Line Of Division

Korea is the only divided country in the world. After the Korean War (June 25 1950 – July 27 1953), South Korea and North Korea established a border that cut the Korean peninsula roughly in half. Stretching for 2km on either side of this border is the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).  

 As one of the last relics of the Cold War, the DMZ attracts a great deal of public interest, and is a popular destination for travelers visiting Korea.  Despite the fact that this is the most heavily armed border in the world, it is extremely rare that any hostilities take place. These days the DMZ is a safe destination that we would thoroughly recommend to any traveler.  The DMZ and its surroundings contain many interesting historical sights and pristine untouched natural surroundings.

 Various organizations offer DMZ guided tours.  Itineraries differ, but most tours will take visitors to an observatory, one of North Korea’s infiltration tunnels, a military base, and right into Panmunjeom, the Joint Security Area in the middle of the DMZ where negotiations between the two sides are held.








For over fifty years the areas surrounding the DMZ have been restricted to the general public.  As a result, they have become a wildlife preserve containing incredible bio-diversity.  The DMZ and its surrounding areas are now referred to as the Peace and Life Zone (PLZ), and a special tour course has been designed taking travelers to destinations of historical interest and outstanding natural beauty. 

I had a nice trip to Demiltrlized zone of South Korea, North Korea Boundary with Internal students.actually it was my 3rd time visiting different area of DMZ and it always made me gloomy, as i though about the two brothers who are separated by a boundary wall. To me it seems like a division of one heart or single body into to pieces. and the foreign interest has made their case more severe. Honestly I think it is just the 3rd countries who has created this gap and are playing their role in making it more worse. 

We got the latest information about the troops on both sides and their movements. Although it was much informative trip but after the visit i was thinking all the way, whether this division will be finished ever as it desired by the people of both countries. 

I recommend you all to visit this place.. and also to pray for the Unification of both brother countries. 
The Following links will help you found many information about the DMZ and It will make an easy trip to that part of the world which divide two Brothers... 

→ Learn more about the DMZ and DMZ tour agencies
→ Panmunjeom – The Great Divide

→ The DMZ (PLZ) Tour Course Guidebook → Discovering the Hidden Treasures of the PLZ (DMZ) 

All Roads Leads to Yeosu

I had a fun with Yeony and Suny at YEOSU EXPO 2012 this week end (9-10 June). It was a wonderful experience to be there as K Performance Supporter. The Korean Wave Concert, Big O show, DG Show, sky towers, main theme pavilion, Samsung pavilion, and Digital gallery were Awesome. I got 55 Countries Stamps on my Yeosu Expo Passport. I am goanna share my experience at Yeosu with you.

The theme of the Expo is “The Living Ocean and Coast” with subthemes of “Preservation and Sustainable Development of the Ocean and Coast,” “New Resources Technology,” and “Creative Marine Activities.” The organizers anticipate participation of more than 100 countries and international organizations, and 8 million visitors.Here is a brief introduction of some charming pavilions of Yeosu Expo 2012. Their detail description is in their pictures inside.

Water Screen/ Big O: The Big-O is a landmark of Yeosu Expo. This was one of my favorite events at Yeosu expo. I was highly impressed by the big fountain. It was a kind of very interesting story for me having a very good lesson. The way they presented the story with of beautiful girl who love her ocean life and then suddenly she got disturbance in her ocean life by pollution from human kind.

Main theme pavilion: The core concept of the Expo is "The Living Ocean and Coast”. It is my other choice ay Yeosu expo. This is a big fish outstandingly designed and it has many presentations inside.
Korean pavilion: The Korean Pavilion is designed to convey the theme of Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea. In this pavilion they have presented the history of ocean with Korean people and their advancement.
Traditional Stage: This stage is famous for traditional performances like drama, music and martial arts. I have a chance to watch the traditional marriage performance.
Sky Tower: The Sky Tower the pipe organ was recently listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s loudest pipe organ.r is the highest structure at the Expo site (73 meters high). My most favorite place at expo.
International Pavilions: It is anticipated that the International Pavilions section occupied the exhibition space's largest physical area. This section of the Expo has provided an opportunity for participating countries to plan and hold their exhibitions.
Digital Gallery: The Expo Digital Gallery (EDG) is a large LED display covering the entire canopy over the main street of the Yeosu Expo. The display features moving images of “Dreaming Whales,” which are formed with photos sent by visitors via Yeosu Expo mobile application or media kiosks. It captured and reflects the picture of visitors at different moments which is a source of extreme amusement for the visitors.

   
     Korean Wave Concert: Korean wave concert was fascinated by Jay Park, Beast, BTOB, and 4 Minute in fron tof Big O.
Yeosu expo is like a dream beautiful and charming. They have made it amazing by doing a lot. I must appreciate the Organizing committee for making it a success. It was beyond my expectations the arrangements they have done over there, the facilities they provide, the attraction they have created over there is something unbelievable.
I suggest all of you to visit this awesome Expo. I hope you will Love it. Thanks to Korean Tourism Organization for providing this wonderful opportunity.

Odongdo Island.... Peolpe called it Place of Love

Hey Guys have you ever heard of Odongdo Island… No??? Let’s have a visit together to this land of beauty and love.

                                 The Odongdo Island of Yeosu is one of the most spectacular spots to appreciate camellias. Indeed, the entire island looks like a huge camellia blossom. Originally, it was an island, but now having installed the bulwarks of Yeosu Port all the way to Odongdo Island (오동도), visitors can simply walk along the breakwater. There are 70 species of wild flowers that flourish here, a hill commemorating the plantation of the very first tree and a spacious grassy field making this place great for ecological education.

The promenade that stretches across the entire island is popular with couples. You can have fresh catches from the sea prepared for your meal.

                               We arrived at Odongdo after taking the train for about 4 minutes. I was amazed at the fact that the transportation time was so short, however, was able to assume that the short length was the reason for the cheap ticket price. Odongdo is a popular date course for lovers due to the trail located between rich trees and allowing an ocean view. I guess that is why Odongdo is called the lovers’ island or an island of love.



                   

The one word I exclaimed when viewing the map after arriving at Odongdo was “Wow, Odongdo is huge!!!”
We had to take a quick look at Odongdo in a short time because we did not have enough time I still regret the fact that I was not able to spend more time with the beautiful scenery of Odongdo. Wanted to stay for a longer period and felt sorry that I had to come back only after a two day trip.

             

 Standing on top of the light house and looking at all around the island one can feel extreme joy coze of the natural scenery prevailing till the way you can see. The Expo location is quite clear from this point and you will see a different world in motion with full energy and enthusiasm. 

                    

 The sunrise and sunset at Yeosu, a city with beautiful water and Odongdo Island is awesome. A place with relaxation and romance! I strongly recommend a trip to Yeosu♥
After leaving Odongdo, I felt all my worries and sorrows disappearing by viewing the blue ocean. The terms ‘clear and clean’ fit perfectly in this situation!

Admission Fees

Free

Directions

Across from Yeosu Intercity Bus Terminal, take Bus 333 to Odongdo Island (오동도). Or, from Yeosu Expo Station, take Bus 2 or 333 to Odongdo Island (오동도). [Taxi] Take a taxi from Yeosu Bus Terminal or Yeosu Expo Station to Odongdo Island (10-15min).

Pakistani Pavilion at Yesou Expo 2012

I am proud to present my Country Stall fro the world's biggest expo, the Yeosu expo South Korea 2012. These are the some pics of my Green flag at Yeosu Expo... I feel honored when i saw people interest in Pakistani Culture and Stalls..:)

 
The theme of Pakistan Pavilion at Expo 2012, Yeosu is: “Humankind is one of the most marvelous, powerful and unique species in the world that can achieve great feats when it puts its joint efforts towards a common goal. In fact, one of the greatest assets of humankind is its humanity. Pakistan Pavilion at Expo 2012, Yeosu highlights to the world the message of sustainability through humanity which is a unique privilege and quality of human kind.”

                                             The Pakistan Pavilion facilitates the unique contribution each individual part can make to the whole- in particular to the conservation of our coasts and oceans. The rich diversity of Pakistan serves as a template for humankind and this diversity is precisely what gives the emerging unity its spectacular beauty and power.                              

By individuals reducing their carbon footprint, reducing their waste and increase in recycling, despite the differences in race, culture, religion, geography, nationality, languages and with millions of people working individually and humanely, even the most impossible seeming goals can be achieved and the oceans can be saved and sustained for our future generations. The core underlying message is that that entire human kind needs to harmoniously and peacefully work in order to make a positive difference to sustain the coasts, oceans and the world.

Pakistan highlights this concept of collective-individualistic behavior needed to be taken by human kind by highlighting its own diverse people who have been living in harmony in our geographic area for thousands of years. Key highlights would include the diverse geography that includes the 5 of the world’s top 14 mountains to some of the world’s driest deserts, lush green farmland to serene and beautiful sea-coastline.

 Also highlighted is Pakistan’s contribution to global peace where Pakistan is the largest contributor of peace keeping forces to the United Nations peace missions all over the world and it is implored that all countries of the world should settle all their differences peacefully and amicably for the greater benefit of the world. Pakistan pavilion also showcases its diversity of difference races of people who live harmoniously with each other despite their different features, languages, sub-cultures and even different religions under the guiding principles of the founding father of Pakistan ‘Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’ who always professed the qualities of ‘Faith, Unity, Discipline and harmony’.

Since our children are the future of our world, Pakistan pavilion also showcases heartfelt appeals from our future generation who request visitors by means of holographic technology to be kind to the oceans by their individual actions such as by causing less waste, by recycling more, by conserving more energy etc.

Even if a fraction of the millions of visitors to the Expo undertake and follow these appeals and messages, a considerably sustainable and positive impact on the oceans will be achieved. Visitors from all over the world to the Expo 2012, Yeosu are implored to follow the same example of tolerance, unity, harmony and peace towards each other and in doing this to save our beloved oceans, coasts and the world.

 

 

BnBhero.... Korean Home stay Experience

It was really a nice trip to Yeosu arranged by KTO for the K Performance supporters. We had a fun in real way. The most interesting part was the accommodation through BnBhero. I have heard about BnBhero but never experienced it. Most of the American and European countries are using this kind of home stay very effectively. This weekend I had a chance to have a homestay in Yeosu and it really impressed me.

Personal Experience:
On 9th and 10th June I have an opportunity to explore the Yeosu expo 2012 and Korean Wave concert with many K Performance supporters. We were supposed to found accommodation on BnBhero. My partner give me the responsibility to arrange accommodation. We have to stay for a night over there. Ms. Myung, Chulrim accepted our request. Our host was a 75 years old woman with her son and grandson. But she still looks quite energetic as she told she used to do volunteer work in Yeosu expo two days a week. She welcomed her with a smiling face. Our room was quite clean but a little congested having bathroom, towel and all the accessories. I had some food and she offered some more food and coffee and it was almost 11-30 PM. Although she didn’t speak well English but her expressions were quite caring and having mothers attitude. However her son and grandson played a role of interpreter. Our Stay was quite comfortable although we don’t have AC in our room but she provided a fan which was quite enough in that season. She prepared Breakfast for us and gave us some traditional Korean powder to be added in water with salt and is a source of energy in summer. They were using the same drink at their home instead of water. My first experience of using BnBhero was amazing and memorable. I think it is very interesting from many points of view. Like you will feel to be at home and you can study and observe the Korean homestay. 
I wish to use this kind of service again and I will suggest you to have this experience I know you will love it.

How to Get Reservation:
I think it’s easy and more interesting thing to do. You have to just make an account on www.bnbhero.com

and from there you can reserve a room of your choice and rate for yourself. Throughout Korea. You will send a reservation request and if they accept. You can don the payment from your credit card. They will inform you about confirmation of your payment sent to Host based in their payment policy (24hours after check in).