Fog encloses the café building at the top of Samjiyon ski resort, as the ski lifts disappear in the clouds.
Observation deck on Samjiyon hill, providing good views of the area if the weather is good.
Samjiyon county is now a focus point for developing tourism in North Korea. Located above the township itself, lies Samjiyon hill, which houses a ski resort. It is not much in use these days, as another ski resort is more popular, but with the ongoing development it just might. From the top of the ski resort, you will get a good view of Samjiyon if the weather is clear. Today, it is far from clear.
One of the bars at Paegaebong Hotel in Samjiyon.
Paula and Sinead playing pool in the sparetime before we drive back to the airport in Samjiyon for our flight to Pyongyang.
After a short and bumpy ride, we can walk out into a grey emptiness. A lookout point, in an architecture you would not be surprised to find in any East block country, we can look farther out into the emptiness. The ski lifts hangs quietly and dormant, disappearing in the fog. However, it is not quiet in Samjiyon, we can hear a lot of sounds coming up from the low clouds. Still grateful for something to do, though. Back at the hotel, we have even some time for a short round of pool too.
Scenery from the streets of Pyongyang.
Driving back to the airport, one thing is certain. They have been busy while we were out hiking. The road is far more flatter and less bumpy now. At the airport it is time to say farewell to our local guides accompanying us on the hike, Mr. Choi and Mr. Hwang. You can maybe say a lot of the customs here regarding the need to have a guide with you, but repeating myself, it is something you just need to be become accustomed to. For me, it has actually been nice spending the time with them. Especially Mr. Choi has gotten along well with the group.
Life in Pyongyang.
The weather in Pyongyang is no better, it actually looks worse. The surrounding landscape is barely visible when we go in for landing. Driving through the city in this weather is far from cheerful. There are people out in the streets, but it does look a little bit more deserted today. Apparently, today is also a free day from the training for the Mass Games. Not much on the plan for today in Pyongyang, so we are confined to what we can do at the hotel.
Small kiosk near the Mansudae Monument in Pyongyang.
Kim Il Sung square.
For dinner we go out to a barbeque restaurant. A small celebration perhaps. This is the last evening together as the whole group, as Jo will travel back home tomorrow morning. It is done in the same way here as in the south. We get a barbecue in the table in front of us and plates with raw meat that we barbecue ourselves. A lot of food, and quite delicious, but apparently not enough. For after eating our bellies full, our guides asks us for what we wants as main dish. We believe it to be a joke, but they appear to be serious. No room for more though, so no main dish.
Celebrating our hike in Pyongyang at a barbeque restaurant. From left: Mr. Kim, Jo, Roger, Paula, Sinead, me and Mr. Hwang.
It is a little bit weird to think that it is actually just one country between North Korea and Norway.
Tomorrow, we will be regular tourists in Pyongyang. I look forward to it, although I do miss being out in the outdoors.
Pyongyang Grand Theatre in the evening.
<- SamjiyonPyongyang (day 1) ->
No comments:
Post a Comment