We stopped for lunch prior to going into the DMZ and onto the border itself. The fence making the start of the DMZ was clearly evident, connecting the manned observation posts looking North for signs of invasion.

All along the fence were ribbons remembering the fallen, presumably left by relatives of the deceased. It’s a colourful addition to an otherwise austere land mark, though I suspect the fence marking the other side of the DMZ has no such enhancements.

In a documentary I learned about the amazing diversity of wildlife in the DMZ. Around 4kms wide and 250 kms long, it is the most heavily guarded and observed stretch of land on the planet. Despite this, no man is allowed to enter – which gives the wildlife a unique and unpestered preserve.