Artists watch burning an effigy of Lady Maslenitsa as they celebrate Maslenitsa, or Pancake Week, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, March 13, 2016. Maslenitsa is widely viewed as a pagan holiday marking the end of winter and is celebrated with pancake eating and shows of strength, while the Orthodox Church considers it as the week of feasting before Lent. (Photo by Shamil Zhumatov/Reuters)

Korean War veteran Jon Sun Rye, 83 years old, walks after she paid respect to former leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il at Mansu Hill in Pyongyang, North Korea, 15 April 2016. North Korea is marking the “Day of the Sun”, celebrating the day of birth of the country's founder, Kim Il-sung. The Day of the Sun is a national holiday. (Photo by Franck Robichon/EPA)

An Indigenous schoolchild dressed in traditional attire takes part in a rally to commemorate Indigenous Resistance Day in Catarina town, Nicaragua October 12, 2016. This holiday coincides with Columbus Day which commemorates Christopher Columbus landing in America in 1492. But rather than celebrating the discovery of the Americas, the Nicaraguans observe Indigenous Resistance Day to celebrate the bravery of the indigenous population in the fight against the Spanish conquistadors. (Photo by Oswaldo Rivas/Reuters)

Japanese women wearing kimonos take a selfie as they attend their Coming of Age Day celebration ceremony at Toshimaen amusement park in Tokyo, Japan on January 14, 2019. Coming of Age Day is a Japanese holiday held every January to celebrate people who have reached 20 – the official age of adulthood in Japan. (Photo by Issei Kato/Reuters)

Indonesian residents look at the Mount Sinabung volcano as it spews volcanic ash near the Tiga Pancur village in Karo, North Sumatra on August 3, 2016. Volcanic eruptions in Indonesia in recent days have forced the closure of two airports and disrupted some flights to the holiday island of Bali, officials said August 3. Mount Sinabung, a volcano on the western island of Sumatra which has been rumbling for some time, also erupted violently on August 2, although its ash clouds did not disrupt any flights. (Photo by Y.T. Haryono/AFP Photo)

A creature bathes at the Robolights art installation by Kenny Irwin Jr. in Palm Springs, California December 15, 2014. The installation consists of hundreds of whimsical robot and other themed sculptures created from recycled materials including golf carts, kitchen appliances and microwaved smart phones, and is open to the public each holiday season on the sprawling Irwin family property. (Photo by David McNew/Reuters)

Crampus from Netherworld Haunted House with Amber Thompson, spa staff, at Bliss Spa at W Atlanta Downtown hotel on Thursday, October 7, 2014. A self-guided, dark attraction known for its over-the-top special effects, intense make-up, costuming and stunt actors as well as unique monsters, unusual themes and chilling detail, Netherworld Haunted House in Atlanta is taking over the Halloween holiday this season for its 18th season. (Photo by Hyosub Shin/AJC)

North Korea has closed its borders in fear of the spread of the Ebola virus. But at a time when the secretive state was still welcoming tourists, former aid worker Andrew Macleod made the journey to the repressive nation. Andrew's holiday snaps and camera footage provide a unique insight into the reclusive country, where he came across deserted motorways, metro stations plastered with propaganda and attractive border guards. Here: a female traffic police officer in the snow in February 2013, in Pyongyang, North Korea. (Photo by Andrew Macleod/Barcroft Media)