I've become so lazy - not posted enough. 

It's Cambodia time but must upgrade again. I got so upset earlier when I tried livecloud.com and re-directed to livedrive. I thought I'd lost you all but found out the new name on my old email (that will teach me not to update email info). However, not before I'd fired off an angry email to livedrive's press office which I've now apologised for. Good to be back..... 

 

A long drive! Fortunately, my friend Namwon was driving. We took Munyung (Namwon's eldest son) back to his army base after a short break from his military service and much to his frustration. I did console him with the fact that he has only 9 months to go and it only seems a few weeks ago when he first started. Unfortunately, he doesn't see it that way! Apparently, he counts the time in days which is never really a good idea.

Having waved goodbye, we headed off to Sokcho where we managed to get a good deal on a hotel as it was out of season and actually bloody cold. It is much colder in the northern parts of South Korea. We spent the night in a local bar chatting and drinking beer and setting off the odd firework over the ocean from the balcony of the bar. Then tracked down a real locals place on the seafront where we scoffed freshly caught bbq'd shrimps with yet more beer. Since Namwon was driving, we ordered a 'substitute driver' who took ourselves and the car home.

Yesterday at about 9am we headed off to the 'Unification Observatory' which is on the border of North and South Korea in the DMZ. It was a little hazy (weather not me) so I could just observe a couple of  NK guards and a few glimpses past the border into North Korea.

We went to the DMZ Museum and it was very interesting but also very moving of course.

A good couple of days culminating in our lights failing on the highway - but managed to limp to an exit and find a car centre still open.     

 

Via the net. The video stream needs work but a great idea and unfortunately when my mate collected his, it was too abstract both in sound and vision (I'm just guessing it was him). However, I did get him in the waiting process.. you know who you are! Despite the technical glitches, it captured the event. Definitely the way to go! 

My Korean best friend's son recently had leave from his 2 year compulsory military service and we went out for dinner. It was strange as I have known him for 6 years now and he was at middle school when we first met so I felt quite paternal about his experiences. Anyway, this video is him explaining one of the exercises they have to do everyday as part of training. I'm not quite sure why his father (my friend) got involved but it made for a good giggle. A good night was had by all but he had to go back a few days later to the DMZ area where he is posted.