Pyongyang - The first day

We were kept busy throughout our stay in North Korea. Before we had even checked into our hotel, we were taken to the first of many sights we were to see, the Arch of Triumph. The scale of the arch was impressive - it is supposed to be 11 meters larger than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. 1925 represents the year when resistance to Japanese colonial rule began whilst 1945 represents the eventual expulsion of the Japanese army from the Korean Peninsula.

Pyongyang - Arch of Triumph

Visiting this monument also allowed us all to gauge how closely we would be corralled during our stay in the country. We were allowed comparative freedom, but if you pushed the boundaries, you would be gently reminded to get closer to the group. I found that by walking slowly, you could actually get a little bit further away before being summoned back.

Kim Il-sung football stadium

So, the first day in Pyongyang was a success. We saw a few of the famous sights, and were allowed to  watch the people of Pyongyang (Pyongyangers?) going about their business. We all fully realised that Pyongyang is not representative of the entire country, but shows perhaps those who are the most well-off. We can only guess at the situation within the North Korean countryside.

Next, the hotel.