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.