The Mass Games in North Korea are not exactly an obscure or unknown event and so I shall not write too much about the experience other than to advise you that, as per standard The Velvet Rocket policy, I will try to show what it is like to be there. That said, I know this … Continue reading
Something that surprised me when I mentioned to people that I was going to North Korea (or had already been when I returned) were the number of people that told me it was not possible to do so. Now, I could understand this if it were phrased as a question – something along the lines … Continue reading
The title of this post channels George Orwell and is a commentary on the picture below: The picture was taken just outside of the airport in Pyongyang, North Korea. Readers are no doubt familiar with the poverty found in North Korea, but despite this and despite North Korea being a communist country, the North Korean … Continue reading
A horse grazing on the edge of a Kyrgyz village where we stopped for lunch along the border with Tajikistan… Continue reading
The small size of Shebaa Farms – only a mile or so wide and several miles long – belies its significance. The next war between Israel and Hezbollah could very well start here… In 1926, when France created Lebanon, they drew the border with Syria in such a manner that it severed a number of … Continue reading
Everyone can find something on their grocery list at the Mahane Yehuda Market and with bargain prices as a kicker, all manner of Jerusalem’s residents converge here. This makes it a fun site to visit – both for people watching and the products on display. The entrances are somewhat narrow and are watched carefully as … Continue reading
I have spoken before about the absolute collapse in visitors to the Sinai Peninsula following the turmoil of the Arab Spring and the emergence of Islamic militant groups in the area. During the visit of The Velvet Rocket staff to explore this increase in activity on the part of Islamic militants, we were given to … Continue reading
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