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!!!

       

Vanuatu Part 3

Been a good week. Time does fly here, faster than anywhere I've been.  Work is OK and then evenings seems to disappear as fast as switching a light off.

However yesterday while driving along I saw small bus stop.  Talk about laid back ! If it moved over a bit more it would fall into the sea. I think is sums up island life here. Cool, relaxed and in no rush to go anywhere !!!!

Rayong House The Beach Part I

Now we have a ground floor view including our truck !!!!!  Must move it.

 

Nicely cleaned up. Later put in some coconut trees.

When we bought our Rayong House back in mid 2015 our view at ground level was onto the main road and opposite to beach shacks and small shops blocking the view to the sea. We are literally 25 meters from the sea and could not see it from our ground floor. Frustrating indeed !

From our roof top the view was lovely.  Straight over the tops of these shacks, and having to look down to spot the road. We could "watching the ships roll in and I watch them roll away again" (Marvyn Gaye  !! ). Lovely seeing the small fishing boats go by. Sitting up on the roof top is great both in the day time and evenings when the sun was  going down. Always something to see.

Our next door neightbours mention last July that all these huts would be gone by end of Jan 2016. Yeah, yeah, I thought  This is Thailand. Nothing will change  and certainly now moving people on from free dwellings to "nowhere".  So "dream on" was my silent reply to him.

Then yesterday Wanna sent me some photos showing me the army telling the hut dwellers, all to move. The army were equipped with trucks and front end loaded.  They demolish one house, which in fairness to my reporting had been stripped bear a few days earlier.  Gone. Left it looking a bit scruffy but maybe thats a good thing. Should stop more people moving in to the new cleared space.... Now we wait till we seen the rest go.

It s sad for them, but great for us to have a sea view from the ground floor window.  Better breeze through the place as well.  Will let you know when the rest are going.....

Koh Samed

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Just had a  weekend away on Koh Samed.  It's a small holiday island  about 20 kilometers down the coast. Ideal for a quick get away.  Only down side is everyone else had the same idea.... It was packed. All the guest houses were fully booked.  I am used to beaches where you get lots of space and little chance to be constantly pestered to buy stuff.  But there is something very nice about walking along and being offered a deckchair and shade. Very easy just to stop and anchor up !! No sooner have you sat down then someone or in fact many "ones" will be offering fruits, salads, fried prawns etc etc and of course cold beers, so all in all very difficult to complain.

We had a great time.  Sitting round and doing absolutely nothing.  Well I did for the first time in ages get some guitar lessons and really enjoyed it.  I'd met a guy called Greg and his wife Miranda, who were over on holiday. He is a very talented guitar player. He reignited my interest as recently I had begun to loose faith in the whole idea of me playing a decent song. So a very big "Thanks",  Greg. I'll continue to persevere. They joined us for dinner and he put on quite a performance getting us all j.umping up and down in our seats.

While there we noticed a fishing boat had been damaged and drifted ashore. But sitting watching it all seems a bit surreal.  Soon was dismantled and taken away.

Very good weekend.

Life is a Beach, its just that some people don't know how lucky they are......

Was down on on the beach front at Rayong the other day. I drove down the western end where there are less restaurants and more of a home to numerous fishing boats, huts, homes and all the usual stuff which goes with coastal fishing. Interesting area which I plan to explore again and no doubt again ! Lovely protected coast line. (photo curtsy of Google Maps street view)

And there located right on the edge of the beach I came across this lovely tiny beach hut. Well its obviously home to someone. I thought it was beautiful. Strange to find it at such a spot but then TIT, this is Thailand. Even the cactus trees are planted different colours. Looks idealic. I thought I must share this one... Hes probably sitting on a US$1.0 Million + property and has no idea of its worth... Wonderful life.

Rayong Beach

Had myself a quick ride along Rayong Beach last evening. When I got there it was just before sunset and very few people around. Found one spot with some day fishing boats already dragged up the beach and a deserted empty beach. I knew I had visited at the time between people going home and coming out for dinner. All very quiet. Restaurants were just beginning to set out tables and chairs etc. Next trip down this way I'll arrive a bit later, soak up the evening atmosphere, have dinner and get in a few photos of "night life on the beach".

Back in Thailand

What a ride.  Since leaving Atyrau we have been to UK, Seychelles and now back in my old job at Map Ta Phut.

I’ll give a brief summary of events in the passing few months. Yes, two months passed since posting.

End of August, actually 25^th saw me depart Kazakhstan. Abet with mixed emotions. It was fun, working 6 weeks on and 2 weeks off gave me plenty of leave and a good salary. Added perk was the free travel. However the chance to come back and work in Thailand and be home in the evenings was a great draw. And it awon.

First stop after Atyrau was London. Called in to see the girls and then up to Thetford to see the olds. I’d hired a car which makes for a very easy life rather than waiting on buses and tubes etc, especially as I was lugging my guitar, a heavy suitcase and odds and ends. It’s not till you start using public transport you realize just how much rubbish you carry around with you on these trips. If I was residing in London that’s a different matter.

So I had a week up and around Norfolk and then off to Seychelles.
Lovely beach as always.

Sarah’s wedding planned for the 20^th September. Big day for her and indeed for me. Although for me easy, I only had to turn up and walk her down the aisle and do a speech. But preparing the speech took some doing. Needed to cover all bases and make sure at the same time I did not make it to long… Bit daunting but it was well received.  All in all the wedding was fantastic.  I gave it 11/10.  We even did a practice run the day before.

Then the real deal.................

Old Man giving his speach

We did while in Seychelles spend 2 weeks on La Digue. I do love it there. Relaxed, bar b q on beach, fly fishing, biking, back to the simple life. Had some quiet evenings and a Bar B Q with friends. Limited internet at the café only, and  no TV…. Wonderful.

And I found time for a lodge meeting. Now I’m back in my old stomping ground of Map Ta Phut. Thinking about it I must have worked here, on and off for a total of about 5 years. Long time but its good looking round and seeing the various project all up and running. I can think, yes I was a part of that. More importantly I’ve met several people whom I worked with during the course of these times. All seem to be doing well and enjoying life.

Let’s hope for this current project it wil continue and I’ll be able to say the same.

Oh yes. Bought myself a new bike so should be adding road trip photos in due course. (Next Blog post). Plan to try and keep a really good record of costs and see what it works out at Baht/kilometer. Interested then check my link to page the bolt.

Enough ramblings, but now you know I’m back….

I've added as "Spread Sheet on Bolt" in another page called Bolt ( I know original 1) in which I intend to keep going the running costs ...meanwhile the wife rides on.....

950cc of Raw power...

The Boss

Found Them .......................... Photos Seychelles

Hi,

After a frantic search I found my photos.

Some here of Victoria Market, Beaches and a few odd shots.

Its been a while and believe me I'm not happy All My Photos are in the office..... Shit..............

My first 6 weeks  working Atyrau were soon over. Finished on 30^th June. Wonderful. Two weeks leave.

Then I got on a plane and headed for the Seychelles. Met Wanna in Dubai transit hall she coming from Thailand and me from Kazakhstan, then jumped on a plane to Mahe.  Plan was to have 2 weeks on La Digue, relax and just enjoy and catch up with Sarah and Vivi.

It had been nearly 3 years since we had been back.  The place has moved on and developed in good ways. Most noticeable was the change in people’s attitudes. Generally much more welcoming and we found this made for a great time. Nothing seemed like a hard time and even in Government offices the people we dealt with all had time to be pleasant and helpful.

This started with my going to the bank to get a statement and renew my Pin number. “But Sir your bank account is closed. You have not used it for 2 years. Please when you get to La Digue visit the branch there and reopen an account.” (Which we did. Easy and simple)

Renewing my driving license. “Sir your old one out of date since 2007. There are high fees for long overdue renewals. But if you ask the Ministry if Immigration to give me a letter confirming I have been working outside the country during this time then they can waive the fees.” All so helpful.

Went to the pension office. Same again. “Sir love to help but you need to be 63 to get a pension!!! Please come back in 2 years time”   … No problem there.

Great start with so much support. Next stop was the ferry office to book a trip to La Digue. Once booked we proceeded to the local Victoria market. Again great place loads of fish, veggies and stuff. We stocked up on bits to keep us going on La Digue.  Then off we went to La Digue. Met on arrival by Babi who is looking after the place. As we walked to our house “Hello Wanna” was shouted across at us. Old friends made it all seem like really had come home. House looked OK, but the garden a mess with most of the bushes, banana plants and small trees gone. Blame of course on the local dogs making themselves at home and digging holes everywhere. Add in the kids using the area as a football pitch.  Could not expect much more.

What did we do?  As little as possible. Drank litres of tea, ate lots of good food and relaxed.  

Well, we did do a few small activities. Found time for a little fishing and swimming. A few walks round the roads followed by a cold beer and again relax…. Lovely.

The timing of our trip placed us in the middle of the SE monsoon so some rain and heavy winds. Not that this made much difference as when you’re doing nothing you can stay in or sit on the beach.  I’ll leave you with some pictures of the place. Nothing special, but actually it was all very special. Enjoy.  Pictures to follow.

Catch Up Again.....

You’ve probably received a posting “testing’. I was trying to see if I could upload from my office computer. (www.gmail.com is not accessible in the office). Well it worked after a fashion. Using my office email works but I cannot get rid of the disclaimer footer nor will it let me upload photos. Real nuisance as it would have made life much easier. It’s not so easy to get home and sit down to write a Blog after a days work. Seems easier to do it during lunchtime etc. So you have this one bigger one giving me time to catch up.

In fact there is a lot of catching up to do. This last year has seen me having difficulty in settling down to write any Blog. Its not that there is nothing to report. Heaps of stuff going on. Just got into a situation where I have been taking pictures and not uploading them. So for this time I’ll make an attempt to catch up. I do need to quickly get up to speed or I’ll fall further back and then end up with so much to do that it will not seem worth it.

You know as I mentioned earlier we drove over from Gladstone to Perth and had 2 months there before moving up to Port Hedland. Perth is a beautiful town where we have taken hundreds of photos. It’s an almost Mediterranean climate but can get cold. It had been know for large hail stones, damaging car roofs etc. They come down the size of golf balls. We stayed in! 

We visited lots of places. Beaches, restaurants, shopping malls and did a few trips out into the country. All good to see. Perth also has a lot of status. People and kangaroos. Met both...

Even saw an old harley.

Thai Dinner.  23^rd June 2012

I never cease to be amazed that where ever we go there are Thai citizens. I suppose it should not come as such a big surprise given Wanna probably thinks the same where ever she goes there are English speaking people! The 23^rd June saw us attending a Thai evening and it comprised a diner and dance.  It was a fund raiser for the local Temple. Perth has one which is situated a few kilometres form the city centre. Worth a visit but nowhere near as impressive and the ones in Thailand. Actually it is just a standard brick structure with little to recommend it. The dinner was an event to raise monies for a new convent. Hope the design of that is better.

On the move again.  9^th July 2012

Here we go getting packed to go to Port Hedland. Company is having our car delivered for us and also organising packers for our ‘stuff’. Hardly a lot of things but all useful. We had managed to get it all into our car and bring it over from Gladstone to Perth. Now up to Port Hedland. It really is amazing how stress free moving can be when you know someone else will be doing all the hard work. So off we go. 

Port Hedland 10^th July 2012

Having not written for so long it’s actually hard to play catch up. I had planned it as I mentioned in an earlier post but... God, to sit down and write is hard. Got so much to say and tell you but getting right frame of mind to go back over stuff is well. You get the picture.

Port Hedland is up in North West Australia. Primary existence is based on it being the biggest iron ore exporting port in Australia and possibly the world. Massive ships and wharfs etc. All covered in red iron ore dust….

The location is beautiful with fabulous sunrises and sunsets etc. Situated on the coast the fishing is unbeatable. Not that in the few weeks we’ve been here there has been any time to catch the big ones. Only tried so far by using a shore side rod and line. One day we’ll get out and do some proper stuff on the open waters. Everyone tells us the fish are out there just waiting to be caught. Photos from other guys tell me that it a true statement.

Port Hedland town has little else to offer. Open country and a small town feel with a single Woollies to cater for day to day shopping.  Several drive through bottle shops and an assortment of hotels etc.  That’s the equivalent to a very small Tesco or Sainsbury. It sells the basics and more. So cannot complain. There are a lot of industrial related shops as well plus the usual fuel and postal services etc. Writing this does not conjure up an exciting place but actually it suits us just fine. You can see from the photos that it is a typical basic Aussie town. Nothing major to recommend it but also nothing to complain about.  We’re happy here. In fact I really like it.  I love the basic, somewhat raw and basically simple or perhaps better described simplistic nature of it all.

Since being here for 6 weeks. We’ve had a couple of day trips out. First to Karratha about 250 kilometres to the south. It also is based on an export port. Just to the south of there is Dampier. Home of ‘Red Dog’. Fabulous film and so we decided we must visit and see the statue of the famous dog. Well worth the trip down. Also visited a small town on the way through called Raebourne, has a small museum located in its old Prison. 

The small 'mountains we have photographed are actually termite mounds. About 3 meters high. Loads of them in various spots along the way. I've added in a few shots showing 'wide loads' and open country side.

We’ve also visited Karijini national park. Famous for its gorge’s and waterfalls. We were not so impressed. Its about 3 hours away over similar landscape to the trip to Karratha and again the trip across form Gladstone to Perth so frankly a bit boring. The gouges were Ok. Nothing to special. Hundreds of ‘grey nomads’ in caravans. That’s retired people if you didn’t know!!!!

Also had time for a few road side Bar B Q's. Quite amazing really, just pull over and get the bar b q out, light up and start cooking. The good life...

Unfortunately all good things come to an end and here is no exception.  We’ve just started getting settled down and BHP Billiton, the Client Company has decided to cancel the Outer Harbour Expansion project on which I am working. Having made the decision the next step is lets close down ASAP. It’s a first for me and in a surreal way an interesting one. Time to reflect and relax. Back to Thailand and Seychelles for a while.

Not sure where my next post will be coming from…… So till next time...