Tag Archives: Bikes

Karachi at Street Level

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Went on my first ride with Critical Mass Karachi. We started at 6:45 in the morning. Despite the early hour it was surprisingly bright and hot!Our bike route took us from ‘the McDonalds on the way to Ayesha’s house’ to ‘The Point’ past ‘PTCL office’ and ‘Mohotta Palace’, ‘SeaView’ and ‘Bilawal House’. (I am becoming a Karachitte because I no longer remember street names.)The ride was great – a chance for me to see the city on the street level and out of my protective and isolating steel carriage. (Don’t get me wrong – I L-O-V-E my car.) Karachi on the street is both very dirty and smelly and at times surprisingly pretty.

View of Sea View

One of our brand new bus stops. It’s a great improvement for the commuters of the city. Now if only the buses were not controlled by the mafia and we could have decent public transportation.

Shaheed (Martyred) Benazir Bhutto Park

Apartment complex with ruble outside. Ok, it’s the truth - this apartment block makes it look like Karachi is in the middle of a war. (Which it is… just not on this block.) Can you say bad property management?

Old Tree

Recycling

That's me in the corner.

The Clever Mr. Phoung

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Got to Hoi An two days ago. It's a very cute town, a historical old district, nice walking/bicycling only streets, river and beach. Basically its got everything a tourist would want. There were a lot of tourists but I wouldn't say the town was overun with them.
The first day I got a bicycle and rode around town which was a great way to cover the city and experience it. The next day I spent with the fantastic my Phoung. Basically he's just this guy who goes around creating his our tour of his fishing village. To be honest the tour was nothing that special – first we went to his village which was a 20 min bike ride. Then he told his history about it (the is recorded history of the village from the 15th century).
After that he took us to the pottary farm which is the other thing his village does (other than fishing) and we got to make clay pots. Then we went fishing and I caught the HUGEST FISHES of my life. They were like 3 inch long. And then we went to his house and ate yummy spring rolls, yellow noodles and fresh fish. The food was authentic and yummy but a bit oily.
After we were done our meal and were ready to leave he wrote us a 'note'; it was basically a computer print out with our names written in. Ours said 'Hello Canadian and Australian'.  There he wrote the usual plesentries but included his complete contract info include email, website, phone etc and asking you to recommend him if anyone you know comes to Vietnam. Then he takes a picture with you and his family and asks you to email the photo (which he will use as recommendations when selling his tour) and also write in his book. Simple things really, but good marketing.
At night we ate at a place overlooking the river. I had rare seseame seared tuna. Not very Vietnamese but DELICIOUS. We hung around town and then went to this beach party. The stars were amazing. It ended with everyone jumping in the pool. Good times.