Air Koryo (JS) Y class - PEK to FNJ (Pyongyang)
#16
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Originally Posted by N227UA
North Korea is the toughest country to visit in the world without a question.
BTW, in my understanding, North Korea widely accepts Americans for visiting. FYI, only 1500 foreigners are permitted to visit North Korea each year. Did you have any personal security issue in North Korea?
BTW, in my understanding, North Korea widely accepts Americans for visiting. FYI, only 1500 foreigners are permitted to visit North Korea each year. Did you have any personal security issue in North Korea?
The figure is about 1200 and US citizens are generally NOT allowed. Up until '95 this was a US government ruling....when that was changed the DRPK implemented the restriction instead. The last time US citizens were allowed in was in 2002 for the Arirang Games.
Personal security issues? No, not at all. One of the most heavily policed and controlled states in the world. Biggest risk would have been a sudden escalation of tension in the peninsula leading to war.
#17
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There have been scenes bordering on riots at recent international football matches in Pyongyang. Actually, the Japanese team will play DPRK at a neutral venue elsewhere in Asia out of concern of the combination of pan-Korean nationalism and anti-Japanese feeling.
#18
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Cant wait for the next installment and the pictures!
Great, fascinating report so far! One of my biggest hobbies is globalization so its particularly interesting for me that there still exist societies who never heard of things like Starbucks or Burger King!
Concerning access for foreign tourists: Dont you think that Saudi Arabia is almost as difficult to access for tourists as North Korea? I mean there are countless flights in and out of that country but I think getting a visa is almost impossible when you want to travel alone. And most tour groups also stopped offering Saudi-Arabian tours.
Thanx very much for taking us along,
Thomas
Great, fascinating report so far! One of my biggest hobbies is globalization so its particularly interesting for me that there still exist societies who never heard of things like Starbucks or Burger King!
Concerning access for foreign tourists: Dont you think that Saudi Arabia is almost as difficult to access for tourists as North Korea? I mean there are countless flights in and out of that country but I think getting a visa is almost impossible when you want to travel alone. And most tour groups also stopped offering Saudi-Arabian tours.
Thanx very much for taking us along,
Thomas
Last edited by tomashi; May 12, 2005 at 5:09 am
#19
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Originally Posted by Swanhunter
Thanks for the kind words. The photos should be up tonight (UK time).
PresRDC the detail of the process was handled by the agency. I had to provide a couple of photos, a CV, a letter from my employer stating I was who I said I was and complete an application form. The issuing process takes for ever so the visa was confirmed about 2 days before I left the UK. However it is rare for an application to be rejected.
jacob_m if you have the money and aren't a spy or a journalist it doesn't appear to be a problem.
The agency I used was www.koryogroup.com, run by 2 Brits based in Beijing.
Just one word of caution - US citizens are not allowed to visit. There have been occasional expections but these are rare.
PresRDC the detail of the process was handled by the agency. I had to provide a couple of photos, a CV, a letter from my employer stating I was who I said I was and complete an application form. The issuing process takes for ever so the visa was confirmed about 2 days before I left the UK. However it is rare for an application to be rejected.
jacob_m if you have the money and aren't a spy or a journalist it doesn't appear to be a problem.
The agency I used was www.koryogroup.com, run by 2 Brits based in Beijing.
Just one word of caution - US citizens are not allowed to visit. There have been occasional expections but these are rare.
It was fun to have a look at it, especially the "application" and "tour tips" sections.
Sending e-mails is not possible, mobile phones are prohibited, phone calls are monitored, strict rules about photography, not being allowed to leave the hotel without a guide, having to bow in front of the statue of "the great leader"...
What a country!! Must be a wonderful experience..
#20
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".......the Il-62 has a certain something about it . There is the air of the 60s plus a certain grace in its lines that modern lumps like the 777 lack."
I agree. The 707's, DC-8's and the VC-10's, as well as the IL-62, had a sleekness that isn't evident in many of today's passenger jets. I loved your description of the 777 as a modern lump....LOL!
I agree. The 707's, DC-8's and the VC-10's, as well as the IL-62, had a sleekness that isn't evident in many of today's passenger jets. I loved your description of the 777 as a modern lump....LOL!
#21
Join Date: Jan 2000
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Originally Posted by Swanhunter
Probably second toughest after Turkmenistan - where tourist visas just don't happen.
The figure is about 1200 and US citizens are generally NOT allowed. Up until '95 this was a US government ruling....when that was changed the DRPK implemented the restriction instead. The last time US citizens were allowed in was in 2002 for the Arirang Games.
The figure is about 1200 and US citizens are generally NOT allowed. Up until '95 this was a US government ruling....when that was changed the DRPK implemented the restriction instead. The last time US citizens were allowed in was in 2002 for the Arirang Games.
Actually, Turkmenistan was not always difficult to visit. You used to be able to transit with a visa from another CIS country. While the transit option may have changed, it seems getting a tourist visa is possible as long as you prepay some tours and accomodations. And there is the national airline, Turkmenistan Airlines (T5), that covers quite a few countries and offers some cheap airfares.
I think any country that does not allow independent travelers is tough, with North Korea being at the top of that list. Throw in the near-blanket restriction on US passports, and the limited transport connections with the rest of the world, and the challenge becomes even greater.
#22
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Very interesting report! Sounds like a fascinating place to visit.
That hotel is so odd! Almost 1100 feet, that is WTC height!
Found this pretty cool picture of it
That hotel is so odd! Almost 1100 feet, that is WTC height!
Found this pretty cool picture of it
Last edited by fbgdavidson; May 12, 2005 at 8:58 am
#23
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Swanhunter, great report! I knew you were off there, but had completely forgotten about it. What an experience. Very much looking forward to the photos and extended report. I would like to go myself, but with the escalating nuclear tensions there, I don't think it would be wise. IMHO its only a matter of time before USA, Japan and/or China's patience runs out with playboy Kim and war is declared .
North Korea Raises Nuclear Stakes
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/4536181.stm
North Korea Raises Nuclear Stakes
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/4536181.stm
#27
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Toughtest country in the world to visit?
Originally Posted by N227UA
North Korea is the toughest country to visit in the world without a question.
#28
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Originally Posted by graraps
what were the costs like?
#29
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Not another Pyonyang and Air Koryo trip report. Sheesh!
Seriously, fascinating so far and look forward to reading more. I was lucky enough to visit Havana in 1995, but a trip to North Korea would really feel like a step back to the 1970s Soviet Union. BTW what was the nightlife like?
Seriously, fascinating so far and look forward to reading more. I was lucky enough to visit Havana in 1995, but a trip to North Korea would really feel like a step back to the 1970s Soviet Union. BTW what was the nightlife like?
#30
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Just in case you can't find the photo album linked in the first post (as it seems to have been mangled by Imagestation) here is a direct link:
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=2126836442
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http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=2126836442
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