I went on holiday to North Korea, AMA

[NachoLibrary]

That's it really.

Were there any points when you felt worried/ nervous/threatened?

We flew in and going through security in NK was a bit nerve wracking. We were in a tour group so there were lots of us. Only one person had their bags searched but we'd been warned to remove anything from phones etc that might cause problems.

Flying out was similarly a bit anxiety inducing as that's often when people are detained I think. Touring around though, it was like being anywhere else (mostly).

Did you get your phones removed in the airport? Did you travel outside of Pyongyang?

They took our phones for a few mins but gave them back. We'd been told to remove Google maps and Facebook from the home screen just in case.

We also went to the DMZ. Whilst there's no mobile signal for tourists in NK you can just about lock onto the south Korean network at the DMZ. We'd been told this in advance so had texts ready to send in those few minutes.

How long were you there? Have you watched the Michael Palin programme and has it changed since you were there?

We went summer 2017 so it's the same as on Palin's show. He's going to the same sights so far. We were there Mon-Fri.

What other unusual holiday destinations have you been to?

Er, none. I just fancied going there!

Was it very expensive?

Also, what was the food like?

Dd and I are fascinated by it, we'd love to go.

Why did you need to remove google maps and facebooks specifically? Am fascinated by NK but too nervous to go.

Was it very expensive?

From memory, I think it was around £1400 per person but we flew in and out so paid more than if we'd taken the train. That includes absolutely everything except snacks and drinks outside of meal times. We went with Young Pioneer Tours because they were the cheapest. All tour companies offer the same package as tourism is state run so there was no justification for the other higher prices we felt.

Then obviously you have to get to China and back either side.

Are you, in fact, Michael Palin?!

what was the food like?

I wasn't keen on the food. It's lots of little dishes, like tapas, then you get rice or noodles at the end. I lost weight whilst there. Here's a typical meal.

Why did you need to remove google maps and facebooks specifically?

Maps because of their general secrecy. Social media because of not wanting outside media bought into the country.

Are you, in fact, Michael Palin?!

Busted!

Would you recommend going there if someone was looking for somewhere different to go?

Did things looked staged? Did you see anyone being treated badly?

Would you recommend going there if someone was looking for somewhere different to go?

Definitely. I'm not sure what the current
foreign office advice is re travel but a few days after we got out it changed to 'don't travel'.

It's not as bad as portrayed in the media i.e. you can take photos, speak to the locals etc. You are chaperoned at all times when not in the hotel but we were able to vary the schedule e.g. we had an impromptu stop.in a cafe, walk through a park.

Did things looked staged? Did you see anyone being treated badly?

No, but I was constantly looking for it! I can not believe it was staged as there were too many people, we went off schedule etc. If it was staged then they should win awards.

Did you stay in that hotel with the mystery floor where the student took the poster?

Did you stay in that hotel with the mystery floor where the student took the poster?

Yes. According to the tour company it's not a mystery floor, it's for maintenance etc. I've seen the YouTube videos though! We didnt go exploring.

Otto actually used the same tour company as us but they didn't really want to talk about him.

What was the most interesting thing you saw and why?

What was the most interesting thing you saw and why?

The weirdest was definitely the preserved bodies of the two former leaders. They are kept in a massive mausoleum which sees hundreds of people visiting daily. You queue through multiple rooms of memorabilia then enter the chiller and have to bow to three sides of the body. You then repeat for the son. They each have dozens of PhDs and awards etc from mostly African countries.

The war museum was fascinating purely due to the propaganda. They tell citizens that they won the war and the entire museum perpetuates this lie.

Generally though, it's the way of life that's fascinating. The people genuinely seem to have no idea about the outside world.

Bits of Pyongyang are very futuristic looking. They will demolish an entire street and the army rebuilds in a year. Lots of non residential buildings are also very futuristic looking. As you move away from the centre it deteriorates though into shabby blocks of flats.