Sue's work travels

Photos: Pakistan

vectragizmo — Sun, 29 May 2011 03:24:00 GMT

General thoughts on Karachi

vectragizmo — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 18:47:00 GMT

I had forgotten I had this little site to display stories etc and realise I never wrote anything about my time in Pakistan.....which was sad as the country had quite a profound impact on my beliefs.

In total I visited Karachi 4 times for work. Travelling there is something I will always be grateful for as it allowed me to develop my own thoughts on the parts of the City I saw, rather than what the media portrays.

The first thing that struck me when driving from the airport was the number of people simply wandering around, crossing main roads with little regard for the cars and the dryness of the land. Back home when the grass browns in summer we feel unhappy, yet where I was driving there is just dirt on the ground, no signs of vegetation that would green up upon receipt of water.

The hotels I stayed in were comfortable enough. We relied heavily on eating in them and I even got quite used to their gyms :) In the gym I was often the only woman which on my first couple of visits was amusing as I tried to ignore being watched as I huffed and puffed on the treadmill.

Venturing out for Korean food and sipping upon Fosters beer was another amusing experience. The typing mistakes on the menu made us giggle, clearly some odd English translations. The food was reasonable and we had many a laugh....albeit a surreal experience.

On one visit I visited an amusement park. Again the dryness of the land struck me, not something I am used to. Here I saw a stronger presence of women covered up and more staring of me than in other areas. Kids were smiling and laughing with their parents on rides, it felt like being at a Royal Show back home, just on a smaller scale and with far less consumerism involved.

At some point an albino young girl and her mother came up and asked if she could shake my hand. I guess she felt that we were similar in terms of colouring! Her eyes lit up and she seemed so happy to have been able to be acknowledged by me, it was quite a touching moment for me.

On another visit I went along with a friend of a friend whose photography skills impress me J He took me along to the beach close to sunset and gave me tips on capturing photos. We both wandered along the beach capturing our own moments with cameras. I felt quite safe and infact calm walking along the beach, I remember it being windy though and the humidity turning my once straight hair into a windblown frizz J The sand was a black colour and wearing wedges and jeans was not the most ideal scenario! *Note to self, plan better next time!

There were young guys playing cricket, of course –and a group of them ran up to ask if they could have their photo taken with me, on their camera’s, so who knows where those photo’s are now. Other people would look and stare at me, clearly not many white, western women strolling along the beach in Karachi J

Something that struck me whilst driving around in Karachi was the levels of poverty and living conditions that I saw. Not what we are used to seeing in Australia in any way. However, I came to realise that I also look at some scenarios obviously through my own eyes, tainted with my own expectations, beliefs and ideals. Who am I to say that some of these people should be unhappy as they don’t live as I do, perhaps their simple life is far more rewarding to them in ways that they only know of. I in no way ignore that there are things that need/could be done for areas of poverty here, but I can’t do that by applying my own lifestyle.

What I can do is be more grateful for what I have, appreciate the life I have and the safety in that comfort I have in the country I currently reside in. Give back to society to those who need it, both in my home country but also reaching further in ways that I can. I can try to understand more of how people live and then seek out how I can best help. The seed has been planted in this way….I wonder what it will become upon germination :)

Getting there....

vectragizmo — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 11:45:00 GMT

Sat 15 Nov

I don't know about you, but having to find things to do to kill 9 hours can seem a bit tedious some days. I am now in Singapore Changi airport. Flew in overnight and don't fly out until later this afternoon.

Clearly I have time on my hands to be writing things in this journal....ho hum.....

Being sick away from home

vectragizmo — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 16:44:00 GMT

OK - so I started to feel like I was coming down with a cold on the Saturday I was to move hotels. Nothing unusual, when you travel around you often catch little bugs. By Saturday afternoon, I was feeling very lethargic and after forcing myself to wander down Orchard Road, came back to my room and layed down.

I awoke many hours later bathed in sweat. So without boring people with all the details, I basically ended up with probably one of THE worst flu's I have ever experienced. I had the fever, cough, running nose, aches etc....all away from home :(

I couldn't even stay upright, needed the safety of my bed. I slept or layed there with my eyes shut for so many hours for the ENTIRE week :(

I caught up with Karyn & Ros on one night for a bite to eat downstairs which took all my energy and left me very limp by the time I returned.

I became bored to tears with the room service menu, but had no desire to ask people to bring me something else, as I had no idea what I even wanted.

I had a dinner out with the girls in a nice restaurant on the Thursday night. By this time I was at least able to speak with them and drugged myself up to be out and about! It was the longest plane ride home on Friday night, but have never been so happy to see the Melbourne airport.

So one work trip I will never forget, nor wish upon anyone!

Gallery: Singapore Hotels

vectragizmo — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:58:00 GMT

Singapore Hotels

Hotel Stuff

vectragizmo — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:07:00 GMT

13 June 2007

OK - so am off again for 2 weeks. For the first week, am staying in a hotel near the Raffles hotel (famous for it's Singapore Slings). I shall be moving over the weekend, so will hopefully get some good shots.

The sales are on here in Singapore. The place is over-run with tourists and locals spending money they probably don't have - ahhh the ole credit card hey.

A large shock to the system to come from a cool, Melbourne winters day to arrive to 28 degrees and humidity - and that was at night! The sun today had quite a bite to it, but I'm not complaining.

Enjoy the photo's, will put up more as I get them.

Indocéane Experience

vectragizmo — Tue, 22 May 2007 16:17:00 GMT

OK - so being here for 2 weeks, I decided to indulge in a treatment in the Chuan Spa (part of the hotel). Last night at 8pm, I wandered up to the reception area (Level 41) to begin th 2 hour process.

Oh what a wonderful experience! To start with, they give me my locker key and tell me to put on the gown, slippers and those silly paper knickers they provide! So holding together the small size gown around my larger than small size body, I shuffle down to the treatment area.

This very petite Asian lady called Sharon swiftly guided me into the rooms I was to occupy for the next 2 hours. She spoke of what was to happen and we began.....

Here is what I had:

a sweet and savoury bodyscrub - this was fab. Very similar method to application back home, except they seem to trickle water over you to mix with the scrub. Felt amazing.
a milk bath - beautiful room with the bath in. The water felt so very soft. I was amazingly far whiter than I already am when I stepped out of the bath though! So here, I had a quick shower.
a two step massage incorporating a Qi-Balm vitalisation massage and an Indocéane oil massage employing the Indian smoothing, oriental kneading and Japanese percussion techniques. I have this funny little knot on my spine that when massaged tickles, then as they work on it more, REALLY hurts. I always end up asking for them to leave it alone. But not last night - she performed some traditional techniques down my spine and the knot was gone!! Truely amazing. Needless to say, the massage was wonderful. They used a warm oil which felt incredibly extravagent against my skin.

So the night ended with me in the relaxation room, being served tea whilst I surveyed the view from the 41st Floor. My skin felt delightful and my mind at peace.

So this is what one needs to do from time to time when the stress of business travel gets too great. A highly recommended activity.

My weekend

vectragizmo — Sun, 20 May 2007 20:30:00 GMT

First things first - when they say it is going to rain, or there will be thunderstorms in Hong Kong - they MEAN it!!!!

We have had some awesome lightening and heavy rain over the weekend. The wind was really strong - and being up on a higher floor, you could hear it against the building, kind of freaky.

SaturdayAfter quite a leisurely morning, I headed off to catch the MTR over to Hong Kong Island (I stay on Kowloon Peninsular). Public transport here is so easy, clean and convenient, you honestly don't even think twice about having to catch it. I wandered around the shopping district where there is such a mixture of modern and old shopping experiences. There is every designer you could think of here - a watch shop or 4 on every street!

I wandered through a market which was nestled in among really steep steps going upwards (at least the direction I was heading :). The stalls consisted of crafts, buttons, masks (like vampire faces, clown faces etc), cloth, and hardware knick knacks. It was amazing - and clearly catering for the locals. Not one person approached me even when I stopped at a stall to look.

I found Marks and Spencers and indulged in a few articles of clothing :)

I had lunch in this place called ThreeSixty. It is within a building called the Landmark. On one floor they have an organic supermarket like the one Macro back in Melbourne. Then on the next floor up, is a food hall all based on organic, healthy eating. It was really interesting to wander around, and I had a really nice Vietnamese lunch in there with a carrot, ginger and apple juice :)

When I arrived back at Mongkok station and was walking toward the exit, there was a sea of people in front of me blocking the exit. I couldn't see what the issue was so headed off for another exit. The next one I found was only beginning to clog up with bodies. I realised that a huge downpour had started, so people were waiting for it to pass. I had packed an umbrella, so was able to push my way through and head out into the deluge of water. The drops were as big as my umbrella!!!

Large puddles of water had already formed. I only had to walk approx 100m to get into the Shopping complex that joins the Hotel, but within that space, my shoes, backpack and shins were absolutely drenched. When I reached the door, there were a group of girls giggling hysterically at the fact that they too were drenched.

I went up to the gym and did a workout at night. It was awesome to watch the lightening light up the sky whilst working out.

Sunday
Can you believe I was awake at 7.30am on a Sunday!!! I tried desperately to go back to sleep, but ended up getting up and heading down for breakfast. Strangely enough, there weren't many people around at 8:15 on a Sunday!

It has been raining non-stop for HOURS. I had planned to go to another market, but no way I am heading that far in this REAL rain :) So I instead only wandered a couple of streets away - they are all becoming so familiar to me now.

So today has been about studying for my exam and lazing around. They have just delivered my laundry. So another 'feature' of being in the 'Club' is your laundry arrives back wrapped in pink tissue paper, with lavender potpourri sitting within a cane basket. Oh and you get better quality coat hangers for the articles that hang (including my PJ's top - hehehe!)

I think that's about it for now. The rain has stopped, so I may wander down to the night markets once it get's dark.

That's all from me for now

Sue
x

Hotel stuff

vectragizmo — Wed, 16 May 2007 14:39:00 GMT

Am up on the 37th floor this time. The views are quite awesome. Although the smog has been pretty bad on a few occassions.

Due to being a regular customer at the hotel, have become a member of their "Club". Not sure if that means I will be abducted during the night and experimented on or not!

One Club benefit is our breakfast is complimentary and taken in the Club lounge (so not out with the rest of the common folk). And then at different times during the day, they have other refreshments available at no cost. The Club lounge also has a really cool massage chair which looks out over Hong Kong. Am even managing to get to the gym most days, which always helps the physical and mental state.

I will keep adding stuff as I have time and inclination :)

May 20thAll the staff have become very familiar with my face. The ladies up on the 41st floor (which is where the gym is), giggle and almost trip over themselves to greet me when I go up each time.

Today when the cleaners came through my room, I went up to sit in the 'Contemplation Room'. VERY relaxing - and an abundance of Chinese tea to be had. An even better view from up there - shall try and remember to take up my camera next time I venture there.

The cleaners have a sense of humour and have been having fun with Hamish. I found him sitting on the window seat when I came back today - have put up his photo for you to see :)

Work stuff

vectragizmo — Wed, 16 May 2007 14:09:00 GMT

Very busy here as expected. We have had the strangest lunch today. The Team leader brought in lunch - which was what she referred to as a fruit lunch. We had banana's, pears, fruit & nut bars, crackers and the all round popular, fish sausage!! And no, the fish sausage was not nice - it looked like one of those cheese sticks you can buy, but pink and tasted VERY fishy!!! Boon and I then went down to the canteen for some more food as were both still hungry!!

Working long hours as expected. Endured a headache for most of yesterday but thankfully have woken headache free today :)

I do like the people we work with here. They are for the most quite open to hearing and taking on our advice, which always makes the job a little easier.

20 MayHave added some photo's I was able to get of around where I work. As you can see, it is not glamorous at all! As it is on a Port, we always seem to be cloaked in a fog or smog (not sure which it is!), so it was with some delight I noticed the fog had lifted and I could get a few photo's.

Gallery: Food Related

vectragizmo — Wed, 16 May 2007 14:01:00 GMT

My obsession with food

Gallery: Hong Kong Hotels

vectragizmo — Wed, 16 May 2007 14:00:00 GMT

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