North Korea

After 3 years of planning, it all boiled down to 1605 hrs when i stepped out of Air Koryo flight JS151 on North Korea soil.  I was expecting to see heavy security but there was non in sight.  In the arrivals hall, i saw a lot of North Koreans coming to welcome their own relatives.  I was welcomed by a flood of top of the range vehicles which was to my sup prise as i expected to see a failed state, like the Americans always want to make us believe.

The 30 minutes drive to the city, Pyongyang was surprising and i was shocked to see how advanced the country was from vast rice and maize fields to supper motorways and luxury housing estates.  My first stop was the statue of the former leaders where one is expected to bow to show his respect.

North Korea is a well developed country, my first night was in a world class hotel.

The following day i was off to the Demilitarization zone between the North and South.  I was expecting to see a hightened security detail but it was just a normal situation.  Our tour guided was knowledgeable about the security situation that has led to hostilities with the south.

Over the next 2 days i was given access to see the bodies of the late Eternal Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il lying in stated, the war museum, North korea schools, factories,  public transport systems.

I can write a book on my experiences in North Korea but as i flew out after four days, i was left impressed with a country that is focusing on education, health and agriculture.

Out of respect for the Koreans, i will limit the publication of my experiences.  For those interested in more insights, you are more than welcome to get in touch with me.

As i wrapped out my 2014 tour, it was time for the 21hrs journey back home and as customary i make a decision of the next tour(2015).  It begins on 5 July 2015 in Delhi, India.

Macau to Hong kong

Arriving in Macau from Hong Kong via the one hour ferry, the one thing that caught my eye was all the casinos that are in Las Vegas are also I'm Macao. Yes the Black man has been to the big LV and lived to tell the tails. Macau is big, the resorts are much bigger than in LV and they are beautiful. The gambling floors were filled by Chineese trying their luck. I don't go anywhere near the tables for I know the machine is programmed to win after all.

I was looking forward to the evening, thinking the night clubs will be as exciting as LV. What a damn squib. There were a few joints resembling clubs with a few people. On this point Las Vegas wins by a margin. By 2 am I was tired of searching for fun and called it a night.

On Friday catches the ferry ride to Hong Kong, this time I intended to only look for a place to slip when I got there and I had did not know that accommodation can be scarce on a weekend. After hours of walking around found a plane called New Star Guest house, small clean and going for HK$450 per night. Only got angry when I was promised that I could watch the SWC 3rd place play off and only to wake up at 4 with no game being shown.

Hong Kong is extremely expensive, but the locals are also rich, the number if expensive cars you see on the street bear testimony to that. Next to my hotel was a karaoke pub which was frequented by locals. They first day I walk in and ordered a Japanese bear and when everyone starred at me, which I  am used to, did not come as a surprise. This time the looks were really bad. Half way through my drink a man called Lawrence, who would later be my friend walked up to the counter and told the bar man to take away my drink and replace it with a bear called Blue Girl from German. He would later tell me that it was very offensive to the locals to be seen with a Japanese product. I offered a couple of English songs on the karaoke, much to the delight of the locals.

As I write this post, it is a sunday evening and I am sleeping early to wake up at 2 am to watch the World Cup final and today I have secured a seat at the local bar. After the game I am rushing to the airport for my early flight to Beijing.

The stop over to Beijing is to pick up my visa for North Korea. Yes the black man is heading to Pyongyang. I a probably the first citizen of Swaziland to go to that country. As you know there is no internet in Korea DPR and my next post will be on 19 July 2014 when I land in Johannesburg. Do visit my blog for insight into Korea DPR.

From Kaohsiung, to Macau

Arriving in Kaohsiung, Taiwan late on 6 July 2014 to a humid 32d was no surprise. As usual I had to spend more than normal time at immigration where they always scrutinize my passport. Got myself a tourist SIM card and was easily assisted at the stall just after immigration.  I was impressed by Taiwan's public transport system. Easily followed the signs and off I went to the city and hot off at the City Council station and unfortunately took the wrong exit. After 25 minutes walking and fortunately to the night market, I found my way to Jian' inn.

I was shocked to find a hotel room including the bathroom that was as small as my bathroom back home, but as I was too tired, I was able to sleep 9 hours without a problem. In the morning, I walked through the streets to pas time until my 1530hrs High Speed Train ride to Taipei. It was a wonderful ride, even better than the Eurostar.  I found my way easily to the Vendome hotel, and there Is nothing much to write about it except for the noise at night. In Taipei, I was able to see the Taipei 101, Gondola, Taipei Zoo and Shinlin night market.

Every time I went into a train or shop, I could see people looking at me more than once, and I guess it was because they were not familiar to black people. It was very funny when I went into a 7 Eleven one late night a and there were two twin boys who seemed fascinated at my sight. They had good command of English and one shouted out that their farther always told them that black people set young kids. I just looked at them, at the farther who was embarrassed and laughed it off. After three full days in Taiwan, I did not see even one black person. I know thought that there are number of Swazis studying in Taiwan.

After an early morning  to watch Germany embarrassing Brazil, it was time to move to the airport for my next stop.  I was diss appointed with the Taiwanese that they do not have a train system that tasks you to the airport. I had to do an hour ride on a bus from Taipei Main station.

Landed in Hong Kong at 1500hrs and their MRT is also excellent. Hitched a bus rude to the front door of my hotel, The Kimberly Hotel in Kowloon., after check inn, I had to find tHe Hard Rock Cafe located at Central Hong Kong. I had never seen such a crowded city.  Even as late as after midnight.

After a four hour drive from Mbabane, Swaziland to Johannesburg and still four hours more to wait for departure to Hong Kong. It will be a 14 hours flight and you need the mental strength to survive.
From Hong Kong, it will be another three hours to Kaohsiung in Taiwan. I am not expecting much fun as I will be arriving late on a Sunday.

Pre Travel

Final check of documentation. Briefing family of how to respond incas of emergency.

Over the past 7 years, I have been traveling around the world. My dream is to have been to all the countries by 2033 followed up by the Virgin Atlantic proposed commercial tours to space. Yes, space.

To date I have  been to 33 countries across all continents, this list includes unique countries such as Cuba and Myanmar. I mention the 2 because they are bound to get anybody's attention at the dinner table. I have seen breathtaking places, that would be the likes of Halong Bay  in Vietnam.

Why am I specific about being black? It is because it is usually rare to find an African with such a mission. Not to mention the long interrogations that one is exposed to at immigration points. I will never forget when I was ordered to strip all my clothes in Toronto to be searched whilst in transit from Havana to Las Vegas. I was reduced to a criminal, but that has not stopped me from enjoying what the different parts of the world have to offer.

One of the interesting things I have observed is that no matter which country you go to, language never becomes a barrier. You are always going to find a way to communicate, especially at the pubs.

Let me introduce myself. I am Banele Nyamane, a 35 year old citizen of Swaziland. What? you said. Yes it is a small landlocked country between South Africa and Mozambique. I have a day job and a Chartered Accountant by profession. Yes being from a small, relatively unknown country does lead to  more uncomfortable questions at immigration points.

I will not bore you with my past travel history, but do invite you to read my blog from 4 July 2014 when I embark on one of the most extraordinary tours I have ever undertaken.  Even more other well travelled people have never set foot where I will. I will not mention the country for now, but I am looking forward to a more exiting trip.