Thirsty Thursdays: Drinking Guinness at the North Korea🇰🇵To South Korea🇰🇷Border at Panmunjom, DMZ

Posted on November 28, 2013October 23, 2024 by Jonny Blair

Did you hear the one about the Northern Irishman and the Southern Irishman drinking Irish stout on the North Korea to South Korea border? Hands across the divide – two countries on one island, two countries on one peninsula. One love – Guinness. The black stuff. Through my time working in Irish pubs and backpacking Read more about Thirsty Thursdays: Drinking Guinness at the North Korea🇰🇵To South Korea🇰🇷Border at Panmunjom, DMZ[…]

DMZ Tour Part 12: Korean Souvenirs

Posted on August 30, 2012January 21, 2016 by Jonny Blair

As an atlas freak and a travel nomad, I have picked up a total addiction for collecting souvenirs. Not even in a normal way I’m afraid. For example, I keep a plastic flimsy (folder/poly pocket) for EVERY new place I visit, whether it be a country, city or even just a tour. If there’s enough Read more about DMZ Tour Part 12: Korean Souvenirs[…]

DMZ Tour Part 11: Heading Back To Seoul

Posted on August 23, 2012March 28, 2019 by Jonny Blair

After the busy day on the DMZ Tour where we crammed a lot in and totally enjoyed ourselves, it was time to hand in our badges at the JSA and board our bus back to Seoul where we were staying in Fully House Hostel in Hyewha. It was still daylight as we left the Read more about DMZ Tour Part 11: Heading Back To Seoul[…]

DMZ Tour Part 10: The Bits We Missed And My Fascination For North Korea

Posted on August 21, 2012June 27, 2017 by Jonny Blair

** STOP PRESS ** since this article I’ve been properly to North Korea, including a visit to Kaesong and the North part of the DMZ. You can get a cool 5% off through my website too when you book with Young Pioneer Yours. With any tours, there are of course some things that can be Read more about DMZ Tour Part 10: The Bits We Missed And My Fascination For North Korea[…]

DMZ Tour Part 9: Flag at Half Mast, North Korea🇰🇵

Posted on April 14, 2012October 23, 2024 by Jonny Blair

Having just stepped across the border into North Korea as casual as you like, it was time for a rare sight. Something that you won’t see often in your lifetime. The third highest national flag on a single flag pole in the world, FLYING HALF MAST. The reason? Kim Jong Il had just died. Read more about DMZ Tour Part 9: Flag at Half Mast, North Korea🇰🇵[…]

Crossing into North Korea at Panmunjom from the South Korea side in 2011

DMZ Tour Part 8: Stepping Into North Korea🇰🇵At Panmunjom

Posted on April 12, 2012October 23, 2024 by Jonny Blair

On a cold afternoon with a clear sky ahead and a beating down sun, Panny Yu and I stepped nonchalantly across the border from South Korea into North Korea. Or, as it should be officially from the Republic of Korea into the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. This border is one of the most Read more about DMZ Tour Part 8: Stepping Into North Korea🇰🇵At Panmunjom[…]

DMZ Tour Part 7: Camp Bonifas, The JSA and Crazy Golf

Posted on March 30, 2012June 27, 2017 by Jonny Blair

After lunch somewhere in the DMZ, we changed buses, and our new bus was heading to Camp Bonifas and into the JSA – Joint Security Area. Don’t worry if all these acronyms and constant place names confuse you, they sure as hell confused the life out of me, and even after research I’m still baffled Read more about DMZ Tour Part 7: Camp Bonifas, The JSA and Crazy Golf[…]

DMZ Tour Part 6: Lunch in the DMZ

Posted on March 29, 2012October 23, 2024 by Jonny Blair

Lunch in the DMZ was next up on the agenda. We ate at a tiny wee roadside restaurant near Imjingak, just south of the actual North Korea border. The countryside was immense and on Christmas Eve, a land covered in snow gave a dreamlike impression. Something that I longed for in childhood. The restaurant. The Read more about DMZ Tour Part 6: Lunch in the DMZ[…]