Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey takes me from Pyongyang in the early morning heading inland through increasingly mountainous country until we stop at Sinpyong Lagoon for lunch. From there we follow a precarious new highway stopping at Ulim Falls before heading down the range to a communal farm. From there we head around the outskirts of Hamhung to the Mabon Bathing Beach Resort.
Today's Journey
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View out of the 38th floor of the Yanggakto International Hotel on a tiny island in the middle of the Taedong River. Fog obscures much of the view, not to mention the windows haven't been washed in decades. The city is very quiet with an almost total absence of vehicles. |
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We leave Pyongyang in the middle of the morning, passing a truck. Most of the vehicles here are bicycles, giving the city a very 1950s feel. |
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We head into the Rangrim Mountains, occasionally passing through a tunnel. Concrete pillars stand at the end of each tunnel ready to be felled across the road should this area be invaded. |
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Passing some spectacular mountain landscapes. The Rangrim Mountains produce some amazing scenery as we bounce along the very rough road made from large slabs of concrete. |
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We follow a new highway carved into the mountains, and take a break hiking a short walkway to the spectacular Ulim Falls. |
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Descending the Rangrim Mountains as we approach the east coast. We now see a small pocket of farmland. 80% of the country is mountainous leaving only 20% for the population of 25 million people to occupy and farm. |
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Crossing a large river flowing out of the mountains as we reach the lowlands. |
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We stop at the Tongbong Cooperative Farm which we explore. The sun is setting and most of the workers have already finished for the day. |
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The homes at the farm. Most houses (non-apartments) are in this Korean style. The government provides housing to all its citizens, so there is no such thing as renting or purchasing property here. |
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From the farm we travel to the coast passing hundreds of workers walking along the side of the road in the darkness. We eventually reach the Majon Bathing Resort. Once settled in we head out to the beach and I photograph the northern sky for the first time. This is my first night in the northern hemisphere that has been clear enough to see the stars. |
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