Elephants and Things

After 18 months in Karachi, making good friends and seeing a tiny bit of Pakistan (nowhere near enough of it) it is with a lot of good memories and regrets that we leave. Where to?.. Thailand new job, new location etc. So new Blog. Should do. I fancy writing about my daily life and pick up on the odd things, quirky stuff you know, like seeing 7 people on a motor bike, along with the family dog of course! Loads of just things for reflection. What to call it. How about 'Alan in Thailand'.... Hardly original. Somehow I don't think so. Not this time round. Also I found I never wrote about times outside of Karachi, overseas trips etc. They never seemed to fit in with the title. I went on line to try and find some inspiration and came across a good Blog which ran it's own competition for anew name. Made my efforts seem lightweight!!! http://chrisncarol-onlyinthailand.blogspot.com/ Very impressed and hope you don't mind the mention here.

How do you follow that. err.........

Alan not in Karachi ?

Alan after Karachi ?

Beyond Karachi ?

Karachi no more ?

Life after Karachi ?

On from Karachi ?

Also given my wife is called Wanna and is Thai and that one friend always writes to us 'Wannal' maybe something from that.

Bananas ? (Why I hear you ask, no idea it just came into my head!!!)

Somtam phu ?

Issan ?

Life moves on ?

Chang ?

Elephants (and things that go bump in the night)

OK Elephants it is. Opps just checked with Google and its taken. No real surprise there.

So http://elephantsandthings.blogspot.com/

That's it

bye bye to this Blog. Hows the famous saying go

"The Blog is dead, Long live the Blog"

(That's corny to the extreme).

See you at the new Blog.

Sunday Lunch

After my strange lunch with it all being lost in translation (see last post). It was really good to have a sit down lunch with a bunch of Wanna's friends. We went round to Oi's house and together with her family and two other families had some noodles and fish with assorted veggies etc making a great meal. The mixture of nationalities was no real surprise being UK, Pakistan and Thai with the surprise of one Japanese. Good food and good company. Very pleasant and relaxing Sunday.

Thai Expo Karachi

There has been a Thai Expo on at the PC Hotel in Karachi for the last 3 days. We visited on the opening day and again this morning. Its a small affair with about 45 exhibitors mainly in the fruit juice and perfume industries. Most seemed to be looking for local agents. In addition there were a few plastic and mechanical companies. Ejaz our friend fell into the latter category. He runs a company called All Tech selling epoxy flooring, and automated computer controlled workshop and welding equipment.We visited all the stalls and of course used his in our Blog!

Norfolk

We made it up to Norfolk by tube, rail and car to get to stay with Owen. Well worth the journey. We caught up with Mother and then had a wander around Thetford followed by an excellent dinner with Charlie and Linnie. Paul joined us as well as Owens son Andrew. Charlie was a bag of nerves making some excellent Thai food and waiting for Wanna's approval. Talk about a cat on hot bricks. Which I am pleased to say he got full 1000% approval so much so Wanna had a second helping! The food was excellent and a good evening was had by all. As usual Charlie had a couple of good jokes to get us all in the mood. Just wish I could remember them. Wanna got into Rasta mode!!!!!

Chilling out on a Saturday

Had a lazy Saturday. Went to work for the morning and fortunately Wanna dragged me out at about 3.00pm. Good thing as otherwise I would have been there forever. We then went off to visit a Thai friend, Her husband is a fanatical model plane flyer. I say models these things are 2 meters long!! And he's got hundreds of them. I'm been invited to join him at the flying club when I get back from Seychelles. Should be fun. Getting to their house took about 45 minutes as they are out near the National Stadium. I know, where's that anyway!! I could not find it on my own either. Anyway interesting trip through the traffic. Entering the compound (under construction) I could not help but notice the pick axe stuck in the desk. Check out the photo. Odd or what? Someone does not like office work!!

The King and I

Very good evening at the pearl Continental Hotel to Celebrate the King of Thailand's 80th Birthday. Probably over 300 people there mainly foreign Embassy and Consulate types but quite a few business people as well. Obviously on this occasion also the Thai community residing in Karachi. And there seem to be a lot of them.

The evening started at 7.30 pm and consisted of meeting other people and having an excellent buffet of Thai and Pakistan cuisine. Interesting mixture. The whole thing wrapped up about 9.30 and after the departure of the 'foreign guests' the Thai contingent sang a couple of songs to the King. Unfortunately I did not get it on film. A good evening was had by all.

Lazy days and holidays to come

Life's been quiet this last few weeks. Not sure that means no activity or to many different things on the go. Christmas is only about 30 days away. Between now and then we need to do some shopping and get organised for events!!


Wanna has been busy with the Thai contingent and last night came home with Pakistan chicken curry which she had been taught to make. Not bad either!!!


We had a lazy day on Sunday. No fishing. Went to work and then a drive round Karachi. Even ended up in Dunkin' Donuts for coffee and quassions. Very good.


Next few weeks social side will involve Thai Kings Birthday singing, Christmas Carols, shopping for Christmas and a bit of work thrown in.

I'm off to a place called Olmara on Saturday. Its West of Karachi about half way along the Pakistan coast towards Iran. About 350 kilometers away. I'm off to look at a submarine base where we might soon be having some work. Its a round trip of about 14 hours and I might be able to include an hours fly fishing. Will let you know. From the Ariel photo the place looks pretty barren to me.

The Kings 80th Birthday..? Who...Elvis?...

What am I talking about? The King? Elvis, but he's dead ? And Pakistan has a President and given the current political situation I of all people should be aware of that. So just who am I talking about.


The King of Thailand is who I am referring to. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. It is his 80th Birthday on 5th December and Wanna having met several Thai ladies (see earlier posting) has been invited to the celebrations at the Thai Consulate. But as part of the deal she got roped into a practice singing session in readiness of the big event. Its great as she now has contacts in Karachi and meeting lots of new people. All bodes well for the future.


I do find it strange seeing Thai ladies in Pakistan dress styles. But leaving that aside they are all so welcoming and I can for see some good times ahead. Probably starting with the Celebrations next week.


After that there are more events leading up to Christmas. That's at the British High Commission on 11th December.

Dinner Thai Style in Karachi

We made it. Would you believe it took 45 minutes for me with one hand on the steering wheel and the other stuck to my left ear with a mobile phone in it to just find the place. Well worth it. We had a great evening, good company and met some very interesting people. There are over 20 Thai Ladies in Karachi most married to local Pakistan men from Karachi. Some have been here over 30 years and appear to love it. (As Michael Caine would say "not many people know that...").

For me the best part was seeing Wanna have a chance to meet other Thai people who were here and I am sure it can only help to make her stay more enjoyable.

From her excitement in the car afterwards on the way home I understood Karachi was begining to look good. Seems cards and whiskey are on the menu for next week!!! Oh yes and dinner was excellent. We'll be going back!!!!

Early night was supposed to be the plan. Fishing 06.00 tomorrow morning... Well its 11.45pm here and still to put the line on the new reel... Off to bed.

Wanna arrived Wednesday evening

Time to clean up the place and get a few bits of food in. Fridge has plenty of beer but not much else. Looks good from a bachelor view point but that’s about it.

So off to Makro, new store just opened in Karachi. Same as we have in UK. Big warehouse type place and as you can imagine all stuff packed high to the roof tops. Well I bough a cold box and a water cooler. That should do for the days out. (for days out read fishing!). My thoughts were I’ll get the rest of the household stuff nearer home.

Wanna arrived late about 11.00pm Wednesday evening. Had a quiet evening in on Thursday.

Then today, Friday called in at the Thai Consulate. I had called them yesterday to ask about information on other Thai people living in Karachi. They were unable to pass on this information for privacy reasons. Quite correct.

So on arrival they invited us in and we met the Consul. Very helpful. By the time we left we had received a formal invitation to the Kings 80th Birthday celebrations scheduled for 5th December. Wanna had signed up for National Voting (Scheduled for next month) sounds a sort of familiar thing elections under a Military Government. Think it was the Thia one she was signed up for. Never know these days!!!!

And while at the Consuilate they bhada put her through on the 'dog and bone' to two Thai ladies already living in Karachi.

Great visit infact quite a success. So time for a celebration lunch, off we went for a blow out Chinese Buffet at a local hotel. Only after we were both about 5 kilos heavier and just were trying to ease our way from the table, difficult with so much extra weight, did Wanna’s phone start ringing. It was uncanny almost on queue!!!!! You need to understand it’s a brand new phone I gave her with a new pay as you go number, only installed on the way to the Consulate. Amazing who would know her number CIA?... Thai Security Services?….. All a bit worrying. She answered “Sawadee Crap”.

‘Le piece de resistance’ (cannot be right spelling) it was another Thai lady who was phoning. 'Thai radio bamboo' is clearly faster that CIA or Thai Security!!!! The Thai lady rang explaining she had just been told Wanna was a new girl in Karachi and was ringing to invite us to join them at the opening of a new Thai Restaurant. That’s tonight!!! Did not think anything moved that fast in big K.

Big problem with such an invite. Where am I going to stack another 5 kilos of good Green Curry and rice on top a full Chinese lunch is anyone’s guess…... Will not be a pretty sight that's for sure. So no photos of this evenings bash thats for sure.

Bangkok

Hi, Just got back from Bangkok. Left last Friday evening and got back on Monday evening. Spent most of the time with Wanna and together on the Monday went and sorted out her visa for Pakistan. So all in all successful. I needed it and when I got back to Karachi I felt so refreshed. Adopted a new approach to work. Well trying to slow down a bit and take things one at a time. Seems to have worked including coming home early at 5.30 instead of the usual 6.30.

We've got Ramadan next month so I expect to see some changes in the office hours. Might get a bit of fishing in. Yes I've been promised a trip on Sunday so photos to follow.

Sailing into Karachi

Life seems to have flown by with little or real news for you all. Well today I am off to see the Chairman of the Karachi Port Trust to find out how I get my boat into Karachi for the remaining duration of my stay. Should be interesting because as far as I can make out there is no reason why not but this afternoon will tell.

Then tomorrow I am off to Bangkok for the weekend. Will keep you posted. Is that a pun?

Weekend away in Bangkok

Decided to have a day off work and got to visit Wanna in Bangkok. I left Karachi on the 2.30 am flight. Horrible time to fly as you seem to be waiting for the time to board so you can get on the plane and sleep.


Arrived in Suvarnambumi airport. Met by Wanna and Phuk. Straight to Bangkok to check the condos. They are about 30 percent build. No rush for completion as I am not sure how we are going to pay when its ready!!!


Then to lunch just across the road with our very good friend Khun Prathan. Had our usual fried rice and cold tea. It was good to catch up and hear the news. After that we needed to go to the Pakistan Embassy to get Wanna's visa. By now I'm getting tired. Sort of jet lag of lack of sleep. So get the visa and then off to do some quick shopping. We bought some 'crocs' shoes. Sort of plastic clogs. Verrrry comfortable. About 20 pounds a pair.


Then down to Pattaya for the weekend. Only down side was that on Beach road 'crocs' well copies of 'crocs' are only 3 pounds!!


Sunday arrived too quickly and it is back to reality and sunny Karachi. Yes sunny which is great. The rains seem to have gone away.

Karachi Airport

Caught the Thai flight 17.30 and off we went. At duty free we got a good deal on some 12 year old Jameson’s and Black label. No worries there. Even got a special offer free ‘carry bag’ with the 2 bottles of Black Label.

Good flight. Air Hostess from Thailand busy telling Wanna about the good shopping in Karachi. Cotton silks etc so my credit card was over spend before we landed!!

In flight announcement. “Passengers please note no alcoholic drinks are allowed into Pakistan’. ‘Did you hear that?’ asked Wanna. Surely you knew that before you wasted all that money in the duty free!!” ‘Don’t worry all will become clear..”

“Where are we?” asks Wanna. Where was Customs and Immigration and who are these men with guns?” “Darling we’ve finished with all that. You just walked through the Diplomatic Channel and Customs is not part of the deal!!! That is what these kind gentlemen are here for. See no customs, no worries about whiskeys etc. Now these ‘men with guns’ will follow us home to make sure we don’t get lost’.

Easy. ‘So what do you think of Karachi so far?....” “err err…” Sure you’re not blond?

Bangkok

Arrived in one piece. Whatever the pharmacist had given me worked. The plane was an hour late leaving and 45 minutes late landing so we made up some time. All this without another practice landing!!

Wanna was at the airport to meet me so it was a wonderful arrival. We had planned to go up to Bangkok for the evening but it was so late we just went home. Again all go go and more go.

Saturday morning did not wake up till nearly mid day. Went with Wanna into Pattaya to buy a few things and most importantly to see the new shop. Looks good. Sells food and beer and appears to be doing well.

Then back again to the house to sort out a few things for our trip back to Karachi followed by dinner with family and friends. Great day. Not a late night so we could enjoy Sunday.