North Korea
Nov 17, 2006, 11:57 am
#76
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Austin, TX -- AA Life Platinum; QF Life Silver; UA Silver
Posts: 5,462
Excellent report! My wife and I were booked to go this year with Koryo Tours in August but they cancelled the US tours three weeks before we were supposed to go. 
Hoping we'll be able to go next year! That being said, I am dual citizen british/us so I could probably go anytime.
Hoping we'll be able to go next year! That being said, I am dual citizen british/us so I could probably go anytime.
Nov 21, 2006, 8:43 pm
#78
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Sydney, Aus
Programs: QFF Gold, Velocity + Miles & More
Posts: 1,172
You all may enjoy this video from PDRK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJzfV...related&search
Maybe NK is a great place to live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJzfV...related&search
Maybe NK is a great place to live
Nov 22, 2006, 6:47 am
#80
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: RSE
Programs: AA Exp|VA Platinum
Posts: 15,504
Originally Posted by RJ659
No alcohol in the casino? These Communists REALLY don't want your money now, do they?
Great trip report, reminds me of my own visit to the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
One thing I did do on my Commie trip was to get out of the hotel and hoof it around the cities on my own after the officially-sponsored tours were completed. Met some interesting people that way. Did you ever try this yourself, Ben?
Great trip report, reminds me of my own visit to the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
One thing I did do on my Commie trip was to get out of the hotel and hoof it around the cities on my own after the officially-sponsored tours were completed. Met some interesting people that way. Did you ever try this yourself, Ben?
Unfortunately as ironmanjt said you can't leave the hotel. Your on an island and unless you are a diplomat you are not free to go anywhere in the city at all. There are taxis out the front of the hotel but they will not take you anywhere without a guide. And I got the feeling that the hotel was probably about the best in the way of nightlife Pyongyang had to offer.
civicmon interesting indeed. I did check out the menu (There really was a menu) which included something called a "wet towel rub" it was the cheapest thing they had 5 euros but I was reliably informed that it involves a man coming in at the end of the massage with a wet towel and rubbing it on you....oh and apparently you have to be quite clear about what you want or you will only get a massage as some found out later on
shisochou I would highly recommend it. I'm assuming you are an American so you would only be able to go during the mass games, but that is really the highlight of any NK trip (which I am considering going back for next year as it was cancelled this year)
hobarthoney you stole my thunder, we actually watched that movie when we were told we wouldnt be allowed into the Film Festival, it actually became something of a joke in the group asking if we could go and meet the pretty girls of Kangwon Province. I think that clip is the best of the of what the film offers, its over two parts and runs for about 4 hours. The director is no doubt an practitioner of Kim Jong-il on the Art of Cinema, and I dare say if perhaps the Speilbergs and Bruckheimers would pay a little bit more attention to what the Dear Leader is saying the quality coming out of Hollywood might also improve.
Last edited by bensyd; Nov 22, 2006 at 7:07 am
Nov 22, 2006, 11:58 am
#81
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 104
It's not just the island that keeps you from interacting with the locals; a bunch of S. Koreans were at the island hotel when I visited in 05, and so us Americans (+ a few others) were put up in the Koryo hotel downtown. It's not on an island, and therefore you can't even walk out the front door on your own!
The Koryo is also noted as being the site where many an illicit weapons deal was completed; I chatted with diplomats from Iran and Libya at the airport. Nice guys, but it does make you wonder...
The Koryo is also noted as being the site where many an illicit weapons deal was completed; I chatted with diplomats from Iran and Libya at the airport. Nice guys, but it does make you wonder...
Nov 26, 2006, 10:38 pm
#84
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: Skyteam
Posts: 5,759
Originally Posted by hobarthoney
You all may enjoy this video from PDRK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJzfV...related&search
Maybe NK is a great place to live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJzfV...related&search
Maybe NK is a great place to live
Garden of Eden.
It's world's propagenda to have normal folks stay away from this heavenly oasis.
Feb 20, 2007, 11:12 am
#87
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: anywhere and everywhere
Programs: UA GS, AS MVP 100K, DL Diamond, Marriot Lifetime Titanium, AmEx Centurion
Posts: 5,525
That said, if it's allowed, I plan to be back!
Jul 15, 2007, 1:06 pm
#89
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida, USA
Posts: 886