men and women- in this war. At least waving American flag or “Thank you USA” would have helped.
Talking to young Koreans means little about the war. Their parents must have dragged them here. They all ware t-shirts or jackets written in English however none will speak English.
Great honest straight forward people they seem to be. Food is most bizarre. Anyone with the adventure in food, this is paradise.
I yet have to see some species of fishes in aquarium around the world, let alone on food plate. Small stall on side of the road one can see all types of dried fishes for sale including octopuses and stingrays –fish jerky.
Also noticed that there is nothing foreign here as we see in west. All stuff made in Korea except extremely few Japanese cars – 4 to be exact so far. It’s got to be protectionism.
All around me I see Hyundais, Kias, daewoos. They seem to make everything in Korea. Hyundai rules this country. Cars, farming equipments, trucks, trains, buses, elevators, ACs, Gas Stations and even apartment blocks.
You can almost fool yourself looking in your rear view mirror that there is Merc beaming on you only to find out it is damn good copy by Kia.
Let’s talk about Gas price. Ouch –it hurts- it’s $10 a gallon. It me few fills before I got hang of it –every time top up and it cost 30,000 three big green ones. That’s $30
Border Between North and South Korea
