I just finished Journey into Kimland. Now that's a trip report!

It's probably too old now, but this report, with some editing, was suitable for publishing. I strongly recommend it to anyone interested in North Korea.

I'll bet that our Albanian FTer, who posted above, would agree that those behind the Iron Curtain never experienced anything close to the cultural isolation seen in North Korea. It was, and remains, an adjustment for Russians, Romanians, Polish, etc., to go from a planned economy to free-market democracy (well, in most of these countries, anyway). That adjustment, though, will seem minor compared to what the North Koreans will experience one day.

Slavery, the Holocaust, genocide in Rwanda, Cultural Revolution, Stalinism...all things that make you wonder how insanity could reach such a large scale. Add North Korea to the list.

This guy also got some interesting articles on North Korea, as well as a bunch of other countries.

http://www.gluckman.com/PageNK.htm

I have to admit, that's a great article. Thank you very much for sharing the link. A few times, I am very surprised he didn't get admonished more than he did.

Just my two won, but currently North Korea is the only place on the planet that I refuse to visit for ethical reasons. The regime there is not merely brutal but murderous if not outright genocidal (see eg. here ), and the extremely tight chaperoning of visitors means that there's pretty much nothing you can do to improve the people's lot -- instead, every penny you spend gets plowed into the army and supporting the mad edifice of Kim-Il-Sungism.

Here's hoping they're next in line for their long-overdue revolution, I'll be on the first place in when the regime does collapse...

I asked "are US citizens not allowed to go?" and:

You are all right, here we in Albania have not experienced same kind of "closed country" stateus that is commonplace in North Korea. But I think many Westerners and those from countries with European standarts tend to think of Albania as wild like beast (??)

This is why I say, maybe you like to come to Albania instead!! And it now is safe on there here. No longer do you have to worry yourselves about the hijackings and banditry that was in the commonplace up to year ago.

The services I offer include as I mention Leopold and his private vessel which makes ***ADRIATIC CROSSING*** at your conviencie.

You just let me know, I can easily send my team of worker to assail you upon Italian arrival.

I'll bet!

You know, several people make jokes about when I typed that, so I use Yahoo! to "Define Assail" and I see why!!

My english isn't good, and I didn't realize it mean...

To attack with or as if with violent blows; assault.

WE WILL CERTAINLY DO NOT THIS TO YOU IN ITALY!!!

I only mean we send teams of my workers to Italy to meet with you and to offer you our services to get quick with the through customs formalities. Leopold, our vessel commander (??) he will be able to navigate the complexities that are the Italian ports, and get you out of Italy quicky. Same service is availalbe after makigng ***ADRIATIC CROSSING*** when you reach DURRES.

Very emabrassed am I about the "ASSAIL." I can assure you, there is no place for thuggery or hooliganiry within my company.

I spent a long time weighing up the ethical issues of visiting North Korea. In the end I decided to go, though I will be making a hefty donation to the Internationl Red Cross to support their aid work there.

Would there be interest in me writing a trip report? I am travelling at the end of this month.

dwop, why would you want to sail across the Adriatic when there are perfectly acceptable flights into Tirana airport? I would agree Albania is well worth visiting though.

I think many people here would be very interested in hearing an account of your travels there. Please take as many pictures as they'll let you take! Visiting North Korea these days is the closest most of us will ever come to visiting an alien planet. After I read Journey Into Kimland, I decided that at the very least I will visit Panmunjom some day before I die. We can always hope for a reunification, but something tells me it won't happen peacefully, and the aftermath will make the German reunification look like a cake-walk.

I fear you might be right about that. Indeed, it is more than a theoretical possibility that its collapse might involve nuclear nightmares in places far from North Korea.

Let's hope for something akin to the Iron Curtain's collapse -- a trickle of refugees into China; China indicates it will not repatriate them; word gets out in NK; more refugees; some incredibly brave protesters assemble; then Dear Leader's Generals tell him that he is under arrest.

Yes Yes, I know it is possible to fly directly to modern 'Tirane' airport, but I think based on talks I have with many of my client, that they prefer this ***ADRIATIC CROSSING*** service that my worker, Leopold can offer.

They tell me this is because of factors. You see, they like seeing the beauty that is the Adriatic sea, as well as enjoyment of our amenities (we give liquors, foods, and cigarettes to you, GRATIS) for sailing with Leopold on the vessel.

In addition, I think that people afraid of Albanian customs. You see Leopold will whisk you through these formalities, as he has relations with the patriots that are our customs officers

That was a very interesting trip report to read, indeed.

For anyone going to NK, an American friend of mine Chris Springer who visited the country and spent much time researching it's strange ways recently wrote a travel guide to Pyongyang. Available at Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/pro...283155&s=books
enjoy!

Anyone considering going to NK should be aware that it currently has an epidemic of Bird Flu.
When China had it's SARS outbreak all the NK borders were closed and flights suspended. In my opinion, about the worst place to be stranded in the midst of an epidemic would be NK.