A Tourist In North Korea
#63
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,665
Great report!! really Detailed and interesting.
By the way. Early on in your report you have your boarding pass with name and barcode. I suggest you either blank those out or remove the photo --- barcode readers can a lot of info from those,
By the way. Early on in your report you have your boarding pass with name and barcode. I suggest you either blank those out or remove the photo --- barcode readers can a lot of info from those,
#65
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: GM on VX, UA, AA, HA, AS, SY; Budget Fastbreak
Posts: 27,303
Daniels TRs always include pictures of his bps or visas etc with his full name showing. Its kind of like how everyone on the UAL Forum knows that the guy who has flown 20million miles (plus) on UAL is Tom.
Also, Ive heard that people can also eat dog in China. Not my thing just like how I dont eat horse in Europe. I do like goat and deer and other non-human animals
I am loving both this TR and the comments. I myself stayed up past 2am partly because of this TR. omg so worth it!!
Also, Ive heard that people can also eat dog in China. Not my thing just like how I dont eat horse in Europe. I do like goat and deer and other non-human animals
I am loving both this TR and the comments. I myself stayed up past 2am partly because of this TR. omg so worth it!!
#66
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,301
How much cash do you think people carried with them on your tour? Did the tour guide have suggestions? For the Dutchman buying Seat 1, did he know ahead of time that it would be 800EU or did he just have hundreds of EU on his person in anticipation of this? While on the metro or in crowded places, did you ever fear pickpockets like when your mobile was almost stolen in MEX?
as for the regime talk, Im sure that some Tibetans or Uighurs wouldnt be thrilled with all the TRs in China. Lets not even get started with how some people might feel about TRs in the USA.
Without the aviation tour, would you still want to do another visit in DPRK, assuming that there are different tour options?
as for the regime talk, Im sure that some Tibetans or Uighurs wouldnt be thrilled with all the TRs in China. Lets not even get started with how some people might feel about TRs in the USA.
Without the aviation tour, would you still want to do another visit in DPRK, assuming that there are different tour options?
Yes, seems unfair that DPRK is singled out from other 'not-so-nice' regimes. I would love to return some day, perhaps to do a train or the aviation tour.
Awesome as always. In fact even better than your high standard. Well worth the wait.
It was fascinating to see how many unique places you visited compared to my five night marathon trip in 2017. I didn't get to see the Kim's resting spots, but after your review, I'm not sure I missed anything...
Not to hijack your thread but here are three photos worth sharing.
You mentioned not being allowed to take photos in the super market and war museum, but I took the risk. This one was the photo showing the 'American Pigs' in defeat.
I personally enjoyed the Dog Meat Soup and here is a close up of the meat itself. I got a gamy pulled meat taste as well.
This was my favorite from my five days and taken on my first morning. We had dramatically different views/weather. But the weather cleared up nicely and I got to see the blue sky/bustling Pyongyang later in the week.
Again, great stuff, Keep it up.
It was fascinating to see how many unique places you visited compared to my five night marathon trip in 2017. I didn't get to see the Kim's resting spots, but after your review, I'm not sure I missed anything...
Not to hijack your thread but here are three photos worth sharing.
You mentioned not being allowed to take photos in the super market and war museum, but I took the risk. This one was the photo showing the 'American Pigs' in defeat.
I personally enjoyed the Dog Meat Soup and here is a close up of the meat itself. I got a gamy pulled meat taste as well.
This was my favorite from my five days and taken on my first morning. We had dramatically different views/weather. But the weather cleared up nicely and I got to see the blue sky/bustling Pyongyang later in the week.
Again, great stuff, Keep it up.
Wow - thank you for a comprehensive trip report. It's probably the most comprehensive one on North Korea that I've ever seen.
I had a question about whether you asked or had to disclose whether photos would be used for Flyertalk or other blogs for the internet? I recalled a previous trip report where the poster had to clear it with the guide, who allegedly knew about this site. If It's not appropriate to share here, I'd love to hear by private message. It seems you had pretty much free run about photographs with the guide. The amount of photos that you took is probably more than the average tourist.
My other question was about the focal length of the lens you were allowed to bring in. It seems that has been answered as less than 250 mm?
Thank you again
I had a question about whether you asked or had to disclose whether photos would be used for Flyertalk or other blogs for the internet? I recalled a previous trip report where the poster had to clear it with the guide, who allegedly knew about this site. If It's not appropriate to share here, I'd love to hear by private message. It seems you had pretty much free run about photographs with the guide. The amount of photos that you took is probably more than the average tourist.
My other question was about the focal length of the lens you were allowed to bring in. It seems that has been answered as less than 250 mm?
Thank you again
Thank you, nydave11.
I'm hoping that the restriction for Americans is lifted. Visiting North Korea is certainly on my bucket list. Hopefully President Trump's meetings with Kim will help change the situation. From what I understand, North Korea has no problem with Americans visiting.
I at least want to do a JSA visit from South Korea, where you can technically set foot inside North Korea. Were you not able to cross the border on your trip to the DMZ from North Korea?
I at least want to do a JSA visit from South Korea, where you can technically set foot inside North Korea. Were you not able to cross the border on your trip to the DMZ from North Korea?
Those tours were run by another firm, Juche Travel (which is a joint DPRK/UK firm). Unfortunately, I think those tours were operated with the express blessing of the DPRK government, and with escalating international tensions, I don't think those tours will resume until the relax (also for security reasons).
Thank you, phranktzi.
Cheers, cedric, yes, certainly an experience I'll never forget !
I'm supremely impressed @Daniel. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience in such vivid detail!
Daniels TRs always include pictures of his bps or visas etc with his full name showing. Its kind of like how everyone on the UAL Forum knows that the guy who has flown 20million miles (plus) on UAL is Tom.
Also, Ive heard that people can also eat dog in China. Not my thing just like how I dont eat horse in Europe. I do like goat and deer and other non-human animals
I am loving both this TR and the comments. I myself stayed up past 2am partly because of this TR. omg so worth it!!
Also, Ive heard that people can also eat dog in China. Not my thing just like how I dont eat horse in Europe. I do like goat and deer and other non-human animals
I am loving both this TR and the comments. I myself stayed up past 2am partly because of this TR. omg so worth it!!
#68
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Denver CO
Programs: HHonors Gold, National Emerald Club, no airline affinity status
Posts: 3,338
I think this might be your best trip report I've read of yours. The pictures were absolutely amazing. I have been on a JSA tour (when I lived in South Korea years ago). Including the meeting room where you can technically step on the North Korean side.
Im not a fan of Korean food (except for a few items). I don't think I could bring myself to try the dog (I think they call it gaegogi). It used to be served in some South Korean restaurants (or at least it was when I was there).
Again, great report.
Im not a fan of Korean food (except for a few items). I don't think I could bring myself to try the dog (I think they call it gaegogi). It used to be served in some South Korean restaurants (or at least it was when I was there).
Again, great report.
Last edited by HawaiiTrvlr; Jan 20, 2019 at 12:48 pm
#70
Without Question a high Quality trip-report. Nevertheless I agree with others that tourists seems to be part of a great staging. Also I cant skip the fact that this tours are one of the ways a terrible criminal regime gets foreign currencies. I wouldnt support them with one cent knowingly.
#72
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,665
#73
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Singapore
Programs: CX Gold, Krisflyer PPS, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Platinum
Posts: 738
Amazing trip report with amazing pictures Daniel. I have lived in Beijing for four years and always wanted to make the trip to North Korea, but never had the time and honestly the guts to do it. The closes I got to North Korea was when Kim visited Singapore last year and I was having brunch in the St Regis where he stayed.
#74
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,301
I think this might be your best trip report I've read of yours. The pictures were absolutely amazing. I have been on a JSA tour (when I lived in South Korea years ago). Including the meeting room where you can technically step on the North Korean side.
Im not a fan of Korean food (except for a few items). I don't think I could bring myself to try the dog (I think they call it gaegogi). It used to be served in some South Korean restaurants (or at least it was when I was there).
Again, great report.
Im not a fan of Korean food (except for a few items). I don't think I could bring myself to try the dog (I think they call it gaegogi). It used to be served in some South Korean restaurants (or at least it was when I was there).
Again, great report.
Without Question a high Quality trip-report. Nevertheless I agree with others that tourists seems to be part of a great staging. Also I cant skip the fact that this tours are one of the ways a terrible criminal regime gets foreign currencies. I wouldnt support them with one cent knowingly.
Amazing trip report with amazing pictures Daniel. I have lived in Beijing for four years and always wanted to make the trip to North Korea, but never had the time and honestly the guts to do it. The closes I got to North Korea was when Kim visited Singapore last year and I was having brunch in the St Regis where he stayed.