Behind the Scenes

Being now focused on filling spots for my big May trip (the April tour is pretty much booked), I thought it might be valuable to show a little of the fun and behind the scenes action from my past visits. If you are familiar with my gun range and Ultimate Frisbee posts than you already know my tours are about more than just being bused around different monument and museum sites – we like to party too!

Almost all of the photos posted and linked below are what I had considered Facebook pics. Overlooked and neglected by this blog for too long, I think they fit in perfectly with this post. I hope you enjoy them and the behind the scenes insights they share.

North Korean guide Ms. Han, flush with soju after our going away duck BBQ dinner, sings Arirang on the bus microphone.

More pics linked below!

The BBQ duck dinner is often saved for a going away party on the tour’s final night. Here you can see the soju being poured liberally, and the dinner and drinks shared with our North Korean guides – sadly for most of the trip the North Korean guides are not allowed to eat with the tourists.

Soju at the duck BBQ.

Soju at the going away duck BBQ party.

Post BBQ duck dinner camera lesson as our North Korean guide teaches, and to our encouragement, flirts with one of the waitresses as she tries to take our group picture.

Group shot after our going away BBQ duck dinner.

Always take a close look in the North Korean souvenir shops, from hemp products to North Korean Viagra, you never know what you may find.

Always take a close look in the North Korean souvenir shops, from hemp products to North Korean Viagra, you never know what you may find.

The Yanggakdo Hotel bar always has a few kegs of locally produced microbrew on tap – you can even pay for it here with a North Korean debit card!

Mingling with the North Korean army while appreciating the flower arrangements at the Pyongyang Kimilsungia Flower Expo.

Riding the evaluator (5 Euro extra charge) to the top of Juche Tower.

Riding the evaluator (5 Euro extra charge) to the top of Juche Tower.

Welcome to Pyongyang – Souvenir shopping in the base of Juche Tower.

There is a good chance your North Korean guides will help you jump in and participate in any game or local activity you see – just have to ask!

North Korean tour group guide Ms. Han and a local guide from the International Friendship Exhibition taking a rest at the exhibition mountain viewing pavilion.

A free beer with every meal! Waitress serves the boys at the Nampo Ryonggang Spa and Resort.

A free beer with every meal! Waitress serves the boys at the Nampo Ryonggang Spa and Resort.

Local snack of dried fish at the rest stop on the way to Wonsan.

When the group asked Ms Han what her favorite thing on our trip was, she told us it was learning to play Frisbee with the kids at the Songdowon Children’s Camp.

Checking out the light up Pyongyang Metro map

North Korean guides relaxing.

Waitresses in Wonsan give a North Korea language lesson.

The Kaeson Fun Fair arm Wrestling machine – My favorite North Korean strong man!