Author: admin
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NK 12. Piano playing
Wednesday, 19 April 2017 Mount Kumgang, North Korea Breakfast in the garish banqueting room. A long table is laid out with a breakfast buffet and a hot water urn and tea/coffee etc. Naturally, I go and make my own tea. As soon as I do the others shout, “Nooo….” Stopped in my tracks from making… Read more
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NK 11. Bucking Bronco
Tuesday, 18 April 2017 Hamhung, North Korea Knock. Knock. Who’s there? “It’s me.” It’s late at night though not fast asleep. Thankfully, for the girl next door knocking on my door. Again. You’ll remember, dear reader, that we have the same adjoining rooms off a little lobby. The scene of a rumpus in the… Read more
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NK 10. Oggy, oggy, oggy
Monday, 17 April 2017 Pyongyang, DPRK Think we can safely say that the Chongchon Hotel could be described as shabby chic but without the chic. Unable to turn off the underfloor heating the room is stifling and opening the window is a no no because of all the midges that swarm in. Need to take… Read more
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NK 9. Bowing to the Kims
Sunday, 16 April 2017 Mount Myohyang, DPRK At last. A night’s sleep without someone banging on my door in the middle of the night! Bliss. My ration of one fried egg for breakfast and one coffee. Although there is plenty of other food available. Today’s highlight is to see the preserved bodies of Kim Il-Sung… Read more
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NK 8. Things that go knock knock in the night
Saturday, 15 April 2017 Pyongyang, North Korea Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. CHUFFING NORA. WHAT THE FLIP. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Disturbed from a deep sleep. Again. Second night in a row now. I need a bit of peace and quiet. Assume it’s my wake up call. Look at watch. Er no.… Read more
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NK 7. Help! Screamed the girl.
Friday, 14 April 2017 Pyongyang, North Korea ALMIGHTY BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. WHAT THE… ALMIGHTY BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. VERY LOUD AND VERY CLOSE. Disturbed from a deep sleep. You can imagine how grumpy I am. Jetlagged, dazed and confused I come to. At… Read more
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Antarctica presentation
Dear reader, As you are all probably in lockdown somewhere in the world, I thought you might like a little diversion from this coronavirus nonsense. The YouTube video below is a 40 minute presentation on my Antarctica trip. Make sure you start at the beginning as it may start halfway through. Best viewed on a… Read more
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NK 6. Fly me to the Un…
Thursday, 13 April 2017 Pyongyang, North Korea You can imagine my excitement at the thought of being in North Korea tonight as I wake up in Beijing. Instructions are to check in at 1030hrs for a 1400hrs flight into Pyongyang on Air Koryo (I’d never heard of them either). For an afternoon tour and… Read more
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NK 5. Scorpion on a stick
Wednesday, 12 April 2017 Beijing, China Metro again to Tiananmen Square but after the long 20 minute plus queues for security on Sunday, box clever and avoid the north east exit and head to the south west underpass exit of the Metro, the other side of the road, and straight through the security checkpoint into… Read more
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NK 4. Spring in the Summer Palace
Tuesday, 11 April 2017 Beijing, China Receptionist recommends the Summer Palace in the north west of the city. Fortunately able to navigate the metro system with ease as the signs and announcements are also in English. Alight at Beigongmen station for the short walk to the Summer Palace entrance. In need of a pit stop… Read more