Very Good Quote

"Your assumptions are your windows to the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or light won't come in."

Sunday 12 November 2017

Ghana 17 Turtles

Its turtle laying season and our beach near work is full of them.

We got a few photos, poor things every obstacle is set against them. Weather, moving beaches, dogs, humans and birds to name a few....


'
Went again this morning at 05.00am. Saw one turtle.



Back off to sea



Friday 3 November 2017

Chiang Mai

Just added this as a reminder. We went up to Chiang Mai for a few days and visited /caught up with old friends. Really good fun.

Doctor Bob, me, Peter and Phil.... Putting the world right.

View from Peter's pad.

The man himself  "Peter"



Monday 30 October 2017

Sunday 29 October 2017

Istanbul 3

So much to see and so little time.  Definitely going back for another trip.  Longer next time and will make an effort to get outside of Istanbul and see some country side.











Istanbul 2 For the Thai Viewers.

Found a super shop !!!!!  Sells just what you need. For Non Thai views see below.


Yaba is basically estacy......

Istanbul 1

Arrived in Istanbul completely shattered. Wanna's visa to Ghana has expired 6 days before departure... So lots of sweet talk with immigration authorities in the airport.  Finally got on a plane. Made it a rough flight but food and red wine were good. Arrived 5.30 am tired.

Arrived at hotel about 6.30.  No room...... ours was booked for 2.00 pm same afternoon. However they suggested we sit in reception while they could see what they could do.  Place as 100 fully booked.

About an hour later were were given a room.No extra charge. Fantastic. I had stayed before in same place but it had had a major refurbish and now is even better.

CVK Hotel, is located on Taksim Square from where there is a wide and long pedestrian shopping road and lots of side streets full of shops selling everything. And the smells, coffees bakeries and food.  Fantastic atmosphere.

We spend the afternoon along this street which leads to the sea. Crossed the bridge to the Blue Mosque and spice market. Mosque impressive for sure. The spice market amazing.  The colours, smells and just the huge hustle and bustle of people. Crammed into such a small place. It was wonderful and so very different to anywhere I think I've been before.

Plenty more photos to follow.







Thursday 26 October 2017

Ghana 16 The King

On 26th of October the Thai Ambassador based in Nigeria came over to meet the local resident Thai's and have a small memorial service in honour of the recently deceased King of Thailand. He died 1 year ago and now is cremation time. The was cremated was day. Bit of a solumn occasion but Thai people are very pragmatic and get on with life.

Wanna went along to the ceremony and I joined her and friends for a small dinner later in the evening.

All in all a good event.








Ghana 15 More Polo and a break from Accra

.......THIS ON MY DOOR STEP......


Been a quiet month. 

Finally got a tower crane to get erected on site. Small step for mankind, major one for the contractor..... Say no more.

But before that, sitting on our deck at our Apartment.  What a sight. Polo just outside the room. Wonderful backdrop. Free entertainment. I've never been keen on horses. Bony creatures.... But this is exceptional.

Last week I had to go out and look at some erosion on a friends beach front property. But looking at the photos it does not look a bad place to have a swim.  Erosion and future coastal protection ideas will follow in due course.

We've now reached the end of our contract. So off to Thailand at the weekend.  Via Istanbul. A few days in Turkey. Been before but well worth a second trip. Wanna's first time so I get to be the guide. Well sort of. Just guide her past the shops!!!

       









Monday 25 September 2017

Ghana 14 Anyone for POLO

Please don't ask me where time goes. It just flys by. Here you wake up at the beginning of the week and blink. Monday starts and before you know it, wham  !!! its gone. Open your eyes again and its Saturday. Scary.


This weekend I did find a few extra moments. Time indeed, yes I did find some, to go shopping, my least favourite activity but I needed a new dinner jacket. Finding that in Accra was a feat in its self. But we managed after going into about 5 tailor shops. We found one that not only had the gear but also a seamstress to get a good fit. Excellent. While out shopping we also passed a couple of stalls in the Mall selling local dresses etc. not much but added to the local colour and general atmosphere.








Got home, tried it on and had a quick strum, in the suit.....








Later attended a Polo game. That was the sum total of our weekend.






Never been to a polo game. In fact I am not keen on horses. But this event was in our compound.  It should be a bit of a give away staying in a place called Polo court. In fact our apartment over looks the compound swimming pool which backs onto a tennis court and the the pitch. (assume thats the correct terminology "pitch" !!!).














We waited and waited for things to start. Sat and had a drink in the club house. Waiting again.... Lots of people on horses hitting a little white ball I think as a practise. Clever stuff. And we watched and waiting.  And waiting.  Eventually we were told the game was postponed till next week due to the light showers.






So will report back with an update on the Polo next week. Assuming it does not rain......