UKAP and Croquet

Had a really super Sunday afternoon at the British Deputy High Commission in Karachi. We had the use of the staff facilities, swimming pool, grass lawn for Croquet and the indoor bar and amenities. The idea was to have a get together for the members and guests. We did well with about 40 persons turning up. Everyone brought with them some snacks and their own drinks. We had a few games of croquet and rounded them off with some Pimms. excellent way to while away time in Karachi.

Hallowe'en

First of November already. (only 54 day till Christmas). I've been back in Karachi 10 days and it seems like yesterday that I was drinking a long cold Singha beer in Thailand. Good dream!!! It is only after 10 days, i.e. today that I got to go round to seeing Captain Farouqui (my shipping agent) and explain to him why I had not made it up to Karachi in my sailing boat.

We both had a cup of tea and discussed my adventure and mutually agreed it was not meant to be, and, that, well that was the end of it!! He, like me, put it down to an 'Act of God', "Gods wish" if you like. Divine intervention the reasoning of which we both assused ourselves will become apparent at some future time. Simple philosophy.

So what have I been up to apart, of course, from work. Not much but planning this weekend to go to the Sunday Defence area Market and pick up a few bargains. The weekend is sure to be hot, sunny and dusty like every other day this week so I'll make hte most of it cause when it rains every road is blocked and we all complain.

Great excitment as we have a chap coming out from UK on Tuesday for some work asignments. He is bring me my fishing rods, so, yes some more fishing stories coming up. Talking of which there is a very active Pakistan Game Fishing Association which is holding its annual sea fishing competition this weekend but I am not geared up for the trawling etc. Pity. Think I'll opt out this time.

Actually what I have been looking for to put on this Blog is a video of a camel pulling a cart. What you ask? Donkeys and carts are very common and I'm sure you can all visualise them but a camel. Well that's quite a different thing. I've seen three lots of them this week, each time when I was without a camera!!! '#$%^'. Tomorrow/Saturday that will change. I will, whatever it takes post a short camel and cart video. So watch out for Oscars 'al la Karachi' Coming shortly to a movie house near you!!!

No booze... What? No *&#@$#*@ way

Just remembers while sitting here in the office waiting for my transport. If tomorrow is Ramadan then the beer shops are closed..... Yes, really they are closed till end of the fasting period.

Possible major drama to be played out here. I will have to get my driver organised this evening to make sure I'm stocked up. You see living in Karachi requires forward planning that you can only begin to imagine about. Must rush. See you!

Saturday Night in...

Night life is not one of Karachi's strong points. Socializing tends to focus on restaurants or going round to peoples houses and even that not so often. But there are several compensations including having friends round for a few drinks and dinner.

Last night therefore was fun. Ian and Aldo come round and we ordered in. Local Bar B Q tonight does a free delivery and its really quite amazing just how much they can load onto one motor bike!!!

We are four, get this only four persons. We ordered accordingly or at least that was the idea. On arrival the delivery boy was fully laden down. We had 8 massive nan breads massive rack of lamb, giant prawns, rice, kebabs, salads, sauces and more Turkish salad and homos.

We got stuck in and for about 3 hours just sat around the table eating and telling stories and more eating. Had a few beers to wash it all down. However after 3 hours we had hardly made a dent in it all. The remains filled the fridge. All in all a very good night.

Snake Charmer

Sometimes you have to wonder about life. At lunch time I went with Khalid for a really good Byrannii. (Spelling?...) Outside the restaurant there were snake charmers. I decided I would come back on Saturday and show Wanna. So got home and having a beer on the veranda we looked down. Would you believe it a snake charmer. Stop the beer and jump into the lift. Down we rushed to the ground floor to take a few photos. The snake guy seemed really relaxed and even more surprising was the kid with him. After the 2 minute show the little kid just picked up the snake and played with him like a puppy.


Good to see and unbelievable that at only lunch time I was thinking of the same thing and it turns up on your front door.

16th May Owens Birthday. We and Crew were all still on La Digue. Owen went out for the day with Pam and we all pretended we had forgotten his birthday. Of course we hadn't. We had arranged a dinner for him at Bertine's place. Beautiful Red Snapper, Bat curry and sausages and lentils. Wine and of course presents. Well the presents were the La Digue Rasta Hat!!!! A couple of blue tablets...... (Viagra for those of you who are a bit slow). It was all good fun.


And then to crown it all a visit to the casino. We all won. Denise possibly did the best but it was a lucky night with us all coming out with something.

Looking after our house

Up early with Wanna preparing to make the offering to the Land Spirits for looking after our house. She had prepared the fish, chicken, pork, cake and fruit to be placed in front of the Spirit House. We needed some rum so I was assigned to go off in search for a shop that was open. No easy task on a Sunday Morning on La Digue. Needless to say I got strange looks when requesting two bottles of rum at 7.30 am!!!! But we succeeded. Returned and everything was ready. Then Wanna performed the small ceremony to the Spirits.

The rest of the morning was spent painting the windows. Charles did the green on the shutters and I did the frames. We did one side of the house. Bit more to go. But slowly slowly we’ll get it done.


So then we relaxed and had some lunch. Think I’ll go off fly fishing for a while.

The one that got away

11th May 2007. We all set sail for La Digue. Great trip Charles caught a King Fish, we estimated it to be about 20-40 pounds. Unfortunately it got away at the edge of the boat. It was big. Check the photo and you decide. I have not seen the rod bend as much as this one did. We did not have a gaff! Again on arrival the Harbour was empty. Great. Then home. Lynne and Wanna went cycling off to the shops. The men had a few beers… Then a few more. We had a Bar B Q then all off to bed.

Sarah's Birthday

10 May 2007. Went back to Mahe and joined up with Owen, Charles and Lynnie. It was also Sarah’s 20th Birthday. Great evening at La Pearle Noire Restaurant at Beau Vallon. Everyone really enjoyed.

The Crew arrived

Monday 7th May. The Crew arriving. Owen Charles and Lynnie arriving this morning. We got up early and watched the dawn break. Then at 7.00am saw Air Seychelles arriving. Quick shower and off to the airport. Wrong flight!!! They will be arriving at 10.00am. On worries back to town and check the internet etc. Decent coffee and we were ready to get back to the airport. They all arrived and were quickly out of the airport. First stop Graham’s house. Everyone had a cold beer on the way!!!! Then we went down to Prinos. Had a look round and made the decision that they would stay on Mahe for a few days and have a look round etc.

Dinner at Fairy Land. Pam joined us and we had a great evening. We all had fish and chops!!! The photo shows Charles telling a story. Can’t remember if he as showing the size for fish he caught or the size of live bait.

Next day Wanna and I set sail for La Digue and had a good if somewhat uneventful trip. No fish. Very few tourists about so we managed to have plenty of space to moor up Prinos. The house was fine. We unlocked it expecting to find some damage or signs of rats, mice etc. Nothing. Quick sweep of the floor and all was ready for use. Got the bicycles out and off to the shops. Every one was great, “Hello welcome back… How are you?” Lovely feeling.

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.

China maybe Great but on this occasion not for me

Our plane was 1 hour late leaving Hong Kong and then is did an aborted landing. I was busy watching the ground rise and give us a big bump. But no! We were just about landed and next thing I knew we started to climb again. Stayed up for another 35 minutes. Apparently we had to use another runway. Seemed a bit late to me to find that out when your wheels are down and a few hundred feet of the ground. Still they never tell you the truth or real reason.

We landed safely and Alastair was saying that in all his years of travel it had only happened once before in Sydney. Eddie had never had it happen on his flights.

So anyway we were down and it was all quick quick after then. Through immigration and customs straight to the Sheraton. Booked and took our bags to the rooms. 10 minutes later we age off to a meeting.

The meeting was 3.00pm till 5.00pm followed by dinner. Excellent dinner with various Chinese treats. Had a couple of beers and a sip of wine.

We were home by 8.30. Just about to settle down early when Alastair called "Fancy a night cap its only 8.30?... See you in lobby at 9.30?" “Sure…..” a dangerous response…

We sat and chewed the fat and consumed a high number of beers till 1.05am then bed.

Alastair and Eddie were on an early flight so I did not see them again.

Just got to bed and at 3.00am I was up with the really rumbly tummy and as sick as a dog. It’s been that way till3.30 this afternoon when I went to a pharmacist. Still feel like shit. No Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square for me. Next time. Reckon I’ve lost about 2 kilos. Worst I’ve been since I had malaria about 9 years ago.

Off to Bangkok in a couple of hours. I’ll make sure I get an aisle seat!!! Let’s hope things improve.

Karachi Dry? Is it? I don't think so.

Two posts in one day. Excelling myself.

Most of you know I enjoy the odd beer or two and on rare occasions even three. Well Karachi has its own Brewery and Distillery. I had arrived here thinking Karachi was dry and that the Good Lord had sent me here for a greater good. ( read drying out...). However having had an evening in the British Club (Rose and Crown) which was after 20 days being dry it reconfirmed to me that 'yes' a few beers were not only medicinal but also fun!!!

Needless to say I made a few enquiries about availability of such substances within the Karachi Municipality. I am extremely pleased to inform you that beer and a wide range of spirits are readily available over the counter in Karachi. One can also apply as a non Muslim for a proper drinking permit ( which I will do in due course) but back to the present, yes, it is available in Karachi in an off licence. I must stress that no drinking in public is allowed. Sales of booze include provision of both plastic and paper bags from the shop for carrying such produce to ensure they remain 'incognito'.

I discovered this one shop. Only the one so far up. Located up a side street. See the picture on the right. The photo of the shop is not very clear but it is the one in the middle of the picture with faint strip lights. I know, the photo looks like one of those taken in a TV documentary when on the trail for discovering illicit drug dealing etc but no, this is a 100% genuine legal enterprise. Just has a bad marketing location. Perhaps if you take into consideration the fact that one cannot openly advertise the sale of alcohol in Pakistan then the lack of dazzle and bright lights can be better understood. So maybe it is the converse it is a good location?? Works for me, I found it. Enough said.

Whatever your thinking on the location I can assure you the produce is good. The beer is made in the Murree Brewery in Rawalpindi and is quite excellent. Travels well and is sold chilled at just above freezing. The Whiskey is from the Indus Distillery in Karachi. Sold in plastic bottles!!!!I have yet to try it. So now seems a good idea to stop this Blog and to do just that. Good Night!!

My first Saturday in Karachi

Saturday morning and no work. Great. At last a chance to look round Karachi. I’ve got a small map from the lonely plant guide book. Not very details and the hotel one is even worse.

Having studied the map of down town Karachi I realised there were a lot of things to see. One thing clearly missing. Bars. There are no bars or clubs but what the hell, they can wait till next holiday making that beer all the more sweet when the time comes.

I decide to walk around. First the markets. The main on is Saddar Bazzar which is about 1 1/2 kilometres from the hotel. Easy to find just leave the hotel hang a right then a left!!!! Easy? And easy it was. Only thing to watch for was the traffic. As with all city centres it does not have a clear start or demarcation line but before you realise you are in the bazaars. If you needed directions the best advice is follow the dust. The whole place is dusty but the nearer the market the more the dust. Easy!!

It sells everything from pots and pans to outlandish plastic flowers and the ever present assortment of T shirts and jeans. It would not have been complete without the street hawkers selling ‘genuine ray bans’ and fabulous ‘Rolex’ watches.

There was one block of shops that specialised in leather coats and sheep skin jackets. Really good quality. You can pick up a decent leather jacket for about 100US$.

Then there are the gold shops. If there was one there were 100 all selling the same type of jewellery. The gold is that bright yellow colour you associate with Middle East gold. And no I did not check the prices.

But what is a bazzar without these things. All part of it right. I wondered thought a range of streets some small some pedestrian only. One of the first things you notice if the lack of women. I’ll rephrase that to the ‘absence of women”…

The few I did see were pretty. The ones covered in black from top to bottom..? Well they could be attractive underneath it all but I did not get to see...

The walking in the sun and heat and the ever present dust made me want of a long cold beer. I fancied finding some shady place, some little hidden away bar of café where I could sit down and watch the world go by. Not to be. No beer and no hidden away café. So next best thing was to get myself a cool fresh orange juice at a street sided stall. You know what? It was great! Took Abdul about 5 minutes to hand crush the oranges and make me a long cool drink. You know what? It was good, very good but did not quite make t to being as good as a cold beer!

Then I sat at the juice bar, juice in hand people watching. I don’ for one minute think I fooled anyone that I was a local just watching the world go by but it was fun and totally hassle free. The place, it never stopped, people rushing from one place to another, jumping on and of busses and constantly haggling on the price of whatever they were after. The whole place is a kaleidoscope of colours, sounds and the smells. Almost a totally new range of sensations.

The people and the shops with all their bright colours to the busses painted in very colour of the rainbow. I got to wondering just how long does it take to paint a bus. Years surely?

It was such a wide range of smells for deep fry to fragment curries and spices and that sort of mixed humanity that comes for some many people together.

Anyway enough of the sitting I’ve go to go. When I set out this morning I had given myself 3 hours max as this afternoon is apartment hunting.

And last but not least Karachi Supreme Court. Be good!!!