Wanderingred Posted February 13, 2016 Report Share Posted February 13, 2016 All jokes about my username aside, I'm wondering if any other City fan has ever been there or would consider going there? I've just got back from a five day tour. It's a shithole, a real sorry place but a fascinating and eye opening experience. I was there when the rocket was launched and whilst the rest of the world was up in arms, we were watching the celebrations in the central square.. fireworks and dancing. Some people say that tourism just lines the pockets of the regime but I really don't see it that way. The more interaction they have with the outside world, the more open they will hopefully become. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhistleHappy Posted February 13, 2016 Report Share Posted February 13, 2016 .....how do you like your Martini's sir? ... Shaken or stirred? just checking! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyderInACan Posted February 13, 2016 Report Share Posted February 13, 2016 23 hours ago, Kim_il_sung said: All jokes about my username aside, I'm wondering if any other City fan has ever been there or would consider going there? I've just got back from a five day tour. It's a shithole, a real sorry place but a fascinating and eye opening experience. I was there when the rocket was launched and whilst the rest of the world was up in arms, we were watching the celebrations in the central square.. fireworks and dancing. Some people say that tourism just lines the pockets of the regime but I really don't see it that way. The more interaction they have with the outside world, the more open they will hopefully become. Very interesting @Kim_il_sung what took you there? It must be incredibly weird to go to such a fascinating place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanderingred Posted February 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2016 2 hours ago, CyderInACan said: Very interesting @Kim_il_sung what took you there? It must be incredibly weird to go to such a fascinating place. Morbid curiosity really. Unfortunately though, we weren't allowed to interact with the regular everyday people so I have no more insight into what their everyday lives are like than I did before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrs Court Red Posted February 14, 2016 Report Share Posted February 14, 2016 I would LOVE to visit North Korea. The closest I'll ever get to experience the great Soviet states I've read so much about (OK, I think it's a different form of communism but it'll do). One things for sure, when it collapses, which it will, the psychology studies of subjects learning their entire life they've been lied to will be fascinating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanterne Rouge Posted February 14, 2016 Report Share Posted February 14, 2016 I went to Albania before they`d opened up and that was an experience! Even went to their cup final, Dinamo Tirana v Partisan Tirana and the amount of fighting had to be seen to be believed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazred Posted February 14, 2016 Report Share Posted February 14, 2016 I've watched the Vice documentaries on NK and they were facinating. There's a good one about the slave labour logging camps they operate just over the Russian border, well worth a watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BS2 Red Posted February 14, 2016 Report Share Posted February 14, 2016 I read Dom Joly's book "The Dark Tourist" a few years ago (great book btw!) and was fascinated by his experience in North Korea. I'm not sure I'd be brave enough to go, but I can see why people would. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRL Posted February 14, 2016 Report Share Posted February 14, 2016 I would like to go. But think other than glimpsing real life all you will get is the tour! A lot of money for what you can see on the internet. Still, it has to be an experience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedYoshi Posted February 14, 2016 Report Share Posted February 14, 2016 Went a few years ago. Fascinating, bizarre, and ultimately came out with more questions than answers, but totally worth it. What company did you go with, @Kim_il_sung? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanderingred Posted February 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 7 hours ago, RedYoshi said: Went a few years ago. Fascinating, bizarre, and ultimately came out with more questions than answers, but totally worth it. What company did you go with, @Kim_il_sung? Went with koryo tours. Very expensive but they are supposed to be the best! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'Orns Posted February 15, 2016 Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 On 14/02/2016 at 08:19, Barrs Court Red said: I would LOVE to visit North Korea. The closest I'll ever get to experience the great Soviet states I've read so much about (OK, I think it's a different form of communism but it'll do). One things for sure, when it collapses, which it will, the psychology studies of subjects learning their entire life they've been lied to will be fascinating. You mean the imperious leader didn't score a thousand against Australia not so long back? I'm guessing the football World Cup win was legit though, yeah? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrs Court Red Posted February 15, 2016 Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 43 minutes ago, Woodsy said: You mean the imperious leader didn't score a thousand against Australia not so long back? I'm guessing the football World Cup win was legit though, yeah? Of course dear leader managed this feat, however one man, no matter how godlike, can prop up an entire nation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanderingred Posted February 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 1 hour ago, Woodsy said: You mean the imperious leader didn't score a thousand against Australia not so long back? I'm guessing the football World Cup win was legit though, yeah? The rumour about the North Korean authorities telling it's people they won the World Cup is false! I talked about football with our guides and they were aware that Portugal thrashed them 7-0. They said the game was even screened live on national TV. As backwards and repressive as the place is, there have been some stories fabricated by the western media, such as this one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'Orns Posted February 15, 2016 Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 Yeah, I read it was all faked, made me laugh though! Good to know that they actually got to watch the game Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanterne Rouge Posted February 15, 2016 Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 2 hours ago, Barrs Court Red said: Of course dear leader managed this feat, however one man, no matter how godlike, can prop up an entire nation. But he did get 18 holes - in - one once. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 15, 2016 Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 I'd love to go, money probably puts me off. I've known a fair few people who've gone from the urban exploration scene and been a 'bit' naughty as guests when there - even going out to the much more deprived southern areas of the country. One day perhaps.. along with Famagusta if the Turks ever open it up again. Remember seeing one rediculously crazy report from an explorer who seemed to get into some miltary tunnels in beijing.. full of old commy images/propoganda and AK47s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Hunt-Hertz Posted February 15, 2016 Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 I think I'd rather stick a thorn down my jap eye. But enough about my sexual peccadilloes.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedYoshi Posted February 16, 2016 Report Share Posted February 16, 2016 On 2/15/2016 at 01:01, Kim_il_sung said: Went with koryo tours. Very expensive but they are supposed to be the best! Yeah, same here - Simon still doing the tours..? Definitely with you on the idea of it becoming more open with more interaction. I know it's changed loads since we were there (back end of 2012, one of the last few groups that had phones etc. confiscated at the border - I believe they're allowed in now?), and it was interesting to talk about how different it was in the 90s when Koryo started doing tours. Some of the rumours and Western propaganda about the country - as alluded to - seems such a shame, really, because nobody needs to fabricate anything, and, in doing so, I feel it takes "attention" (for want of a better word) away from the actual problems etc. People want it to be some creepy, conspiratorial, spy movie the whole time, when in reality it's just a massively struggling country, with an entrenched and brutal regime. i.e. The radios aren't bugged - they're just crap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid in the Riot Posted February 17, 2016 Report Share Posted February 17, 2016 On 14/02/2016 at 13:48, BS2 Red said: I read Dom Joly's book "The Dark Tourist" a few years ago (great book btw!) and was fascinated by his experience in North Korea. I'm not sure I'd be brave enough to go, but I can see why people would. On 15/02/2016 at 01:01, Kim_il_sung said: Went with koryo tours. Very expensive but they are supposed to be the best! 23 hours ago, RedYoshi said: Yeah, same here - Simon still doing the tours..? Simon is a friend of a friend and originally from Thornbury - small world eh! He took Dom Joly on the tour that influenced his book. Simon used to be the only one doing tours into North Korea so he is very much regarded as the original and best. He ended up in that part of the world after going travelling with my mate on the trans Siberian railway and basically never coming back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanderingred Posted February 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2016 On 2/16/2016 at 20:36, RedYoshi said: Yeah, same here - Simon still doing the tours..? Definitely with you on the idea of it becoming more open with more interaction. I know it's changed loads since we were there (back end of 2012, one of the last few groups that had phones etc. confiscated at the border - I believe they're allowed in now?), and it was interesting to talk about how different it was in the 90s when Koryo started doing tours. Some of the rumours and Western propaganda about the country - as alluded to - seems such a shame, really, because nobody needs to fabricate anything, and, in doing so, I feel it takes "attention" (for want of a better word) away from the actual problems etc. People want it to be some creepy, conspiratorial, spy movie the whole time, when in reality it's just a massively struggling country, with an entrenched and brutal regime. i.e. The radios aren't bugged - they're just crap. Simon is still the managing director but he doesn't go so often these days. The founder Nick is still around too. Phones are allowed now but you aren't allowed to use them unless you buy a strictly monitored North Korean sim card (not worth it for 4 days) and they check all your photos at the border. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin phantom Posted February 19, 2016 Admin Report Share Posted February 19, 2016 On 2/14/2016 at 13:48, BS2 Red said: I read Dom Joly's book "The Dark Tourist" a few years ago (great book btw!) and was fascinated by his experience in North Korea. I'm not sure I'd be brave enough to go, but I can see why people would. Thanks for the heads up - will get a copy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTone Posted February 19, 2016 Report Share Posted February 19, 2016 I would love to visit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhistleHappy Posted February 19, 2016 Report Share Posted February 19, 2016 1 hour ago, BigTone said: I would love to visit If you manage to get over there sometime Tone, dont forget to come back sporting a souvenir 'glorious leader' haircut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTone Posted February 19, 2016 Report Share Posted February 19, 2016 2 minutes ago, WhistleHappy said: If you manage to get over there sometime Tone, dont forget to come back sporting a souvenir 'glorious leader' haircut. Already have it done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhistleHappy Posted February 19, 2016 Report Share Posted February 19, 2016 3 minutes ago, BigTone said: Already have it done Good... Let it grow, let it grow, let it grow, .......then next year off to the States for a Donald Trump OK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhistleHappy Posted February 19, 2016 Report Share Posted February 19, 2016 http://trumpdonald.org/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTone Posted February 19, 2016 Report Share Posted February 19, 2016 25 minutes ago, WhistleHappy said: Good... Let it grow, let it grow, let it grow, .......then next year off to the States for a Donald Trump OK I have the Donald Trump "down below" and a "Brian May" under my arms Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedYoshi Posted February 20, 2016 Report Share Posted February 20, 2016 On 2/17/2016 at 11:55, Kid in the Riot said: Simon is a friend of a friend and originally from Thornbury - small world eh! He took Dom Joly on the tour that influenced his book. Simon used to be the only one doing tours into North Korea so he is very much regarded as the original and best. He ended up in that part of the world after going travelling with my mate on the trans Siberian railway and basically never coming back! Amazing. I do remember chatting about him being from round these parts - small world indeed! Definitely talked about Dom Joly's tour too, as we'd just read the book, and it was quite amusing to hear Simon's "yeeeeah, that's not exactly how it happened" take on it. Ha. On 2/19/2016 at 08:05, Kim_il_sung said: Simon is still the managing director but he doesn't go so often these days. The founder Nick is still around too. Phones are allowed now but you aren't allowed to use them unless you buy a strictly monitored North Korean sim card (not worth it for 4 days) and they check all your photos at the border. Ah ok - yeah definitely not worth it. I actually quite enjoyed not having phone/internet etc., was rather refreshing, if a result of all the wrong reasons. Did you get anything deleted on the way out? They checked ours (on cameras, not phone), but didn't delete anything, and seemed to get bored halfway through - almost seemed like it was for show more than anything else. Others did get a fair few photos deleted though, so maybe we just got lucky with our guard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanderingred Posted February 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2016 6 minutes ago, RedYoshi said: Amazing. I do remember chatting about him being from round these parts - small world indeed! Definitely talked about Dom Joly's tour too, as we'd just read the book, and it was quite amusing to hear Simon's "yeeeeah, that's not exactly how it happened" take on it. Ha. Ah ok - yeah definitely not worth it. I actually quite enjoyed not having phone/internet etc., was rather refreshing, if a result of all the wrong reasons. Did you get anything deleted on the way out? They checked ours (on cameras, not phone), but didn't delete anything, and seemed to get bored halfway through - almost seemed like it was for show more than anything else. Others did get a fair few photos deleted though, so maybe we just got lucky with our guard. They didn't delete anything but they looked through pretty much all my pics, including ones from before my trip including a picture of a penis shaped ice-cream which put them into hysterical laughter. Another guy on our tour had the full batman animated movie on his laptop and two guards watched a good 15-20 minutes of it! Interactions like that help a lot imho because it's a great way for them to get a picture of what the outside world is really like and see that we aren't all imperialistic devils! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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