Blogs from North Korea, Asia - page 2

A trip to North Korea isn’t really complete without enjoying a dog barbecue at least once. I’ve eaten dog once before in China, and have to say the taste of dog certainly beats the image of eating it. With so few restaurants accommodating foreign tourists, it seemed as though the whole tourist population of Pyongyang had converged on this single restaurant, serving a variety of barbecued dog dishes. Sadly all of these foreigners were able to use chopsticks far better than me, a dismal fact considering I’ve been in China for almost a year. Up until now, I’d decided against asking Ms. Lee our guide any probing questions against North Korea. But after building up two days worth of trust and respect, there wasn’t going to be a better chance. I was under the impression that ... read more

One thing they don’t like to give you whilst in North Korea is free-time. Free-time breeds curiosity and in North Korea curiosity can land you in a lot of trouble. After scoffing down a breakfast consisting of New Zealand Anchor butter and my first toast in a year, we were immediately on our way. Our guide Ms. Lee (one of four family names that make up 95% of the North Korean population), who had yet to crack a smile and Mr. Jang our guard, who seemed far more laid back, stuck to us like a wasp on jam. As there were only my wife and I in our tour ‘group’, we would be joining up with a larger Chinese group. No matter what your nationality is, all tour itineraries include the same attractions. The only difference ... read more

So have you guessed where it is yet? 5 Days - Maximum time on budget spent in the country, the length of my trip. So you should be able to gather that it was an expensive country to visit. 4 Names - Kim, Lee, Pakh and Chai These 4 names make up 95% of the population’s surnames. A question I found important to bring up was if everyone has the same name what happens to the post? There isn’t so much personal correspondence as it turns out. The names should indicate East Asia. 3 Adjectives - People’s, Republic, Democratic As a great traveller(his Travel Blog is His Dudeness) and great man(Ralf) once told me , the more political adjectives a regime had to fill its title with the more evil the regime was reputed to be. ... read more

North Korea. A country that regularly appears on the news, but for all the wrong reasons. Nuclear ambitions, famines, natural disasters, lack of human rights, abduction of foreigners, sanctions from other countries... (and also the recent sinking of a South Korean vessel and an embarrassing loss to Portugal during the World Cup)... The list goes on and on. The country, also known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea or DPRK (The word "Democratic" raises many people's eyebrows), is probably the most interesting travel destination that I have ever visited. What makes the country so interesting is the mystery and secrecy shrouding the country. With the government controlling every single piece of information into and out of the nation, it's kinda difficult to get an idea of what things are really like inside the "Hermit nation". ... read more

A year in North Korea of which 6 months during which the Mass Games the biggest human choreographed spectacle in the world unfolded itself in front of my eyes from the preparation stage during the bitter cold days in February to the Grand Opening on August 2nd. This blog is a personal testimony of those days, no crispy travel anecdotes nor road trip but personal impression & experience of the life in Pyongyang, North Korea through the Arirang which to this date I have found no equivalent anywhere else in the world. A few things to start with about the Arirang (Mass Games in North Korea) Scale: Up to 100’000 gymnasts and 15’000 kids from Pyongyang schools Duration: 6 months of preparation followed by performances shown 3 to 4 times a week during 2 months Meaning: ... read more