With North Korea as a travel destination, tensions on both sides of the DMZ can flare up at any moment. The North has closed itself to tourists during times of cross-border mud-slinging and my tour operator strongly recommended that I buy travel insurance. I really didn’t need them to advise me on this, as I had decided myself that it was the wise thing to do. While the tour company will refund the full amount should there be a cancellation beyond their control, what would I do about my airfare to and from China? No offence to the Chinese, but I’m not that interested in a three-week stay in China should my trip to North Korea be cancelled. 

I will be flying nonstop return from Toronto to Peking. If for any reason the trip to the DPRK is cancelled, I have the peace of mind that my travel insurance will reimburse my flight costs.

Since I have never flown across the Pacific Ocean before, I am unprepared for the time change and the jet lag I will certainly suffer. I have given myself three and a half days in Peking to acclimatize myself to the new time. During my stay I will explore the city on foot. The last thing I want is to fall asleep while touring Pyongyang, so I hope that 3½ days is enough to get over the date line jump.