I´m going to North Korea (updated)

Sunhouse
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12/9/2016 3:02pm Edited Date/Time 9/9/2017 11:52am
Last year I took a year off to travel South East Asia, Central America and parts of the Caribbean. Loved it, and I´m hooked on independent travel. Best memory was probably buying an old communist 107cc "Honda Win" in Saigon
(Honda has never made a model of that name, despite the decals saying otherwise), with a Chinese motor. Rode it through Cambodia and Laos, and across the mountains back into Vietnam. The thing broke down and died just 10k`s from my final destination. (tried to upload a picture but MacBook and upload button on vital aren´t friends)

Well today I got my passport back from the North Korean consulate in Stockholm with a North Korean visa in it. I´m so excited! Been wanting to go there for years, and this year I will be celebrating new years in the most unlikely country ever. On freaking Kim Il Sung Square. I also paid an additional 180 Euros to go on a helicopter ride in a Mi17 (export variant of Mi 8) over Pyongyang.

If anyone is interested I can upload some pictures when I get back. As with all travel to NK, you will be escorted everywhere by guides and minders. Of the yearly 5000 foreigners who are granted entry to the country per year, most are chinese. I think last year there were roughly 1200 western tourists there.

Sorry if it´s dull, but I had to share it.
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colintrax
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12/9/2016 4:11pm
Be careful taking pictures, but please do.
Oh, and have fun!
Spergen
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12/9/2016 4:50pm Edited Date/Time 12/9/2016 4:50pm
Wow I'm very jealous, have a great time and do lots of research. Think some guy got serious prison time for taking a bible into NK.

And yes would love to see photos
vetmxr
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12/9/2016 4:53pm
i can't imagine even contemplating going to that dangerous looking place, one simple little fax paus and your a prisoner for life. good luck .

The Shop

Brad460
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12/9/2016 5:03pm
Looking forward to the pictures and hearing about your experience! Based on your political views you'll probably love it and want to stay Tongue
APLMAN99
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12/9/2016 5:04pm
I can't imagine wanting to go. It'd be the equivalent of visiting a prison, in a way. Very different than simply visiting a country with a "lower standard of living". I don't think I could truly enjoy seeing people who are truly held captive in that manner.
vetmxr
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12/9/2016 5:05pm
I can't believe anyone would want to go to that place after what happened to that guy......doesn't seem to me they have a sense of humor about any of that cultural stuff. Do people not pay attention to the stuff they do to their people and anyone else that crosses the dear leader....That being said, you should know the culture of the places you visit.
JW381
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12/9/2016 5:07pm
Awesome!

Coming up on a year since we spent 5 weeks in Thailand, I am overwhelmed with nostalgia and an urge to go back and travel more.
TXDirt
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12/9/2016 5:43pm
APLMAN99 wrote:
I can't imagine wanting to go. It'd be the equivalent of visiting a prison, in a way. Very different than simply visiting a country with a...
I can't imagine wanting to go. It'd be the equivalent of visiting a prison, in a way. Very different than simply visiting a country with a "lower standard of living". I don't think I could truly enjoy seeing people who are truly held captive in that manner.
Lots of people visit prisons, concentration camps, battlefields where thousands perished. It seems this is more of a historical and cultural visit rather then partying on the carnival cruise ship. Smile
APLMAN99
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12/9/2016 5:48pm
APLMAN99 wrote:
I can't imagine wanting to go. It'd be the equivalent of visiting a prison, in a way. Very different than simply visiting a country with a...
I can't imagine wanting to go. It'd be the equivalent of visiting a prison, in a way. Very different than simply visiting a country with a "lower standard of living". I don't think I could truly enjoy seeing people who are truly held captive in that manner.
TXDirt wrote:
Lots of people visit prisons, concentration camps, battlefields where thousands perished. It seems this is more of a historical and cultural visit rather then partying on...
Lots of people visit prisons, concentration camps, battlefields where thousands perished. It seems this is more of a historical and cultural visit rather then partying on the carnival cruise ship. Smile
I can understand visiting a former concentration camp as a historical thing.

I couldn't quite bring myself to tour one with the prisoners in it, which is closer to the equivalent of North Korea today......
TXDirt
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12/9/2016 5:54pm
APLMAN99 wrote:
I can't imagine wanting to go. It'd be the equivalent of visiting a prison, in a way. Very different than simply visiting a country with a...
I can't imagine wanting to go. It'd be the equivalent of visiting a prison, in a way. Very different than simply visiting a country with a "lower standard of living". I don't think I could truly enjoy seeing people who are truly held captive in that manner.
TXDirt wrote:
Lots of people visit prisons, concentration camps, battlefields where thousands perished. It seems this is more of a historical and cultural visit rather then partying on...
Lots of people visit prisons, concentration camps, battlefields where thousands perished. It seems this is more of a historical and cultural visit rather then partying on the carnival cruise ship. Smile
APLMAN99 wrote:
I can understand visiting a former concentration camp as a historical thing. I couldn't quite bring myself to tour one with the prisoners in it, which...
I can understand visiting a former concentration camp as a historical thing.

I couldn't quite bring myself to tour one with the prisoners in it, which is closer to the equivalent of North Korea today......
I agree with you. I could also not do it.
agn5009
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12/9/2016 7:03pm
JW381 wrote:
Awesome! Coming up on a year since we spent 5 weeks in Thailand, I am overwhelmed with nostalgia and an urge to go back and travel...
Awesome!

Coming up on a year since we spent 5 weeks in Thailand, I am overwhelmed with nostalgia and an urge to go back and travel more.


JW381
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12/9/2016 7:21pm
JW381 wrote:
Awesome! Coming up on a year since we spent 5 weeks in Thailand, I am overwhelmed with nostalgia and an urge to go back and travel...
Awesome!

Coming up on a year since we spent 5 weeks in Thailand, I am overwhelmed with nostalgia and an urge to go back and travel more.
agn5009 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/12/09/163596/s1200_wzVTbZk.jpg[/img]


I studied Russian for 2 years. Tough language.
71Fish
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12/9/2016 7:44pm
I was stationed in South Korea for 2 years. Really loved the Korean people. I'm sure the NK people are decent too, just the govt is oppressive.

Vice on YouTube has some cool programs on North Korea.
colintrax
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12/9/2016 7:48pm Edited Date/Time 12/9/2016 7:54pm
JW381 wrote:
Awesome! Coming up on a year since we spent 5 weeks in Thailand, I am overwhelmed with nostalgia and an urge to go back and travel...
Awesome!

Coming up on a year since we spent 5 weeks in Thailand, I am overwhelmed with nostalgia and an urge to go back and travel more.
agn5009 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/12/09/163596/s1200_wzVTbZk.jpg[/img]


JW381 wrote:
I studied Russian for 2 years. Tough language.
Не дерьма. Буквы странно как трахаются
Nighttrain
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12/9/2016 9:05pm
That's cool how you travel, Sunhouse. It's a big world out there and I've seen way too little of it. Enjoy your time in NK and post us up some pictures, please.
kzizok
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12/9/2016 9:08pm
Wow! Epic life experience!
JW381
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12/9/2016 9:34pm
agn5009 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/12/09/163596/s1200_wzVTbZk.jpg[/img]


JW381 wrote:
I studied Russian for 2 years. Tough language.
colintrax wrote:
Не дерьма. Буквы странно как трахаются
весь я забыл
JW381
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12/9/2016 9:43pm
Я хочу пиво и мяса (I'm rusty so Idk if that's right)
colintrax
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12/9/2016 9:47pm
How'd ya know? Grinning
XXVoid MainXX
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12/9/2016 10:35pm
Hope you get to ride in the helicopter with this chick:

Sully
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12/10/2016 12:56am
I'm not sure what would scare me more; going to North Korea, or riding in a North Korean helicopter once I got there. Looking forward to seeing your photos, Sunhouse.
KMC440
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12/10/2016 3:54am
Like walking around at a zoo looking at the animals held captive. No thanks.
How the world tolerates this bullshit is beyond me.
If you see their "god" kill that fat fuck. You'll be gloriously praised by the world. Granted you'll be dead but that's the price for fame.
Sunhouse
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12/10/2016 6:16am
Thanks guys! To me this isn't really rocket science. They have their culture and rules, and they are very easy to follow. Do that and you will have a very safe and interesting experience in NK. The rules applied to tourists are few and very easy to follow, and I am suprised some idiots can't follow them. They give you an indebth form with all their customs and rules before you go - twice.
I've researched traveling to NK for years so I know what I'm getting myself into. This isn't you typical Acapulco holiday, it's a destination for people who are interested in culture. It is basically a time machine to the Soviet Union in the 1960's. I don't buy all the propoganda we are being force fed about North Korea, just as I definitely won't buy their propoganda either.

I'm trying to upload a few pictures from my phone from last year, to see if that works.
First picture is from Indonesia on an island called Lombok




Right after crossing the boarder from Laos and into Vietnam. Past these mountains we rode towards the coast of Da Nang


For history buffs: a rare sight further into the area known as Ankor Wat. It's a must-see


lostboy819
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12/10/2016 6:27am
Sunhouse wrote:
Thanks guys! To me this isn't really rocket science. They have their culture and rules, and they are very easy to follow. Do that and you...
Thanks guys! To me this isn't really rocket science. They have their culture and rules, and they are very easy to follow. Do that and you will have a very safe and interesting experience in NK. The rules applied to tourists are few and very easy to follow, and I am suprised some idiots can't follow them. They give you an indebth form with all their customs and rules before you go - twice.
I've researched traveling to NK for years so I know what I'm getting myself into. This isn't you typical Acapulco holiday, it's a destination for people who are interested in culture. It is basically a time machine to the Soviet Union in the 1960's. I don't buy all the propoganda we are being force fed about North Korea, just as I definitely won't buy their propoganda either.

I'm trying to upload a few pictures from my phone from last year, to see if that works.
First picture is from Indonesia on an island called Lombok




Right after crossing the boarder from Laos and into Vietnam. Past these mountains we rode towards the coast of Da Nang


For history buffs: a rare sight further into the area known as Ankor Wat. It's a must-see


I am not a traveler but I like the way you look at it " They have their culture and rules, and they are very easy to follow. Do that and you will have a very safe and interesting experience in NK." I think you will have a great time because you have the best way of looking at things. Smile
1
sende
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12/10/2016 6:27am Edited Date/Time 12/10/2016 6:28am
Very exciting trip ahead for you. Waiting for updates for sure.
Southeast Asia is my thing. I'm going to Philippines in february. Some of the best diving spots in the world.
Sunhouse
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12/10/2016 6:53am
Thanks Lostboy, it's how I think we should all think wether it is traveling or moving somewhere, we respect their rules and way of life. I'm not here to judge or belittle, but learn and soak up the experience.

Hey Sende, where will you be going in The Philippines? I toured the country for three weeks, and even that wasn't enough. Such an amazing country, possibly the most beautiful country in the region. Top notch diving! Cool tip for people wanting to go there, high season ends in end of April. Rain season starts mid June. In the meantime the local prices and tickets are down to almost a third, yet the weather is as good as high season with less tourists.

sende
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12/10/2016 7:30am
Sunhouse wrote:
Thanks Lostboy, it's how I think we should all think wether it is traveling or moving somewhere, we respect their rules and way of life. I'm...
Thanks Lostboy, it's how I think we should all think wether it is traveling or moving somewhere, we respect their rules and way of life. I'm not here to judge or belittle, but learn and soak up the experience.

Hey Sende, where will you be going in The Philippines? I toured the country for three weeks, and even that wasn't enough. Such an amazing country, possibly the most beautiful country in the region. Top notch diving! Cool tip for people wanting to go there, high season ends in end of April. Rain season starts mid June. In the meantime the local prices and tickets are down to almost a third, yet the weather is as good as high season with less tourists.

That water!!! Can't wait.

We only have 15 days there. Wish I could stay longer.
First we'll go to Alona beach, Bohol. They make scupa and snorkeling trips from there all over. And the place itself seems cool. Semi-relaxed. Bit of a nightlife too. (I am a single, haha)
After that we will spend the rest of the time, like 5 days, in Cebu city. My friend owns a music bar there and I promised him that I'll do a couple of acoustic cover gigs there. That's what I do all the time here at home.

Next year I'm planning to go for a 2 month trip there. Do much more gigs at that bar and do island hopping as much as I can.

I've been to Thailand and India but never Philippines.
71Fish
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12/10/2016 7:44am
The propaganda about NK is true, at least from the several escapee books I have read. I sort of discount much/some of the propaganda the military spewed when I was stationed there. It's mostly from a military POV.

I would love to visit NK myself, but an American can't get a tourist visa, or at least not easily or cheaply.
vetmxr
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12/10/2016 9:08am
Sunhouse wrote:
Thanks guys! To me this isn't really rocket science. They have their culture and rules, and they are very easy to follow. Do that and you...
Thanks guys! To me this isn't really rocket science. They have their culture and rules, and they are very easy to follow. Do that and you will have a very safe and interesting experience in NK. The rules applied to tourists are few and very easy to follow, and I am suprised some idiots can't follow them. They give you an indebth form with all their customs and rules before you go - twice.
I've researched traveling to NK for years so I know what I'm getting myself into. This isn't you typical Acapulco holiday, it's a destination for people who are interested in culture. It is basically a time machine to the Soviet Union in the 1960's. I don't buy all the propoganda we are being force fed about North Korea, just as I definitely won't buy their propoganda either.

I'm trying to upload a few pictures from my phone from last year, to see if that works.
First picture is from Indonesia on an island called Lombok




Right after crossing the boarder from Laos and into Vietnam. Past these mountains we rode towards the coast of Da Nang


For history buffs: a rare sight further into the area known as Ankor Wat. It's a must-see


All that is very true, but they aren't factoring in the entitled arrogant drunk american guy doing stupid shit for a laugh and going to the gulag for the rest of his life.. Just ask the American idiot whose sitting in jail for the rest of his life for ripping down a poster, or whatever.......Even if he was warned, that seems excessive. No excuses though, you're visiting someone else's country and need to assimilate.

That's why I hope to god I never find myself in North Korea for any reason. But I'm looking forward to seeing pictures.

By the way, I can associate with 'that guy'.......

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