Travel
Seoul Spirit by Gemma Latham
My trip to Seoul coincided with the recent flare in tensions between north and south, following on from North Korea’s condemned nuclear missile tests. A few worried emails from friends had me checking the British Embassy website for updates in the hours leading up to my flight, but there were no warnings against travel so I boarded the plane and proceeded to enjoy some in-flight movies, quietly hoping we wouldn’t touch down in a warzone!
On arrival, I was reassured by the cheery face of Sun-Jung from the Korean Tourism Organization, whose only concern was to enthusiastically educate me about Seoul, the world’s third largest megacity.
The luxurious 5* JW Marriott Hotel, is a city unto itself. A 34 floor tower containing 500 bedrooms, 5 restaurants, 3 bars, a fitness suite complete with an olympic sized swimming pool, indoor running track and climbing wall, and a spa, all housed above a palatial lobby lounge. Did I mention the underground shopping mall?! The renowned Marquis Thermal Spa beckoned, but determined to see what Seoul had to offer, I set out to explore.
Editor Gemma explores Seoul
The
first
stop
was
Gyeongbokgung
Palace, a vast and beautiful site shouldered by skyscrapers to the south and Mount Bugaksan to the north. Built by the Joseon Dynasty in the 1300’s, the site served as the main palace for over five hundred years and is a must-see for anyone interested in the more traditional and historic aspects of South Korea.
In the afternoon I went on a tour of Panmunjeom, home to the JSA (Joint Security Area), which straddles North and South Korea. With tensions between the two making headlines back home, I have to admit I hesitated before signing a compulsory disclaimer which included the line “entry into a hostile area and possibility of injury or death as a direct result of enemy action.” Our tour guide didn’t seem fazed though: “Let’s go see some North Korean Guys!” she joked. At this historic site, where over the past sixty years leaders from both sides have met to negotiate, two imposing buildings face each other in a permanent stand off. We cautiously descended the steps leading down from Freedom House to the MAC Conference Room with strict instructions not to make eye contact or any easily misconstrued gestures, under the scrutiny of the binocular wielding North Korean guards.
The impressive JW Marriott lobby
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