North American history is riddled with strange animal and so-called monster encounters. The mysterious woods, plains, swamps, and mountains hid mysteries that preyed on people’s minds and fueled the legends and stories told around family hearths.

Monster sightings were as popular in the 1800 and early 1900s as they are today. However, instead of posting their sightings to social media accounts, the people of the past went to the newspapers, where their stories were published and immortalized. And, of course, that means they can still be read today.

10 Half-Man And Half-Frog

The idea of aquatic or amphibian men is nothing new. Since antiquity, people have been spotting these strange creatures across the world. However, a more recent sighting from 1902 happened in North America.

According to one newspaper report, a half-man, half-frog creature came out of Colonial Lake, a tidal pond in South Carolina. It was late at night, and witnesses said the curious creature crawled onto the bank and began making strange sounds. They may have been distress cries, according to some accounts, but after about 30 minutes, the creature returned to the water.

The event was witnessed by a truck driver, a carpenter, and numerous other people who were out late that night. According to a statement made by the carpenter:

It was too horrible looking to describe. The head resembled that of a huge frog, the wide, protruding eyes burning with a lurid light. It had arms and shoulders like a man, but the body tapered down like a serpent’s. It was covered with large, greenish scales, and I should say it was at least eight feet long from head to tail. Its mouth was filled with crooked fangs, which it snapped together with a vicious click.^[1]

9 Disappeared In Green Smoke

Wildcat sightings, as well as black panther sightings, have always been a popular topic in newspapers, but this particular sighting in Slick, Oklahoma, was a bit different from those other wildcat stories.

It was during the summer of 1921 when people began seeing an unusual wildcat. According to one report, “The monster was seen [ . . . ] by a woman and two children who were picking dewberries in a swamp at the top of a hill on the outskirts of the city. It spat fire, snarled fiercely and gave a weird howl when it beheld the trio, disappearing in a sudden burst of speed and green smoke.”^[2]

A local reporter and scientist headed to the swamp to find the spitfire cat. The scientist made impressions of the cat’s large, unfamiliar footprints and muttered, “Wildcat, but not still.” The reporter wanted to follow the tracks to find the cat, but the scientist was quite unwilling to go any further.

8 Georgia’s Hairy Man-Monster

Long before the creatures were called “Bigfoot,” there were strange sightings in the mountains of Georgia. An early account from the summer of 1812 tells how a party of hunters came across a 2.4-meter-tall (8 ft) man-creature. It was covered in bluish hair and had large ears, similar to the ears of a donkey.^[3]

Two years later, a group of adventurers from Virginia decided to try and find the mysterious man-monster. As they traveled across the undeveloped land, they spoke to numerous locals who either believed that the hairy man existed or had seen the creature themselves. Fortunately for the monster, the party of men were unable to locate its dwelling.

To this day, hikers and Bigfoot researchers claim to have seen or heard the mysterious monsters that live in Georgia.

7 Duchesne River Monster

A post trader visited the Ute people in Eastern Utah back in 1889 and began talking to them about their culture, raising children, and the local industries. Soon, the conversation moved onto local superstitions, and the trader, who was accompanied by a local newspaper reporter, was told about the Duchesne River monster.

According to the Ute, there is a spot near the head of the Duchesne that was inhabited by “a horrible monster, half man and half beast, with all the powers of an evil spirit.”^[4] The monster lived in the valley, and the locals all avoided venturing into the area, believing that the creature would kill them if it caught wind of them.

Of course, instead of believing the Ute, the reporter felt that perhaps the people were confusing the half-man monster with the Gila monsters of Arizona. However, this makes very little sense because Gila monsters were recognized as animals, not actual monsters, among Native American tribes.

6 The Red-Whiskered Devil

New York state had its own unique monster problems in 1891. Residents near Gravesend Beach claimed they saw a devil of sorts and described it as a “monster all covered with hair, with flailing red whiskers and a Satanic howl.”^[5] People were frightened out of their wits, and it was reported that women and men were staying indoors instead of venturing out at night.

Unionville was also being terrorized by the Red-Whiskered Devil. One night, a train dispatcher saw the strange creature, and, he said, it “gave a roar like thunder, grinned in a most ghastly manner and then started off.” The train dispatcher said that since he did not believe in ghosts, he decided to chase after it. Holding a monkey wrench, the man followed the creature for 3.2 kilometers (2 mi). Then it disappeared right in front of him so suddenly that the man gasped in fear.

Afterward, numerous people came forward to say they had seen the creature. While the witnesses were described as intelligent, one newspaper report ventured to say that the creature was more than likely a man dressed in a bear suit, scaring residents for his own personal thrill.

5 Half-Man And Half-Dog

There was something rather alarming running around Virginia. In 1882, it was reported that a large number of people had spotted a half-man, half-beast creature in the Petersburg area. People were so frightened that they were requesting police escorts whenever they had to travel the neighborhood at night.

Three years later and over 160 kilometers (100 mi) away, the people of Lynchburg, Virginia, had similar sightings. In this case, the monster was described as being half-man and half-dog. It was spotted chasing after children, who believed that the monster was out to eat them.^[6]

In both of these cases, newspaper reports touted that the stories of the dog-man were told by superstitious, uneducated people. No other theories were given as to what the creature or creatures could have been. However, dog-man sightings continue today in the state of Virginia.

4 Idaho’s Hair-Covered Man

It was a cold winter in Chesterfield, Idaho, in 1902. The young adults, eager to socialize and spend time outdoors, went to the local river and put on their skates.

As they skated across the river ice and gossiped, a strange figure appeared. It was 2.4 meters (8 ft) tall, covered in hair, and carrying a club. The man-like creature let out strange yells, and the young people made a mad scramble to their wagons. They escaped, unharmed.

After reaching their little town, they told their parents and neighbors what they had seen. It wasn’t long before the older adults returned to the scene. There, they discovered footprints that measured 56 centimeters (22 in) long and 18 centimeters (7 in) wide. The creature had only four toes on each foot.^[7]

As people began to talk among each other, they found out that similar prints had been discovered in the past, albeit further down the river.

Idaho Bigfoot sightings remain common to this very day.

3 It Turned Itself Inside Out

Something rather odd was plaguing the cattlemen of Bloody Basin, Arizona, back in 1913, and there were reports of men selling out, packing up, and leaving the area just to avoid whatever it was.

According to one witness, he and two other cowmen were crossing the hills when they saw a strange-looking creature ahead of them. The men were so frightened by it that they emptied their guns into the thing.

It was no use. According to the account, the beast was unharmed:

Quick as a flash it wriggled and one side actually went through the other. In other words, it turned wrong side out, reversed, revamped itself, reorganized, changed its general plan and specifications, so that the long legs moved over to the side just occupied by the short ones. Then, with a roar and a swish of the tail it fled back around the hill.^[8]

Arizona continues to offer up strange creature sightings, as well as UFO sightings and Bigfoot.

2 Pennsylvania Devil

A strange creature was seen in Springvale, Pennsylvania, back in 1910. Locals called it a devil, and it was likened to the Jersey Devil, which had been acting up in the Pine Barrens again.

William Smuck, a local of Springvale, saw the creature firsthand and said it sort of looked like a large dog, but it had hind legs shaped like those on a kangaroo. Other people who saw it likened its fur to porcupine quills, but no one was brave enough to stick around for a closer look whenever it showed itself.

After the creature had been accused of tearing apart a local dog, people were afraid to go out at night. When they had to venture out, they would do so in groups, and many people began carrying shotguns and rifles with them.

According to the locals, the devil creature was ferocious. It moved like a panther, was fast, and hunted among the local farms.^[9]

1 Dismal Swamp Monster

While people in other parts of the US dismissed Virginians as superstitious, the Virginians themselves were having a terrible beast problem back in 1902. This is not surprising, since 20 years prior to this latest incident, Virginians were having problems with a dog-man.

According to old newspaper reports, something came out of the Dismal Swamp area and began eating people’s dogs and livestock. The creature, said to have had eyes that glowed in the dark like phosphorous, was hunted down and supposedly killed.

Shortly afterward, however, another Dismal Swamp monster came out of the area to terrorize the neighborhood. A farmer witnessed the strange creature kill seven of his dogs, but when he went after it with a pistol, the creature attacked him and tore his clothing to shreds.^[10]

Another neighbor saw the creature. He described it as an animal that was larger than a wolf, “with shaggy, yellow hair, long head, and sunken eyes.” About two weeks later, it was reported that the creature had been killed again, but this time, it was described as being similar to a wolf but far larger.

Today, the Dismal Swamp area is often visited by thrill-seekers who want to catch sight of the ever-elusive Bigfoot that has been spotted in the area by numerous eyewitnesses.

Elizabeth is a full-time freelance writer and enjoys researching early American history. When she is not busy digging through newspaper archives, she is usually traveling to historical sites throughout the US.

While most of us are familiar with, and enjoy watching, the summer and winter Olympics, fewer people are familiar with an event held by the Aleut and Inuit people of Canada and Alaska. For generations, various organizations made up of these northern tribes have held competitions, such as the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics (WEIO), where contestants engage in various athletic activities, many of which might seem quite bizarre to outsiders.

10The Ear Pull

Think of a game of tug-of-war—except, in this version, the cord that goes between you and your opponent is attached to your ears.

Specifically, the two athletes must be seated and facing each other with legs intertwined. After a thick loop of string is lassoed around both sets of ears, they must wait for a signal. Then, they must lean backward in an effort to make the other competitor experience such excruciating pain that they give up. With each pull, however, the string becomes tighter and tighter around each of the athletes’ ears, resulting in distressed expressions, discolored ears, visits to the hospital for stitches, and, in some cases, ears being pulled clear off.

While this game is no doubt fascinating (and painful to watch), the roots of the ear pull are based on skills that men and women in such brutal climates would need, as a balance of strength, control, and endurance is required in order to win. When asked about the purpose of the game, the chairman of the WEIO noted, “To endure pain. Some of the stuff that we do when you’re trying to survive out in the wild, or out in the ice, and you’re a long way from home and you hurt yourself, you have to be able to endure that pain until help comes.”

9The Two-Footed High Kick

Combining athletic prowess and grace, an athlete in this competition must leap from a standing or running position (depending on the rules of the particular competition) and, keeping feet parallel, jump as high as he or she can muster to kick a sealskin ball held up by string, usually suspended up to 2.5 meters (8 ft) in the air. If that sounds hard, keep in mind that they must also land back on their feet with each foot touching the ground simultaneously. This game is a variation of the similar one-foot high kick event, albeit harder.

Based in Alaskan tradition, this game is rooted in the age-old practice of a hunter returning to the coastal whaling village from an excursion and jumping in the air in sight of the villagers. According to the head official for the WEIO, the type of jump would alert the village as to the success that the hunting party had enjoyed and, if fruitful, to come help with the catch.

In 1965, Nicole Johnston set the unbroken record of 198 centimeters (6 ft, 6 in) for the women’s competition. The men’s competition record, astonishingly, is a whopping 264 centimeters (8 ft, 8 in).

8The Blanket Toss

If you want to play this game, here is what you have to do: Gather up some teammates, buy a blanket made from walrus skins, have them repeatedly fling you into the air from the blanket, and show off your athletic skills by performing gymnastic maneuvers while airborne.

While it is easy to miss the blanket and crash onto the ground when engaging in this game, many Inuits and Aleuts have mastered the skill, but none so prominently as Reggie Joule. The winner of 10 gold medals at the WEIO, he perfected the art, even performing back flips while propelled into the air. It was he who brought the game to public awareness, as he went on the road and ended up demonstrating the blanket toss on The Tonight Show, The Today Show, and even at the Smithsonian Institute.

The origins of this gymnastic event are believed by some to have been a technique hunters used to spot game, as one with good eyesight would be thrown into the air—sometimes up to 10 meters (33 ft)—in an effort to spot an animal on the flat terrain.

7The Knuckle (Seal) Hop

In another game that tests the strength and endurance of contestants, the participant must get in a push-up position. With his back straight, elbows bent, and supporting himself on only his toes and knuckles, he must then lunge forward—careful to hold that position. With wrists and ankles locked, the goal of the game is to propel oneself into the air while making sure to lift the hands and feet simultaneously off the ground.

Repeatedly springing forward mere inches off the floor, the rules in this hop for glory prohibit any body part from touching the ground other than the toes and knuckles. The competitor’s back also must not fall lower than the plane of their elbows. The winner in this difficult competition is the athlete who has hopped the greatest distance.

While completing this game is hard enough on the arena floor where it is commonly held, traditionally, it was played inside a rudimentary hut or community center and even outside at times.

6The Four-Man Carry

People generally get carried away when engaging in this event—literally. In what ends up being a sort of levitating group hug, four men must wrap their bodies over the fifth, the competitor, who must then walk as far as he can. With each man generally weighing in around 70 kilograms (150 lb), that means that the athlete carries around 270 kilograms (600 lb) during the game.

In a game that tests your muscles, joints, back, and spine like no other, the previous world record of 57 meters (187 ft) set in 1997 was crushed during the WEIO held at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks in July 2014, when Matthew Sido Evans reached a whopping 73.6 meters (241 ft, 8 in) before finally buckling under the tremendous weight.

This practical event has its origins in the common Alaskan task of carrying meat, ice, or wood long distances back to the village.

5The Indian Stick Pull

In the life of an Inuit or Aleut fisherman, having the strength, balance, and grip to catch a fish was a prized skill.

With roots based in this ancient practice, the Indian stick pull was developed, although the object in this event is not a fish, but a stick 30.5 centimeters (1 ft) long and 3.8 centimeters (1.5 in) wide tapered on both ends. To make it trickier to hold, the stick is greased. To make it even trickier than that, another contestant has his grip on the other end of the stick, using all his strength to pull it out of your hand. Thus are the complexities of this entertaining game, where no jerks or twists are allowed, and the winner is the one who wins two out of three matches.

In a similar event, the Eskimo stick pull, two athletes must also attempt to win the stick, although this is done in a sitting position with their feet pressed together and knees bent.

4The Arm Pull

In this full contact wrestle of sorts, two contestants must face each other and cross their legs over their opponent’s opposite leg. With arms locked at the elbows, the two athletes must then begin pulling on each other, using their legs, arms, and core muscles to weaken their opponent and collapse them.

Pushing down on the opposing contestant’s foot is just one of the techniques used in this game of brute strength. Describing what it takes to win, former men’s title holder Chris Jerue says, “You’re trying to get it done as quick as you can; it’s very stressful. The longer it takes, the more chance you have of pulling your arm muscle. You try to keep it locked, lean back, and use a lot of back if you can.” The winner is the athlete who wins two out of three matches.

With roots in Alaskan fishing methods, the game simulates the effort, strength, and stamina needed to bring a seal or other quarry out of a hole cut in the ice.

3Drop The Bomb

When someone drops the bomb at a WEIO event, the connotations are a little different than if the same phrase is spoken elsewhere.

The bomb, in this game, is the contestant, who must lie rigidly on the floor with his arms straight out. Three spotters must hold him by his wrists and ankles and lift him 30 centimeters (1 ft) above the ground before proceeding to walk at a speed decided on by an official on the floor. The goal of this game is for the athlete to keep his body as tense and rigid as possible, for at the moment that his body sags, he is said to have dropped the bomb, and his run is over.

Participants in this strength testing event are awarded if they refrain from sagging for the longest time and distance. Many athletes can commonly be carried over 30 meters (100 ft) before dropping the bomb, such as 2013 men’s champion Mikkel Andersen from Greenland, who endured for 33.2 meters (109 ft).

2The One-Hand Reach

You have to admire the athletes who compete in this difficult, yet fascinating, event that requires total concentration, balance, coordination, and muscular strength.

Balancing yourself on only your hands, with one elbow underneath your abdomen, you must keep your entire body above the floor while reaching one hand up to touch an object that’s been suspended, and then placing it back down on the ground without falling over. The higher you can reach to touch the target, all without tumbling off your palms or fingertips, the better your chances of winning the competition.

But be careful—upon establishing the height of the target during the first round, it will be raised 2.5 centimeters (1 in) per round, until you can’t reach it anymore. Also, you only have three shots at striking the target; after three tries, you are eliminated from the competition, even if you’ve kept yourself perfectly balanced and parallel to the floor.

1The Ear Weight

If you think the ear pull is hard, just picture this: Attach a weight or sack of flour weighing from 7–11 kilograms (16–25 lb) to a piece of twine, and then tie the twine around your ear. One of the rules is that you can’t use your cheek. So, lifting your head straight up, walk as far as you can. That’s right—walk until the tension in your neck is too horrible to bear, or the pain in your face is so intense that you can barely breathe, or just until your ear rips off. Believe it or not, quite a few competitors have managed distances of over 600 meters (2,000 ft) while competing in the ear weight.

While events like the ear weight certainly rank near the top of our list of games with the highest pain index, many events combine a need for agility, coordination, strength, and athletic prowess, and thus also deserve to be on our list as honorable mentions. Games like the back push (wrestling using only your back), the caribou fight (wrestling caribou-style), the seal-skinning competition (self-explanatory), the finger pull (tug-of-war using only fingers), and many others are also featured in the fascinating and difficult athletic games of the North.

I am an up-and-coming author that has written poems, screenplays, magazine articles, scripts for videos, and a comedy-adventure novel for kids.

If you’re traveling to the USA, you might also want to see its neighbors, Canada and Mexico. In this case, you now have even more things to see and do. Since that is going to make your planning decisions even more difficult, we now present, in no particular order, the 35 best things to do in North America. Here they are:

The 35 Best Things To Do In North America  

1. Take A Fun Miami Speedboat Tour, USA

Experience the thrill of Miami on a speedboat tour. Put on your shades and feel the wind blowing through your hair on a tour that takes you offshore for a rousing ride as you blast past numerous high-rise buildings in Florida. A local guide will narrate your tour of celebrity homes on Fisher Island, Miami Beach, Star Island, Venetian Islands, and even South Beach’s Art Deco district from the unique perspective of the shining Atlantic Ocean. 

2. Watch For Bears At Yellowstone National Park, USA

Yellowstone National Park covers an area in three states: Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Here among incredible giant redwood trees, live both grizzly and black bears. You might not see one, but if you do, keep your distance, make noise to let the bear know you’re there, and don’t panic.  

Black bears are generally smaller and more prone to run from humans. Grizzly bears are more aggressive. Take your pictures from a safe distance!

3. Sample Some Texan BBQ, USA 

If you’re a foodie or just like to try new things, head for Amarillo, Texas, and enjoy some genuine Texan barbecue. Smoked over a real hickory fire and fairly oozing with flavor, Texan barbecue is a wonderful way to acquaint yourself with the famous Texan mantra: “‘bigger is better.” Amarillo is home to several memorable restaurants that serve traditional BBQ dishes including ribs, brisket, and pulled pork. One of the more popular places is Tyler’s Barbeque.  

4. See The Sights In Washington, DC, USA

Regular readers already know that Washington, DC is the heart of the US government. It is home to many impressive buildings, monuments, and memorials that commemorate the country’s history and leaders. Some of the highlights include the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, the Washington Monument, the National Cathedral, the Vietnam War Memorial, and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. They are located throughout the city and are all easily accessible to visitors.

5. Go Canoeing In Whistler, Canada

Some travel writers say Whistler is one of the best places in the country to go canoeing. They report that the lovely landscape and calm water provides a most blissful experience. You can rent a canoe locally and go paddling around the numerous local lakes and rivers. Veteran visitors recommend such popular spots as Green Lake, Alta Lake, and the River of Golden Dreams. Canoeing here is simply a great way to enjoy and explore the natural beauty here.

6. Take A High-Flying Helicopter Ride Over The Grand Canyon, USA

If, like your rovin’ writer, you have already explored the Grand Canyon on foot, consider getting a bird’s eye view of this natural wonder. Indeed, a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon is an incredible experience that will give you a new perspective. You’ll soar high above the deep canyon and take in breathtaking views that you won’t soon forget. It’s a great way to appreciate its beauty without even breaking a sweat.

7. Cruise The San Francisco Bay

San Francisco is a city full of colorful architecture, creative-minded people, and plenty of stylish shops too. Arguably one of the best ways to take in the sights is by hopping aboard a catamaran and cruising around the briny bay. You’ll get to see the city from a new perspective and enjoy the stunning views of such notable landmarks as Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, the Sausalito Waterfront, and the Palace of Fine Arts.

8. Ride The Rollercoasters At Disneyland, USA

California’s Disneyland is a magical place where you can channel your inner child. Ride the rollercoasters! Some of the most popular rides include Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and the Matterhorn Bobsleds. In addition to the rollercoasters, you can also enjoy other attractions such as Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. There are plenty of shows and other experiences to enjoy too. Make a day of it and experience everything Disneyland has to offer.

9. Take A Hot Air Balloon ride in Arizona, USA

There are several companies that offer hot air balloon rides here. You can search online or go through travel agencies. Some of the most popular locations for hot air balloon rides in Arizona include Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tucson. 

The best time to go on a hot air balloon ride is early in the morning. The weather is cooler and the winds are calmer. Most rides last between 45 minutes to an hour and include a champagne toast after landing.

10. Dive Into Deep Dish Pizza In Chicago, USA

Chicago, Illinois is famous for its deep-dish pizza. The term ‘deep dish pizza’ became popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s as Chicago’s signature dish gained national recognition.There are many places in Chicago where you can try it.

Two of the most popular locations include Giordano’s and Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria. However, there are several other places to try deep-dish pizza there. Check with some of the locals when you get there!

11. Go Snorkeling In Maui, USA

The island of Maui in the archipelago state of Hawaii is a great place to go snorkeling. There are a number of places you can snorkel in Maui. Some of the popular beaches for snorkeling are nestled along West Maui and South Maui. The northernmost part of Kāʻanapali Beach near Puʻu Kekaʻa, a.k.a. Black Rock is famous for great snorkeling. Additionally, there are good snorkeling spots located along the west coast which are more sheltered from the wind and swells.

12. Take A Boat Ride To The Base Of Niagara Falls, USA And Canada

Niagara Falls is located between the state of New York and Ontario, Canada. It includes three falls: the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and the Horseshoe Falls. The latter straddles the international border. Niagara Falls are North America’s most famous waterfall. Boat rides are an exceptional way to experience the falls up close and personal. They offer stunning views of the falls and are available on both the American and Canadian sides.

13. Look For Celebs In Beverly Hills, USA

Some travel writers say that Beverly Hills is a great place to spot celebrities. There are many cafes in the area where you can relax and enjoy a pricey latte while keeping an eye out for your favorite stars. Celebrities can be found all over California, but some of the best places to spot them include Mulholland Drive, Alpine Drive, Bedford Drive, Benedict Canyon, The Polo Lounge at The Beverly Hills Hotel, and Spago Beverly Hills.  

14. Experience Indigenous Culture In Santa Fe, USA

Santa Fe, New Mexico is a great place to experience indigenous culture. You can visit the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture or take a guided tour of the Pueblo Indian villages. Other popular activities include exploring ancient Native American ruins filled with petroglyphs or visiting centuries-old adobe and European-style churches. You can even take a guided tour of the Pueblo Indian villages or explore the ancient Native American ruins filled with petroglyphs.  

15. Take A “Gossip Girl” Tour Of New York City, USA

If you or your traveling companion like the TV show “Gossip Girl”, you can take a tour of New York City and visit some of the locations. There are several companies that offer Gossip Girl tours. Gossip Girl Tour NYC offers private Gossip Girl Pedicab Tours. On Location Tours offers a bus tour that takes you to sites in the Upper East Side and Midtown Manhattan all from the comfort of a coach bus. 

16. Go On An Urban Bicycle Adventure In Boston, USA

If you’re looking for an urban bicycle adventure in Boston, Massachusetts to explore the Irish influences of this town, take the City View Bike Tour Boston by Urban AdvenTours. This tour takes you through six neighborhoods as you cycle past countless historical and cultural sites throughout the city. You’ll be provided with a fitted bicycle, bicycle helmet, and a professional guide who leads you on your travels. It’s a great way to explore Boston!

17. Shop In The Market In Charleston, USA

If you’re a shopaholic and like indoor markets in Charleston, South Carolina, you can visit the Charleston City Market. First opened in the 1790s, this historic landmark is one of the oldest public markets in the United States. There are handmade crafts and jewelry to choose from, and arguably the most prized souvenir – the woven sweetgrass basket. Certain weekend nights even have a special night market that runs late. It’s a great way to support the local artisans. 

18. Take A Las Vegas Party Bus Tour, USA

If you’re looking for a party bus tour in Las Vegas, you can get the full Vegas experience by hopping on a party bus for a tour down the iconic strip. Party Tours offers a fine choice of luxury party bus rentals perfect for any size group, no matter the occasion! You can reserve your tour party bus at reasonable rates. Check out the four-story M&M’s World and Dick’s Last Chance Lounge too!

19. Go Horseback Riding In Durango, USA

Experience the thrill of horseback riding in Durango, Colorado!  It’s the adventure capital of the American Wild West. Channel your inner cowboy as you ride, surrounded by majestic panoramas. Durango’s where you’ll find several ranches that offer horseback riding tours with friendly guides and horses ready to take you on the trip of a lifetime. Some of the best places to go horseback riding here include Rapp Corral, Hole in the Wall Stables, Buck’s Livery, and Rimrock Outfitters. 

20. Go Potter Crazy At Universal Studios, USA

“The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at the popular Universal Orlando Resort consists of two lands based on the Harry Potter books and movies. The Diagon Alley area is ensconced in Universal Studios Florida and Hogsmeade in the Islands of Adventure. Both lands have themed shops, rides, dining, and entertainment that will transport you into the magical world of Harry Potter. You can also visit Marvel Super Hero Island which features rides based on such characters as Spiderman and the Hulk.

21. Honor The King Of Rock In Graceland, USA

Graceland is said by some to be the most iconic rock ‘n’ roll residence in the world. It is a massive mansion on a 13.8-acre estate in Memphis, Tennessee, once owned by American singer-songwriter and musician Elvis Presley. It was first opened to the public as a house museum on June 7, 1982, and attracts over 650,000 visitors annually. Take a tour of Presley’s incredible home and marvel at the splendor.

22. Parasail At Daytona Beach, USA

Experience the thrill of paragliding at Daytona Beach, Florida! While the laid back chill-seekers relax and catch some rays on the beach, folks feeling more adventurous can take to the skies on an epic parasailing excursion. You’ll soar high above the beach and enjoy breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the city skyline. No experience is necessary since you’ll be accompanied by a professional instructor who will guide you through every step of the way.

23. Go White Water Rafting At Mount Robson, Canada

Experience the thrill of white water rafting at Mount Robson, Canada! Who needs to ride rollercoasters when they can go white water rafting? The Canadian Rockies offer some of the most exhilarating white water rafting experiences in the world. You’ll navigate through rapids and waves while enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding forests and mountains. No experience is necessary as you’ll be accompanied by a professional guide who will ensure your safety and provide you with all the required equipment.

24. Learn To Cook In New Orleans, USA

Experience the mouthwatering flavors of Southern cuisine with a Cajun cooking class in New Orleans, Louisiana! Southern cuisine is both delicious and perplexing, but you’ll learn the secrets of numerous New Orleans specialties in a Cajun cooking class. You’ll learn how to prepare classic dishes such as gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish étouffée, and more. Impress all your friends with your newly-gained culinary skills! Once they learn you’re a good cook, you might just have to baptize the gumbo!

25. Hit Venice Beach, USA

Venice Boardwalk is perhaps the coolest part of Los Angeles, California with colorful street murals, independent shops, and street performers. You can also check out the popular skate park, Abbott Kinney Boulevard, the Electric Lodge Performing Arts Center, and the nigh-famous Muscle Beach outdoor gym if you’re into working out. The beach is also a great place to relax and soak up some sun while enjoying the welcoming ocean breeze. Foodies, don’t forget to try some of the delicious food from the local vendors along the boardwalk!

26. Sample Some Poutine In Quebec City, Canada

Indulge in the famous French-Canadian delicacy of poutine in Quebec City. You just might forget what country you’re in as you dine on this delicious dish made with french fries, cheese curds, and gravy. You can enjoy poutine at many restaurants and cafes throughout Quebec City. Don’t forget to explore the charming cafes and cozy side streets while you’re there. Quebec City is also home to many historic landmarks and museums that are worth visiting. 

27. See Stars At The Kennedy Space Center, USA

“Ground control to Major Tom…” The Kennedy Space Center is the best place to satisfy all of your NASA curiosities. Here you can explore the history of space travel and learn all about the latest space missions. The family-friendly Florida-based center also offers visitors a surprising variety of exhibits and attractions that are fun for all ages. Don’t forget to check out the Rocket Garden, which features a collection of historic rockets and missiles.  

28. Enjoy A Dinner Cruise In Vancouver, Canada

Experience the beauty of Vancouver with a dinner cruise! The perfect way to relax and recharge after a day of energetic exploring, a dinner cruise here will have you enjoying a hearty, delicious meal as you float past various sights. You’ll enjoy stunning views of the city skyline and the surrounding mountains while you drink and dine Oh! Don’t forget to dress warmly if you’re going on a dinner cruise during the winter months.

29. Check Out The Liberty Bell, USA

Discover the birthplace of America as you see the various sights of Philadelphia, including the famous, historical Liberty Bell at the Liberty Bell Center, the Franklin Institute Science Museum, the Philadelphia Zoo, Independence Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, South Street, and Reading Terminal Market. There’s also The Philadelphia Magic Gardens, The Eastern State Penitentiary, The Barnes Foundation, and Brasil’s Nightclub. Be sure to have a hot soft pretzel and a Philly cheesesteak, too.

30. Take A Lovely Lake Louise Selfie At Jasper, Canada

Lake Louise is located inside beautiful Banff National Park and is part of the Canadian Rockies. Pose before this backdrop of beautiful blue-green water, lush, verdant forest, and majestic mountains. Surely this will inspire wanderlust in all your Instagram followers. This is undoubtedly one of the reasons you booked a flight to Canada in the first place, isn’t it? If you are feeling energetic you can also go canoeing, hiking, and horseback riding here. 

31. Go Sailing In Waikiki, USA

Experience the beauty of Waikiki, USA by going sailing on the Hawaiian sea. With the wind at your back and the sun on your face, you’ll feel like you’re living your best island life. You’ll have the opportunity to see the stunning coastline of Waikiki from a different perspective and enjoy the peacefulness of the ocean. Keep an eye out for the sea turtles as they swim by to say hello. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget!

32. See Mount Rushmore, USA

Mount Rushmore is a famous mountain carving located in the Black Hills region of South Dakota, USA. The carving depicts four former US presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. It is an iconic symbol of United States history and culture that you won’t want to miss. You can visit this famous site and take a guided tour to learn more about the history and significance of this national monument. It’s a must-see destination.  

33. Get Your Kicks On Route 66, USA

Route 66 is a historic highway that runs from Chicago to Los Angeles, USA. It’s an iconic symbol of American culture and rockin’ road trip vibes. Channel pure Americana by blasting your favorite road trip music mix while you cruise this historic highway. The landscape is beautiful but you need to stop at some of the landmarks too. Check out The Blue Whale of Catoosa, The Gemini Giant, The 66 Drive-In Theatre, and The Gateway Arch.  

34. Hit The Slopes In Whistler, Canada

Whistler is a virtual Canadian snow-globe paradise that offers some of the best skiing in the world. With its stunning mountain scenery and world-class ski resorts, it’s the perfect destination for a ski trip you will never forget. You’ll have the opportunity to experience some of the best powder in the world and enjoy the peacefulness of the mountains. It is definitely an experience you just don’t want to miss!

35. Tour The Hot Spots, Mexico

Mexico is a beautiful country with many hot spots. Some of the most popular destinations include Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen. These cities are known for their beautiful beaches, crystal-clear water, and lively nightlife. You can also visit historic sites like the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza and Tulum. Mexico is also famous for its tacos, margaritas, and tequila. It’s a yet another country in North America that has something for everyone and is perfect for a vacation you won’t forget!

North Korea is the most closed-off and secretive country in the world, but that doesn’t mean we don’t know anything about it. When it comes to North Korea, many of us know that the country is different from others. Its citizens must abide by peculiar laws and are not allowed access to certain websites or communication. Most North Koreans probably don’t even know they live in a restrictive state because they don’t have access to outside information. Here are 10 things that you do every day that are forbidden in the closed-off country.

Related: 10 Horrifying Accounts Of North Korea’s Prison Camps

10 Using the Internet

Can you imagine a world without the internet? Or someone telling you what websites you can and cannot access? Probably not, since the world as we know it is centralized around the web. We are constantly finding new and interesting information to better our lives by browsing it. Unfortunately, not everyone has this luxury.

It is against the law to use the global internet in North Korea. The government has strict controls over the internet and only allows a select few government officials, scientists, and students to have access to it. For everyone else, the government controls how it’s used and has its own state-ran network called Kwangmyong.

The internet is seen as a threat to the North Korean government because it is a tool that can be used to connect people from all over the world. It allows for the sharing of information and the exchange of ideas. This is something that the government of North Korea does not want its people to have access to. Citizens are even restricted in their phone access. They want to keep their citizens isolated from the rest of the world. ^[1]

9 Smiling

Everyone loves a smile. But what if there were laws on when you could do it? Sound nuts? Believe it or not, it’s against the law for North Koreans to smile on July 8, the anniversary of Kim Il-sung’s death.

If Citizens do happen to break the law for this rule, they could be sent to concentration camps or even pay with their lives. The same goes for being loud, drinking, or having a birthday party. So, whatever you do, don’t smile on July 8.

Current leader Kim Jong-un also initiated an 11-day mourning period for his late father, Kim Jong-il, on the 10th anniversary of his death. During this time, North Koreans were banned from laughing, drinking, and shopping (or other leisure activities).^[2]

8 Watching TV

Watching a football game with friends, curling up for a nice movie, or just channel surfing are all things we love to do. Can you imagine only having one program to choose from? I suppose that would eliminate the argument many couples have about what to watch. But hey, we all like choices, right?

North Koreans are not allowed to watch foreign television or even listen to outside radio. Like the internet, they have their own state-run television. Anything that is not official North Korean media is prohibited, as doing so would expose them to Western culture. In fact, it’s illegal to own a television or radio that even has the ability to tune into anything other than the official North Korean media. Can you imagine watching the same thing all the time?^[3]

7 Driving

What if you had to walk everywhere? That doesn’t sound fun.

Can you believe North Korea allows only one in a hundred people to own a vehicle? It’s true. Even then, if you’re a woman and need to get somewhere, you’re out of luck, that is, unless you have a male escort. Women are prohibited from driving entirely, even if they are working as traffic officers.

At one time, women were even banned from riding bicycles around town. However, that restriction has been lifted, and women can make use of the limited transportation. But while they can ride a bike now, many women still mainly work in the home, caring for their families. Those who work focus on trading and the local markets, while their husbands work in state-run jobs.^[4]

6 Leaving the Country

Speaking of travel, don’t plan on leaving any time either. The people of North Korea can’t just go anywhere they please; they are essentially stuck in the country. Any travel must be government approved. There have been few that have made it out, and many have lost their lives in efforts to escape. The few who do succeed in getting out usually have to pay a 3rd party to smuggle them out of the country. Even then, it’s risky. If caught, they and their entire family could be sent to prison concentration camps or even killed.^[5]

5 Wearing Jeans

Fashion is very much a part of who we are as individuals. It allows us to express ourselves in so many ways. We have the freedom to dress how we want. However, not everyone around the world has this freedom. The North Korean president has decided that skinny jeans are out, and you cannot wear skinny jeans in North Korea. Because they resemble a form of western civilization, they are banned.

If you do happen to break this fashion rule, you’re taken to court, where you must confess your crimes in writing. You will only be released when someone brings you something appropriate to wear, and your employer will be notified. The same goes for dyed hair and piercings. Patrols in the city of Chongjin even target popular youth spots to try and catch people red-handed in their crimes.^[6]

4 Talking on the Phone

Making an international phone call could get you killed in North Korea. Sadly, a North Korean factory chief in South Pyongan province was executed by firing squad at a stadium in front of 150,000 spectators in October 2007. The crime was for making international phone calls.

He apparently had 13 phones installed in the basement of his factory in order to make international calls. Six people were killed, and 34 others were injured when a stampede occurred as crowds were leaving the stadium.^[7]

3 Choosing Your Profession

Okay, so maybe we don’t all have the dream job we fantasized about as a child. But North Koreans really don’t get to choose. When first finishing high school, all citizens must join the military. Men stay for 10 years, and women stay until the age of 23. After the military, they are then assigned their life’s work.

Job assignments are not up for negotiation and mostly consist of farming and agriculture. Other jobs consist of street sweepers, factory workers, traffic workers, and teachers. AlleEmployees are supposed to work a 48-hour work week and only have Sundays off. Once in 2016, the entire country, aside from the elite workforce, had to work 70 straight days due to government order in efforts to boost the economy.^[8]

2 Getting a New Haircut

Occasionally, everyone loves a new look. It’s nice to change it up every once in a while, right? For North Koreans, not so much. They have exactly 28 haircuts to choose from.

Women have 14 style choices, and most of them are shorter since it’s customary for married women to have shorter hair. Men are not allowed hair longer than two inches (5 centimeters), and spiky or dyed hair is a no-no because it’s not considered a “socialist hairstyle.” If a person were to get a style that was not on the approved list, they would be expressing anti-socialist behavior.^[9]

1 Talking Smack about the Government

How many times do we criticize or critique the way our government does things without giving it another thought? This is not something that happens in North Korea without severe punishment.

All North Koreans who live under Kim Jong-un’s rule must swear loyalty and obedience to him, his family, and the state. Those who threaten or even insult the supreme leader or his family will be imprisoned or even executed. This goes for visitors as well. American student Otto Warmbier was arrested at Pyongyang International Airport while waiting to leave North Korea as part of a guided tour group. He was arrested for stealing a billboard from his hotel room. North Korea saw this as an insult, and he was imprisoned and died after being released in a vegetative state in June 2017.

It has been said that the country is somewhat like the show The Handmaid’s Tale, which is set in a dystopian future. Although North Korea is one of the most isolated and secretive nations in the world, there are some things we do know. So next time you’re annoyed at what one might sarcastically call a first-world problem, just reread this list and be thankful you’re not living in North Korea.^[10]

Most fans of American colonial history know about the harrowing disaster of Roanoke or the many problems faced by the first Jamestown settlers. What is less known, however, is that European attempts to settle North America started almost a century before the Jamestown colonists first landed in Virginia.

Despite numerous attempts between the 1520s and the 1600s to establish permanent, successful colonies in the modern US and Canada, nearly all of them failed—Santa Fe and St. Augustine being the famous exceptions. Colonial life was hard, and the early Europeans lacked the supplies, tools, and geographic knowledge they needed to thrive in the New World. In this list, we’re exploring ten of the most notable failed attempts to settle North America.

10 San Miguel De Gualdape
1526

In 1521, a Spanish expedition set out to explore South Carolina. They returned to Cuba with 60 captives and a glowing report of a land that would make a great colony, populated by friendly natives who wouldn’t need to be conquered. A wealthy local official, Lucas Vazquez de Ayllon, was impressed by their report and soon got permission from the Spanish crown to found a new settlement in the land. Ayllon indebted himself funding the expedition of six ships and 600 colonists. Laden with supplies, they departed in July 1526 to found the first European colony in North America since the Vikings over five centuries before.^[1]

They soon ran into trouble. After they landed in Winyah Bay in August, their native pathfinders abandoned them, and their flagship sank, taking many of their supplies with it. Finding the land unsuitable for building a settlement, Ayllon organized a wide-ranging scouting mission. Based on the scouts’ reports, they headed toward another site over 320 kilometers (200 mi) away, which they finally reached in late September. They christened the new town San Miguel de Gualdape after the feast day of Saint Michael.

It was too late in the year to plant any crops, and the natives were unwilling to trade. The weather was much colder than they had expected, and disease, especially dysentery, killed many and made more unable to work. In early October, Ayllon himself died, and the colonists split into two groups, one wanting to stay and wait for resupply and the other wanting to abandon the colony. The dispute broke out into a full-blown mutiny in which the leading rebels were captured, and their homes were burned down by slaves. By November, the survivors had decided to abandon the settlement, but only after three quarters of the colonists had died.

9 Charlesbourg-Royal
1541

The next settlement to be built in North America was founded by Jacques Cartier, who had spent many years surveying the coast of Canada with the original aim of finding a safe sea route to China. Though he was unsuccessful, he did note several spots that he thought would be good places to settle, and with the king’s permission, he established a colony of roughly 400 people in modern-day Cap Rouge sometime between June and September 1541.^[2] He named this settlement Charlesbourg-Royal after Charles II, duke of Orleans.

At first, the colony was successful, surviving its first winter despite the harsh Canadian weather and being on neutral, if not friendly, terms with the native Iroquoians. They built a fort in two sections, one by the base of the river to protect the ships and houses and another at the top of a nearby hill for defense. The colonists went hunting for precious metals and found piles of diamonds and gold. It seems, however, that Cartier struggled to discipline his men, and unruly engagements with the Iroqouians turned them hostile. While they were supposed to wait for the arrival of de Roberval, the official leader of the expedition, Cartier and his men believed the colony would fail and departed for France in June 1542, slipping past de Roberval’s vessel under the cover of night. When he arrived in France, however, Cartier learned that the diamonds and gold they’d thought they’d found were actually worthless (but very similar-looking) minerals.

De Roberval took over control of the settlement, but the situation only worsened, and they abandoned it in 1543 after disease, bad weather, and clashes with the natives made the fort uninhabitable.

8 Fort Caroline
1564

St. Augustine is famous today for being the oldest continually inhabited European settlement in North America. The story could have been much different, though. In June 1564, a year before St. Augustine was founded, 200 French colonists built Fort Caroline on the Northeastern Florida coast.^[3] The fort’s garrison struggled to contain bouts of mutiny while they wrestled with attacks by the natives, hunger, and disease. The fort persisted, though the morale of its inhabitants was very low by the time the Spanish learned of its existence in early 1565.

The fort was reinforced by Jean Ribault and hundreds more colonists and soldiers in August, but by that time, the Spanish government had already organized an expedition to conquer it. The Spanish expedition, led by Pedro Menendez de Aviles, sailed up the northern coast but ran into Ribault’s fleet, who drove them off. The Spanish soldiers made landfall further south and built a fort. This fort would come to be known as St. Augustine. Ribault gathered an army of 600 and sailed south to destroy the new fort, but his fleet was hampered by a sudden storm. Menendez took advantage of the weather and marched overland to Fort Caroline, launching a surprise attack in September and seizing it, killing all inside except 50 women and children.

The Spanish burned the fort down, but Fort Caroline continued as a rebuilt Spanish outpost until 1568, when a French adventurer, de Gourgues, burned it down in revenge.

7 Santa Elena
1566

Two years before Ribault built Fort Caroline, he and his followers had founded Charlesfort further up the coast, in modern-day South Carolina. The settlement failed within a few months, and they ultimately moved to Fort Caroline. However, Menendez (pictured above), whether to add insult to injury to Ribault or because he liked the site, decided to resettle Charlesfort as the Spanish colony of Santa Elena. It was intended to be the capital of Spanish Florida, and the government was moved there from St. Augustine in 1566.^[4]

Santa Elena quickly became the center of military and religious missions going north, particularly for Juan Pardo’s expedition, which established a string of short-lived forts up the Appalachian mountain range, the furthest European colonists would venture inland for another century. Santa Elena itself was, alongside St. Augustine, the first successful long-term European colony in North America, thriving until it was attacked and burned by natives in 1576. The Spanish returned next year, and in 1580, they successfully pushed back an attack by 2,000 natives. Despite Santa Elena’s size and heavy fortification, however, the Spanish ultimately lost interest in the Carolinas and abandoned the settlement in 1587, choosing to focus their efforts on Central America instead.

6 Fort San Juan
1567

Following the colonization of Santa Elena, the Spanish crown planned to extend its influence inland through what they called La Florida—modern-day North and South Carolina. The goal was to find an overland route to Mexico which the Spanish could use to transport silver to St. Augustine and ship to Europe without having to contest the dangerous Caribbean waters.

This expedition was led by Juan Pardo, who took a force of 125 men with him. They soon came across the native town of Joara. Renaming it Cuenca and claiming it for Spain, the Spanish built a fort to control the town, Fort San Juan, and left a garrison of 30 to protect it before moving on.^[5] They built five more forts across the Carolinas, but none were as big as San Juan. Pardo never made it to Mexico: Hearing of a French raid on Santa Elena, he turned back and headed straight for the Floridian capital. He never returned to the Carolinas.

Soon after the main body of troops had returned to Florida, the natives turned on the Spanish and burned down all six forts, killing all but one of the Spanish soldiers, who only escaped by hiding in the woods. The Spanish never returned to the North American interior, considering the venture a huge failure.

5 Ajacan Mission
1570

In 1561, a Spanish expedition to Virginia captured a Native American boy. He was taken to Mexico, raised as a Catholic, and christened as Don Luis. He was taken to Madrid and even met the Spanish king before he became part of another Spanish expedition back to Virginia in 1570.^[6]

Father de Segura, an influential Jesuit in Cuba, planned to establish an unarmed religious mission in Virginia. While it was considered highly unusual at the time to send a mission without soldiers, he was granted permission. He and seven other Jesuits, a Spanish boy, and Don Luis, their interpreter and guide, set off for Virginia in August 1570. They arrived in September and built a small wooden mission before establishing contact with the nearby native tribes. Don Luis told them he wanted to find his home village, which he hadn’t seen in roughly a decade. The Jesuits let him go.

As time went on, the Jesuits became increasingly concerned that Don Luis had abandoned them. They tried to find him, since they couldn’t communicate with the natives without his help. In February 1571, three of the Jesuits found Don Luis’s village. Don Luis and the natives killed them, and then he led the native warriors to the mission, where the rest of the Jesuits were executed. Only the Spanish boy was spared. He was taken back to the village.

In 1572, a Spanish expedition returned and recovered the boy, killing 20 natives in retaliation. The mission was abandoned, however, and the Spanish never returned to Virginia.

4 Roanoke
1585

In 1584, Queen Elizabeth granted Walter Raleigh a charter giving him the right to establish a colony in North America. His goal was to establish a base from which to harass the Spanish treasure fleet, which was the main artery of Spain’s economy at the time, and also for future exploration of the continent. While Raleigh never visited North America himself, he financed and organized an expedition in 1584 which scouted out the area of modern-day North Carolina, mapping the region and bringing back two natives with knowledge of the tribal relationships in the area.

Based on this, Raleigh organized a second expedition in 1585. They landed in Roanoke in August and established a small colony of around 100 people.^[7] The fleet then returned to England to bring more supplies. In June 1586, the settlement was attacked by natives. Sir Francis Drake stopped at the colony shortly after and picked up the colonists, taking them back to England. The original fleet returned with supplies from England after that and, finding the colony abandoned, left a small contingent of 15 men behind to hold the island in Raleigh’s name before returning to England.

In 1587, Raleigh dispatched another 115 colonists to collect the contingent and take them to the Chesapeake Bay, where a new colony would be built. When they arrived in Roanoke, however, all they found of the 15 men was a single skeleton. The new colonists remained in Roanoke instead, and the fleet returned to England to find help and support. Unfortunately, the outbreak of war with Spain made the long sea voyage almost impossible, and it was late 1590 when the fleet was once again able to make it to Roanoke.

They returned to find the settlement abandoned. There was no sign of a struggle, and the buildings had been dismantled in an orderly way, suggesting there was no rush to leave. All they found was the word “CROATOAN” carved into a fence post, and the letters “CRO” on a nearby tree. Since the colonists had agreed to carve a Maltese cross if they’d had any difficulty, it was assumed that the colonists had moved to the nearby Croatoan Island. Bad weather prevented the English from checking, however, and they returned home. The English didn’t return until the colonization of Jamestown 17 years later, and they never found any definite trace of the Roanoke colonists.

3 Saint Croix Island
1604

Today, Saint Croix Island is an uninhabited island off the coast of Maine, with no public access. In the early 1600s, though, it was the site of an early French colony that was supposed to be the first permanently occupied (instead of seasonal) settlement in the region the French called Acadia, or l’Acardie. Since the failure of Charlesbourg-Royal some 60 years before, the French crown had shown little interest in modern-day Canada. But after the attempts to colonize Sable Island in 1598 and Tadoussac in 1600, French interest in Canada was growing again.

Saint Croix was chosen after considerable surveying of the region had identified the best possible locations for settlements.^[8] The island seemed ideal: Well-defended from both the natives and the English, it could only be attacked from one direction by boat, which made it very defensible. The soil was good, and there were plenty of trees.

In the early days of the colony, morale was high, and the settlement was established very quickly. Natives even visited to study the colony and asked the French to mediate their disputes. However, it began to snow on October 6. The winter had come earlier than expected and lingered a long time, sealing the settlers on the island as the river froze over. Many succumbed to a strange “land disease” which made their teeth fall out and sapped their energy. Later analysis of their bones revealed that they were plagued by scurvy.

When the original leader of their expedition, Francois Dupont, returned in June the next year with boatloads of supplies, they made the decision to move to a different site. The buildings were dismantled and shipped across the bay to the new site of Port-Royal.

2 Port-Royal
1605

Port-Royal (replica pictured above) was a much better-suited location for a thriving settlement.^[9] Located on the shore of a huge bay, the French envisioned it as potentially mooring hundreds of ships one day, so they gave it the name Port-Royal, or Royal Port. They built their first settlement against the northern mountains by felling trees and putting up a simple wooden palisade around the buildings for protection. Supported by the fertile soil and temperate climate, and assisted by the nearby Mikmaq people, they prospered. Concerned about the low morale at Saint Croix, they even established a social club which hosted frequent feasts and art shows, including theater productions. However, the colony had to be abandoned in 1607 after its founder, Pierre Dugua de Mons, had his fur-trading license revoked, removing the colony’s main source of income.

The colony was left in the hands of the Mikmaq and recolonized by a small French expedition in 1610. The colony never grew to any considerable size, however, and conflicts over the involvement of the Jesuits in the colony led to divisions. It was burned to the ground while the colonists were out by the English adventurer Samuel Argall. The colony was abandoned once again, and the settlers went to live among the Mikmaq.

1 Popham Colony
1607

Encouraged by growing English interest in North America, King James invested two companies with the rights to settle New England: the London Company and the Plymouth Company, both of which were parts of the Virginia Company.^[10] To foster competition, the king specified that the company whose colony was most successful would win the rights to own the land that lay between them.

After a flurry of excitement and investment, the London Company established their colony of Jamestown in Virginia, and the Plymouth company settled theirs at Popham in Maine. Unlike the Jamestown colony, which lost over half of its people to disease, the Popham colony was largely successful to begin with. Things took a turn, however, when they were unable to trade with the natives as much as they’d expected, and their leader, George Popham, died in 1608. They continued their efforts to expand the colony despite this, even building the first-ever English seafaring ship in North America, the Virginia.

The winter was bitterly cold. The colonists complained about the unceasing snow. A fire burned down the storehouse, destroying most of their supplies. Following food shortages, over half the colonists chose to return to England on the next supply ship. The remaining colonists were determined to continue on, however, and the summer was better.

The settlement was ultimately brought down by a crisis not in America but in England. A supply ship arrived carrying news that the colony’s new governor, Raleigh Gilbert, had inherited his family’s lands in England following his brother’s death. Raleigh decided to return to England. Unwilling to face the prospect of another harsh winter—this time without a leader—the rest of the colonists glumly agreed to return to England with him.

North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), is the most secretive and closed country in the world. Its leader, dictator Kim Jong-un, rules the country with an iron fist. The country is home to an estimated 120,000 political prisoners who live and work in harsh conditions and are subjected to torture. In addition, public executions are used as a tool to create fear. In the past decade, at least seven people have been publicly executed in North Korea for watching K-pop videos from South Korea.

It is no surprise then that, on average, thousands of North Koreans defect each year, although this number has been drastically declining. Less talked about, however, are the shocking times when people decided to defect to North Korea. In this list, we look at ten of the most shocking defections to North Korea.

Related: Top 10 North Korean Propaganda Films

10 James Dresnok

One of the most high-profile defectors to North Korea was U.S.-born James Dresnok. A U.S. soldier stationed on the Korean peninsula, Dresnok crossed the demilitarized zone (DMZ), after which he was apprehended by North Korean soldiers. He lived in North Korea until his death in 2016. His two sons remain in North Korea, professing their loyalty to the “dear supreme commander” Kim Jong-un in a 2017 interview.

Dresnok defected to the North on August 15, 1962, walking across a minefield. At the time of his defection, Dresnok was divorced and facing a court martial for forging his sergeant’s signature. In the 2006 documentary Crossing the Line, Dresnok admitted, “I was fed up with my childhood, my marriage, my military life, everything.” After defecting to the North, Dresnok became a film star, featuring in several propaganda movies, playing the role of the American bad guy. Dresnok maintained his loyalty to North Korea throughout his life, stating, “I feel at home. I really feel at home… I wouldn’t trade it for nothing.”^[1]

9 Charles Jenkins

Another U.S. soldier who shockingly defected to the North in 1965 was Charles Robert Jenkins, who remained in the DPRK until his escape in 2004. An army sergeant, one evening Jenkins crossed the demilitarized zone while drunk. By doing so, he hoped to avoid active combat duty in Vietnam. However, unlike his peer, James Dresnok, Jenkins immediately realized that he had made a terrible mistake. Following his defection, he found himself locked in a room with three other U.S. defectors (including Dresnok) and forced to study North Korean ideology for ten hours a day.

In 1972, Jenkins became a North Korean citizen and was given an apartment. In 1980, he married a Japanese citizen named Hitomi Soga, who had been kidnapped by the North Korean regime. In 2004, Jenkins managed to leave with his daughters to join his wife, who had been allowed to return to Japan. Upon his escape, Jenkins was a vocal critic of the North Korean regime, revealing stories of beatings, deprivation, and the removal of one of his testicles.^[2]

8 Choe Deok-sin

However, it is not just Americans who have defected to North Korea. On rare occasions, South Koreans have also made this perilous journey. One of the most high-profile South Korean defectors was Choe Deok-sin. Former Foreign Minister and Ambassador to West Germany, Choe defected to the North with his wife in 1986. In his early career, he had served as an officer of the Korean Liberation Army and, later, as head of the Korea Military Academy. However, he became increasingly disgruntled with the South Korean military government and immigrated to the U.S. with his wife. Ten years later, he announced that he would defect to the North, where he was welcomed.

Choe was celebrated in the DPRK until his death in 1989. In a bizarre turn of events, in 2019, Choe In-guk (Choe Deok-sin’s son) announced his defection from South Korea to North Korea, despite earlier criticism of his parents’ decision. Choe Deok-sin is believed to be the highest-ranking South Korean defector to the North.^[3]

7 Returning Home

What if you defect but change your mind? Defections to the South are common, but return trips to the North are much more unusual. Nevertheless, at the beginning of 2022, it was reported that a South Korean man had crossed the DMZ into North Korea. It was noted that such incidents are a rare occurrence. Yet, later investigation revealed that the believed-to-be South Korean defector was, in fact, a North Korean man who had defected to the South one year earlier. However, this has yet to be verified.

The man, whose identity has not been revealed, is thought to have experience as a gymnast, accounting for his skill in scaling the border fences. His motives for returning to the North are unknown. Yet, it is often reported that North Korean defectors face many difficulties in the South, including discrimination, bullying, and barriers to employment.^[4]

6 Larry Allen Abshier

The first U.S. soldier defector to North Korea, Larry Allen Abshier, abandoned his post in early 1962. Like his peers (see #9 and #10), Abshier was in trouble with his superiors. Stationed at the DMZ, Abshier had been found smoking marijuana on several occasions and was facing a court martial or even dismissal. In an effort to avoid such penalties, Abshier decided one day to walk across the heavily mined DMZ and into North Korea.

Two weeks after his arrival, Abshier was celebrated on DPRK propaganda channels and later became a film star, featuring in numerous North Korean movies. Yet, life in the DPRK was far from easy for Abshier, who was described by fellow defector Charles Jenkins as “the most scared” and “the simplest” of the Americans. Abshier was allegedly bullied by fellow defector Dresnok. The regime later “gave” Abshier a Thai wife, who had allegedly been kidnapped from Macau three months earlier. Unlike his fellow defectors, Abshier died at the early age of forty after suffering a heart attack.^[5]

5 Oh Kil-nam

One of the most controversial South Korean defectors was Oh Kil-nam. Having completed his Ph.D. in Germany in Marxist Economics, Oh was approached by North Korean agents who offered him an important post as an economist in the North Korean government. Despite his wife’s protests, he accepted, and Oh, his wife, and two daughters traveled to North Korea via East Germany and Moscow. There was no job waiting when they arrived, nor was there the promised medical treatment for his wife’s hepatitis. They were subsequently drilled in North Korean ideology.

Later, Oh was approached for a mission abroad where he would be based at the North Korean embassy in Denmark, tasked with entrapping South Korean students. Instead, when he arrived in Copenhagen, he begged for help. He was detained by Danish authorities for several months before being sent to Germany to try and free his family. Yet, it was already too late. Oh’s family had been arrested and taken to a concentration camp. He last heard from them in 1991 and has no idea whether they are still alive.^[6]

4 Roy Chung

Another defection to the North which made headlines was that of Roy Chung (Chung Ryeu Sop). Chung was a twenty-two-year-old South Korean man who had immigrated to the U.S. with his family in 1973. He joined the U.S. Army and, in 1979, while serving with his unit stationed in West Germany, went absent without leave and was declared a “deserter.” Two months later, he resurfaced in North Korea, apparently unable to endure “the disgraceful life of national insult and maltreatment” of the U.S. Army.

Despite claims of his defection, his parents, who lived in the U.S., were adamant that their son had been abducted by North Korean agents. Meanwhile, U.S. officials said they had no reason to doubt the North Korean version of events and did not investigate the matter, given that Chung had not been privy to any classified information. What happened to Chung following his defection is unknown.^[7]

3 Matthew Todd Miller

Without a doubt, the most bizarre case of defection to the North is that of Matthew Todd Miller. In April 2014, the twenty-four-year-old American tourist entered North Korea via an arranged tour. However, upon arrival in the country, he proceeded to tear up his visa and ask for political asylum. Miller was arrested and detained for a “gross violation” of North Korea’s legal order.

In September 2014, Miller was sentenced to six years of hard labor for entering the country illegally and committing “hostile” acts. However, he was subsequently released on November 8, 2014, along with fellow American Kenneth Bae, who had been given a fifteen-year sentence for anti-governmental activities. In explaining his actions following his release, Miller said, “I was just trying to stay in the country.” He further explained that his true goal was to learn about North Korea and “speak to an ordinary North Korean about normal things.”^[8]

2 Pak Jong-suk

Another case of “double defection” arose in 2012 with the much-celebrated return of sixty-six-year-old Pak Jong-suk to North Korea. Pak defected in 2006 to join her father in the Chinese city of Qingdao. Here, Pak claims she was tricked by South Korean security agents into defecting to the South, where she lived for six years. It is reported that Pak subsequently flew back to the North via China on May 25, 2012.

Upon her return, Pak gave a public press conference. She apologized for “betraying her motherland” and praised the “profound loving care” that the North Korean leader had displayed to her on her homecoming. In the 80-minute conference, she detailed her hardships while living in the “corrupt money-crazed South.” Despite her convincing display of allegiance, many are skeptical. They consider that Pak returned to the North due to her concerns for her family and not a longing for her homeland. They deem her story to be largely false and State fed.^[9]

1 Joseph White

Lastly is Joseph White, another U.S. soldier who defected to the North in 1982. White joined the U.S. Army in October 1981 and was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea in March 1982. On the morning of August 28, 1982, he suddenly abandoned his post in the DMZ and crossed into North Korea at the age of twenty for “motives that are not known.” North Korean officials announced that he had sought political refuge in the country because of “deep emotion.”

In 1983, White’s parents received a letter from their son assuring them that he was well and working as an English teacher. Sadly, two years later, in 1985, White drowned while swimming in the Chongchon River. The river was reportedly rain-swollen, and White became caught in a swirl of fast water. Friends were unable to save him. He died aged just twenty-three.^[10]