North Koreans heading home after a busy day working for the greater good.pic.twitter.com/oaRJ7WdSJm
Show this thread
-
Construction began in 1987 but hit a major roadblock when the Soviet Union collapsed and the DPRK has bigger problems than an unfinished hotel. Still, it has a certain dignity about it.pic.twitter.com/I54yaGTep4
Show this thread
The Juche Tower. Juche is the state ideology of North Korea. It basically boils down to Korea itself being the religion of Korea.pic.twitter.com/M2G4aamZy1
-
-
-
The Monument to the Founding of the Workers’ Party. In addition to the hammer and sickle, the Koreans also add in a calligraphy brush to the usual Communist sign. Our guide told us this was because “we have more intellectuals than the other socialist countries”!pic.twitter.com/0rwmZzWkcJ
Show this thread -
<<Intermission>> The North Korean film I watched on one of my three TV channels. The other channels were all basically images of Kim Jong Un and people applauding.pic.twitter.com/4uHq6BTDHL
Show this thread -
-
On the glorious Day of the Sun itself, we visited the Kumsusan Palace where the bodies of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il lie in state. This was a highly regulated day where we had to wear formal dress and few photos were allowed.pic.twitter.com/76Tn9li8hB
Show this thread -
The sun magically appeared and Pyongyang was sparkling. We were told to maintain a solemn air and arms were to be at our sides at all times. We couldn’t put them in our pockets or even fold them.pic.twitter.com/sHAXNqrVct
Show this thread -
Korean women heading to pay their respects. Inside the palace, all visitors (including us) have to bow three times to the bodies of the Great Leaders. No talking is allowed.pic.twitter.com/b6YJvmoD7u
Show this thread -
The front of the palace. These were once Kim Il Sung’s offices, now they are a temple to the Kims.pic.twitter.com/vNCWsHkwET
Show this thread -
People from all over North Korea come for the Day of the Sun. Kim Jong Il also has his own day in February: The Day of the Shining Star. Officially though, neither of them are dead. They both remain President and Chairman of North Korea for eternity.pic.twitter.com/g7arPkIfjl
Show this thread -
We were then taken to boring exhibitions of the Kimilsungia flower named after the eternal President. Here is a rare photo of him when young where you can see the close resemblance he has with his grandson.pic.twitter.com/VKDUHOzjq1
Show this thread -
-
Statues of the Kims where we were forced to purchase $5 flowers and lay them at their feet before bowing.pic.twitter.com/O4cHalQUD5
Show this thread -
Later, in one of the main squares, a mass dance “spontaneously” broke out in honour of the day.pic.twitter.com/HPdy86t7q3
Show this thread -
The sight of hundreds of people repeating identical dance movements was quite stirring. We even joined in.pic.twitter.com/HWgfjAhQo1
Show this thread -
As a reward for our good behaviour and patriotism, we were then allowed a trip to an amazing bar which wouldn’t have been out of place in any major western city.pic.twitter.com/n1UWfJFoXj
Show this thread -
-
The Day of the Sun was completed by a dinner on an old fashioned river boat which was delightfully kitsch inside. Even the uniforms of the waitresses were a joy.pic.twitter.com/CQYws1lIsT
Show this thread -
After dinner, the waitresses put on a little show for us.pic.twitter.com/5AHdVRNdfy
Show this thread -
-
-
-
I will state here that I failed to capture my
flag.
Everybody fails.pic.twitter.com/w33fqSkshJ
Show this thread -
Our trip was coming to an end, but we still had one last treat in store for us...pic.twitter.com/JMswG3jyCj
Show this thread -
I was lucky enough to get given a copy of this magazine for the flight home. Let’s take a look at what’s inside.pic.twitter.com/Hh1XMBwuEW
Show this thread -
There was a special section on the recent meeting in Vietnam between Trump and Kim Jong Un.pic.twitter.com/666o6zcjFz
Show this thread -
On close inspection, note how Kim Jong Un’s name is typed in a slightly bigger font than Trump’s.pic.twitter.com/YUG6qBFIBc
Show this thread -
The magazine had a special section on other world leaders who have expressed their boundless admiration. They were all very relevant and up-to-date. Here’s what Stalin had to say.pic.twitter.com/PJ9UGDtPtC
Show this thread -
And Tito. Nobody else on my tour group of 10 even knew who he was.pic.twitter.com/Ido874xxDh
Show this thread -
Perhaps my favourite was this quote by Jimmy Carter who declares Kim Il Sung to be greater than all the Founders and Presidents of the United States put together and even God.pic.twitter.com/U9E7jbn3x3
Show this thread -
Sadly, all good things come to an end, and so did this. I enjoyed my visit to Best Korea and encourage anyone with a curious mind to go check it out. It’s a fascinating place and certainly rewarding. Annyeong!pic.twitter.com/c0ggOvGkCD
Show this thread
End of conversation
New conversation -
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.