A Tourist In North Korea
#79
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: TPA
Programs: DL Diamond, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,256
Been looking forward to this one and it did not disappoint! NK has always fascinated me, but as a US citizen, getting there right now is quite the pain. Should've gone when it was still legal... Awesome pictures too, shame you couldn't bring the camera along to the Mass Games.
I would've paid you BIG money to bring me back a few of those "See You in NK"/Air Koryo shirts. I just spent more time than I want to admit scouring Aliexpress/eBay/Amazon for one.
I would've paid you BIG money to bring me back a few of those "See You in NK"/Air Koryo shirts. I just spent more time than I want to admit scouring Aliexpress/eBay/Amazon for one.
#80
Formally known as reinmedia
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Los Angeles | Honolulu
Programs: AA EXP | EX UA 1K | Marriot Titanium
Posts: 363
Wow! What an incredible Trip Report. North Korea is fascinating to me and it's definitely on the bucket list. It looks like they are becoming more relaxed on photos and video taking while in the country. Absolutely fantastic, thank you!
#82
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: East Ester, Alaska
Programs: Alaska Million Miler, United Million Miler, Wyndham Rewards Diamond, Choice Hotels Diamond
Posts: 12,148
Only you, Daniel... Only you. Thank you for yet another epic and entertaining trip report! ^^
#83
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,301
Cheers, Taoyuan. Defintiely won't forget this trip soon!
Been looking forward to this one and it did not disappoint! NK has always fascinated me, but as a US citizen, getting there right now is quite the pain. Should've gone when it was still legal... Awesome pictures too, shame you couldn't bring the camera along to the Mass Games.
I would've paid you BIG money to bring me back a few of those "See You in NK"/Air Koryo shirts. I just spent more time than I want to admit scouring Aliexpress/eBay/Amazon for one.
I would've paid you BIG money to bring me back a few of those "See You in NK"/Air Koryo shirts. I just spent more time than I want to admit scouring Aliexpress/eBay/Amazon for one.
Many thanks, Seat 2A. Just worried now that I'm running out of these strange and interesting countries to visit!
#84
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: East Ester, Alaska
Programs: Alaska Million Miler, United Million Miler, Wyndham Rewards Diamond, Choice Hotels Diamond
Posts: 12,148
#85
Moderator, OneWorld
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SEA
Programs: RAA RIP; AA ExEXP
Posts: 11,803
What a terrific read, and full of remarkable and revealing (and beautiful) photos. Thank you SO much!
45 years ago I went on an Intourist tour of Soviet Central Asia - mainly Uzbekistan but a couple of days in Tajikistan. The whole scene - the factory tours, the focus on giant monuments, the carefully curated "museums" and cultural sites... so very similar to your descriptions. Of course there were lots of ancient buildings and complexes from Silk Road days to balance out the Party landmarks, but what struck us was that in the markets and bazaars, in the streets and parks, life was being lived with joy, with laughing children, old men drinking tea... The banners and statues of Lenin were everywhere, but people just kept walking past them. Some of your images are disturbing, but many are hopeful, and we should focus on those instead of the creepy ones. Thanks again.
45 years ago I went on an Intourist tour of Soviet Central Asia - mainly Uzbekistan but a couple of days in Tajikistan. The whole scene - the factory tours, the focus on giant monuments, the carefully curated "museums" and cultural sites... so very similar to your descriptions. Of course there were lots of ancient buildings and complexes from Silk Road days to balance out the Party landmarks, but what struck us was that in the markets and bazaars, in the streets and parks, life was being lived with joy, with laughing children, old men drinking tea... The banners and statues of Lenin were everywhere, but people just kept walking past them. Some of your images are disturbing, but many are hopeful, and we should focus on those instead of the creepy ones. Thanks again.
#87
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,301
A Journey Through Kyrgyzstan
Return To New Zealand Via South-East Asia
A Trip To Bhutan
What a terrific read, and full of remarkable and revealing (and beautiful) photos. Thank you SO much!
45 years ago I went on an Intourist tour of Soviet Central Asia - mainly Uzbekistan but a couple of days in Tajikistan. The whole scene - the factory tours, the focus on giant monuments, the carefully curated "museums" and cultural sites... so very similar to your descriptions. Of course there were lots of ancient buildings and complexes from Silk Road days to balance out the Party landmarks, but what struck us was that in the markets and bazaars, in the streets and parks, life was being lived with joy, with laughing children, old men drinking tea... The banners and statues of Lenin were everywhere, but people just kept walking past them. Some of your images are disturbing, but many are hopeful, and we should focus on those instead of the creepy ones. Thanks again.
45 years ago I went on an Intourist tour of Soviet Central Asia - mainly Uzbekistan but a couple of days in Tajikistan. The whole scene - the factory tours, the focus on giant monuments, the carefully curated "museums" and cultural sites... so very similar to your descriptions. Of course there were lots of ancient buildings and complexes from Silk Road days to balance out the Party landmarks, but what struck us was that in the markets and bazaars, in the streets and parks, life was being lived with joy, with laughing children, old men drinking tea... The banners and statues of Lenin were everywhere, but people just kept walking past them. Some of your images are disturbing, but many are hopeful, and we should focus on those instead of the creepy ones. Thanks again.
Thanks, as219. Safety-wise there is no real issue, unless you do something stupid. Ethics-wise is up for debate I guess.
#88
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Bargara Australia
Programs: VA, SQ, IHG, HH,ALL, Europcar
Posts: 1,530