Celoteh Karachi
We landed at Faisal PAF Base at noon and straight proceed to Regent Plaza in a motorcade of three buses led by an outridder. Upon leaving the base parameters, we were engulfed with the daily traffic. The traffic is madness here. Nothing to describe the magnitude of the situation. Seems to be very little law and order. The road here is the place of the `survival of the fittest', `might is right', and `who dare wins'. The road seems to be the lifeline and the veins of the city as people mixed with rickshaws, busses, colourful trucks, police cars, ambulance, horses carts, donkey carts, motorcycles, bicycles, jaywalkers, vagabonds and beggars spend much of their times on the roads. Honking is a must and the louder the better. One positive aspect though. Everybody seems to be taking this madness in a stride and kept their cool. No tempers and certainly no road bullies here. The pollution is is also another story. It is so dusty that we have to clean our pipes daily.
The highlight of our six days in Karachi visiting the Bazaars and trip on the PN Ships. The bazaar is very crowded with locals and also tourists. Malaysians seems to frequent this place as most of the shop owners tried to converse with us in Malays. At this bazaar, the clothing and fabrics are relatively cheaper then in Islamabad. We bought some leather goods, shirts and clothing materials.
We also had a good time when we were taken for a ride on PNS Shahjahan, a Type 21 Frigate. This frigate is an ex RN Ship when it was commissioned as HMS Active (probably saw actions in the Falklands). Her sister ship, PNS Badr also joined for some serials. We sailed into the Arabian Sea and severals serials were demonstrated. It includes boarding using fast assault boat (Zodiac) and Sea King helos (counter-terrorism). The assault came from the stern at very fast speed and delivered six special forces personnel. It was a daring and dangerous manoeuvers boarding the frigate at such a high speed. Other serials includes, jack-stay transfer where three of our colleagues volunteered to be transfers. PNS Badr came to about 1000 feet from our frigate and this is also an interesting manoeuvre. We were also shown deck landing by an Alouette helo. We later had lunch before sailing back into the harbour. We really had a lot of fun time, and throughout we were served with unlimited food and drinks. I was amazed by the cleanliness and the professionalism of the crew. Well done to the captain and crew of PNS Shahjahan. Keep up the good work.
We also visited a new Navy Base at Omara and a new port infrastructure at Gwadar. It was a day trip with the C 130. Gwadar is very close with the Iranian border and from the briefing given the port should be `operational' by Jun 06. Umm.. I doubt!!
The day before we depart for Islamabad, we had a picnic at the beach. It was arranged by the PN at one of their beach chalet. We played beach volleyball and cricket. Here I have my first hand at cricket, and my local colleagues said that I have the hang of it. Can you believe that? For lunch, I had some semosas and `haleem' a local delicacy resembling lentil soup. It was a bit spicy but since I enjoyed it I have seconds. I think this act proved unwise as I developed a bad tummy upset that night (as related in the preceding blog).
In Karachi also we have an opportunity to meet the family of one of my colleague. The family is wonderful. We were very welcomed and felt at home. We had dinner with them.
One of the nights we were also taken for a dinner at a popular place called `Bar-B-Q Tonight'. This place is jam packed with patrons. It had five levels and served local dishes of kebabs, nans, chickens and muttons. It also served something different than Islamabad, that is fish and sea foods. Yumm.... I really miss fresh seafood. Here I satisfied my craving for fish by having Ikan Bawal Bakar a la Pakistan. Not bad. We finished of dinner by stopping at an ice cream parlour for a cone of Movenpick icecream. Yummy....!!!
That was Karachi for us. Will definitely see Karachi again...Insyaallah.
The highlight of our six days in Karachi visiting the Bazaars and trip on the PN Ships. The bazaar is very crowded with locals and also tourists. Malaysians seems to frequent this place as most of the shop owners tried to converse with us in Malays. At this bazaar, the clothing and fabrics are relatively cheaper then in Islamabad. We bought some leather goods, shirts and clothing materials.
We also had a good time when we were taken for a ride on PNS Shahjahan, a Type 21 Frigate. This frigate is an ex RN Ship when it was commissioned as HMS Active (probably saw actions in the Falklands). Her sister ship, PNS Badr also joined for some serials. We sailed into the Arabian Sea and severals serials were demonstrated. It includes boarding using fast assault boat (Zodiac) and Sea King helos (counter-terrorism). The assault came from the stern at very fast speed and delivered six special forces personnel. It was a daring and dangerous manoeuvers boarding the frigate at such a high speed. Other serials includes, jack-stay transfer where three of our colleagues volunteered to be transfers. PNS Badr came to about 1000 feet from our frigate and this is also an interesting manoeuvre. We were also shown deck landing by an Alouette helo. We later had lunch before sailing back into the harbour. We really had a lot of fun time, and throughout we were served with unlimited food and drinks. I was amazed by the cleanliness and the professionalism of the crew. Well done to the captain and crew of PNS Shahjahan. Keep up the good work.
We also visited a new Navy Base at Omara and a new port infrastructure at Gwadar. It was a day trip with the C 130. Gwadar is very close with the Iranian border and from the briefing given the port should be `operational' by Jun 06. Umm.. I doubt!!
The day before we depart for Islamabad, we had a picnic at the beach. It was arranged by the PN at one of their beach chalet. We played beach volleyball and cricket. Here I have my first hand at cricket, and my local colleagues said that I have the hang of it. Can you believe that? For lunch, I had some semosas and `haleem' a local delicacy resembling lentil soup. It was a bit spicy but since I enjoyed it I have seconds. I think this act proved unwise as I developed a bad tummy upset that night (as related in the preceding blog).
In Karachi also we have an opportunity to meet the family of one of my colleague. The family is wonderful. We were very welcomed and felt at home. We had dinner with them.
One of the nights we were also taken for a dinner at a popular place called `Bar-B-Q Tonight'. This place is jam packed with patrons. It had five levels and served local dishes of kebabs, nans, chickens and muttons. It also served something different than Islamabad, that is fish and sea foods. Yumm.... I really miss fresh seafood. Here I satisfied my craving for fish by having Ikan Bawal Bakar a la Pakistan. Not bad. We finished of dinner by stopping at an ice cream parlour for a cone of Movenpick icecream. Yummy....!!!
That was Karachi for us. Will definitely see Karachi again...Insyaallah.
posted by besutian at 9:09 AM
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