Snow Skiing in North Korea
The North Koreans are building a ski slope, and despite setbacks over ski lift procurement, the mountain is set to open next winter. Last week the general managers of Young Pioneer Tours were the first westerners invited to the East Coast city of Wŏnsan to inspect the ski slope construction. In addition to taking some of the first pictures of the ski slope, they also report that the mountain will be open to western tourists. Skiers will be giving full access to the mountain – DPRK guides will not be chasing behind them!
Young Pioneer Tours fully expects to offer several winter ski trips once the mountain opens – more details to come!
Construction at the Wonsan area ski slope – photos by Young Pioneer Tours
Is it Time to Defy Washington’s Logic on North Korea?
Propaganda in Wonsan, North Korea – photo by Joseph A Ferris III
Traditional Fishing Boat Wonsan, North Korea and Vacation!
The view of the Pacific Ocean from my stateroom porthole this morning reminded me of the calm seas off the city of Wonsan where this traditional North Korean fishing boat works.
After 4 months of duty as a Chief Mate on a scientific research ship voyaging on expeditions from Chile, Galapagos, and out of Southern California, I made my final arrival this morning and have officially started 3 months of vacation! I fly back to Maine to visit my family for two weeks, and then start the real adventure: two and a half months traveling around the Netherlands, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Malta, Iran, Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh, Georgia, Turkey, and Lebanon.
North Korea isn’t in the itinerary this time around, maybe in 2013, but I’m excited to make a visit to Iran. A little less strict than the DPRK, Americans are still required to have a guide there. I’m going with the owner of Young Pioneers, a tour company that specializes in trips to the DPRK and other hard to reach places. This is their 2nd trip into Iran, and after hearing stories about their first trip over beers at the Pyongyang micro brewery, I decided this trip was a must if my schedule could work it.
Expect a page here in the future with pics and a travel log from this Fall 2012 adventure!
Working for a Strong and Prosperous North Korea
More rare photos from the North Korean countryside: road construction, transportation, industry, and farming in Hamhung/Wonsan region.
Please note that tourists are not generally permitted to take photos such as these due to the government’s fear that they could be used to portray the country in a negative manner. Our guides gracilcly permitted me to take photos of the “beautiful countryside”, which I post here with total respect and in appreciation for the DPRK rural way of life.
All photos by Joseph A Ferris III
Related articles
- Working for a Bountiful Harvest in the North Korean Countryside (americaninnorthkorea.com)
Working for a Bountiful Harvest in the North Korean Countryside
Rare photos of farmers in the North Korean countryside (between Hamhung and Wonsan) preparing fields and working for the upcoming planting season.
Please note that tourists are not generally permitted to take photos such as these due to the government’s fear that they could be used to portray the country in a negative manner. Our guides gracilcly permitted me to take photos of the “beautiful countryside”, which I post here with total respect and in appreciation for the DPRK rural way of life.
Article Analysis at The North Korea Blog
My good friends over at The North Korea Blog have been busy analyzing some recent articles about North Korea put out by the main stream media. Like myself, these guys have also visited the DPRK and have valuable insights to share.
Going Green in North Korea – Gabriel Mizrahi examines the Prague Post’s article: Czech consultant launches in North Korea.
Pedal power on the streets of Hamhung, North Korea – photo by Joseph A Ferris III
A Kink in the Armor – Joshua Spodek analyzes the Wall Street Journal’s report: Luxuries Flow Into North Korea.
State authorized cottage industry in the Hamhung region – photo by Joseph A Ferris III
Related articles
- North Korea Strategy Talk with Joshua Spodek (americaninnorthkorea.com)
- 7 Myths About North Korea (americaninnorthkorea.com)
Peace Sign Photobomb!
Peace sign photobomb at the Wonsan main square, North Korea – photo by Joseph A Ferris III
A Load of Firewood in the North Korean Countryside
A rare photo from the North Korean countryside – on the road between Wonsan and Pyongyang, a troop of soldiers return to base with a truck load of firewood. I love some of the small details I captured here: the girl in the back holding a branch with flower blossoms, a smile on the man in front, and girls curiously checking out the tourist bus as it passes.
Related articles
- Soldier With Flowers (americaninnorthkorea.com)
Local Fisherman in Wonsan, North Korea
In the tidal shallows outside the tourist hotel in the North Korean east coast city of Wonsan, local fisherman search out the ocean’s bounty – photos by Joseph A Ferris III
Related articles
- Wonsan Docks (americaninnorthkorea.com)
Countryside Propaganda Billboards and Murals
A collection of images showing propaganda billboards and murals from the Wonsan and Hamhung countryside areas.
Portrait of a Girl
Portrait of a girl in Wonsan City, North Korea . She was quite a little ham, always finding a position front and foremost in the crowds so she could be the center focus of my photos. You can find more of her in these previous posts here, here, and here.
Wonsan Docks Post #2
More pics below from our walk at the Wonsan Docks, DPRK, North Korea – original post here.
Wonsan Docks
Wonsan Docks, North Korea – photo by Joseph A Ferris III
In Wonsan, the North Korean East Coast port city, we were allowed about an hour to walk and enjoy the local scene at the city docks and main square. My friends quickly started a frenzy with the Frisbee on the docks while I took pictures all along the waterfront and in the main square. We captivated the locals and created quite a stir with children chasing us on roller blades and soldiers asking for pictures, but apparently the fun was too much for some people and government big wigs, who were not amused by the scene, quickly dispersed the crowds and sent us on our way (back on the bus).
More pics below from the Wonsan Docks and Main Square.
