To answer Carboman's questions, my trip to the backwater countries mentioned recently are all business trips.
I came back to Malaysia on Saturday and am glad to be able to eat the delicious food in Malaysia again. Here you can walk into any restaurant or food stall and pretty much everything is good to eat. Even when you order foreign cuisine like Italian or Arabic, you can expect something good Not so over there in Tu*****tan.
Before I continue let me write a bit more about what I had over there since my last post.
Ordered margarita pizza (tomato and cheese) from the Italian restaurant at Nissa hotel. What arrived on my table was a thin bread with an equally thin layer of melted cheese. At the outer rim of the pizza, the "chef" had splashed a thin layer of tomato sauce. There were no slices of tomatoes, onion or green pepper. Does this thing deserve to be called a pizza?
The next day, I went to Yimpas shopping centre. My aim was to sample the local Turkmen food at the food court. I ordered rice, 2 pieces of fried fish in batter and some green beans. What I ended eating was the fish. The rice was a big soggy and the green beans cold and lifeless. So much for the local cuisine.
On running, last Saturday I ran in Asghabat. The area I ran had a lot of government buildings. As usual there were the assorted police and soldiers standing around every 200 to 300m. The park where I ran was beautiful although there were not many trees. But I don't mind running around the flowers.
In the park, there were many fountains so I ran a loop around several of them. There was a man selling ice-cream from a cart. The park was quite deserted with only half a dozen people sitting on benches. A large number of workers were doing some maintenance on the plant , watering them etc.
At the my current pathetic state of fitness, I only managed to run about 3 km. On the way back the hotel, as I was crossing the road I stepped on the divider which was planted with grass. I overheard someone shouting in a intelligible language. I turned and saw some soldiers shouting and waving. I did not what they said but I guessed it something to do with me stepping on the grass. I ignored their shouts and continued walking. Want to chase me ? Go ahead.
I still have trouble with my right knee. I don't think I will be able to run any races this year.
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Friday, May 19, 2006
Turkmenistan Post #2 Food Adventures
Another report abut my food (mis)adventures here in Ashgabat.
Tuesday evening saw me and a colleague walking towards the only Chinese restaurant in Ashgabat. I ordered egg and vegetable fried rice and stir fried cabbage, carrots and green beans. We asked for takeaway and got a blank look from the waitress. After making a few hand gestures, we made our request understood; Take away equivalent here is packet.
I was hoping to have a good tasty dinner. Alas my hopes were dashed when I had the first take of the fried rice back in hotel room. The fried rice was very bland and utterly tasteless. For reinforcement, I added the stir fried vegetable fried in soya sauce. The flavour improved a bit and I was able to eat about six spoonfuls. But after a while I gave up and discarded both dishes into the trash can. I think this was the first time I have come across a Chinese restaurat anywhere that serves awful food. The price was USD 4.
Next day (Wednesday), I had dinner at a fancier restaurant at Yimpas. Yimpas is the only shopping centre cum supermarket. On the 3rd floor, there is some restaurant and a bowling alley. I ordered fish cooked in soup and rice. Besides a huge chunk of fish, there were two slices of tomato covered in cheese and sliced potatoes. The fish was quite hard and tasteless. I forked bits of the fish and ate them with the small amount of rice. I finished off the smal slices potatoes and tomato. I left 90% of the fish untouched as it quite inedible.
On Thursday it was a public holiday - Day of Constitution. I skipped lunch and was quite hungry by 6.00pm. I went to hotel Italian restaurant and ordered tomato soup and seafood pasta. The tomato soup was OK . The seafood pasta tasted slightly bitter and the spaghetti was a bit hard because they have not been fully cooked. Neverthess due to hunger I managed to eat half of it.
The price = USD 12 including 2 glasses of orange juice.
Todaay is Friday. Tonight's dinner will be Magii mee curry;a welcomed respite from the awful food I've eaten over the past 4 days.
Tuesday evening saw me and a colleague walking towards the only Chinese restaurant in Ashgabat. I ordered egg and vegetable fried rice and stir fried cabbage, carrots and green beans. We asked for takeaway and got a blank look from the waitress. After making a few hand gestures, we made our request understood; Take away equivalent here is packet.
I was hoping to have a good tasty dinner. Alas my hopes were dashed when I had the first take of the fried rice back in hotel room. The fried rice was very bland and utterly tasteless. For reinforcement, I added the stir fried vegetable fried in soya sauce. The flavour improved a bit and I was able to eat about six spoonfuls. But after a while I gave up and discarded both dishes into the trash can. I think this was the first time I have come across a Chinese restaurat anywhere that serves awful food. The price was USD 4.
Next day (Wednesday), I had dinner at a fancier restaurant at Yimpas. Yimpas is the only shopping centre cum supermarket. On the 3rd floor, there is some restaurant and a bowling alley. I ordered fish cooked in soup and rice. Besides a huge chunk of fish, there were two slices of tomato covered in cheese and sliced potatoes. The fish was quite hard and tasteless. I forked bits of the fish and ate them with the small amount of rice. I finished off the smal slices potatoes and tomato. I left 90% of the fish untouched as it quite inedible.
On Thursday it was a public holiday - Day of Constitution. I skipped lunch and was quite hungry by 6.00pm. I went to hotel Italian restaurant and ordered tomato soup and seafood pasta. The tomato soup was OK . The seafood pasta tasted slightly bitter and the spaghetti was a bit hard because they have not been fully cooked. Neverthess due to hunger I managed to eat half of it.
The price = USD 12 including 2 glasses of orange juice.
Todaay is Friday. Tonight's dinner will be Magii mee curry;a welcomed respite from the awful food I've eaten over the past 4 days.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Turkmenistn - Post #1
I have been here for 4 days.
Sunrise here is at 5.00 am and sunset at 8.00pm but so far I haven't run a single step. Besides the cold that I've had since 8 days ago, my right knee is sore again.
The food here does not suit me at all. At the hotel restaurant, they serve only Italian food. Don't get me wrong - I enjoy eating Italian food but their version is the worse IMITATION Italian food I've ever tasted. Last night I had instant noddles - Magii Curry.
It's hard to find good places to eat in Ashgabat and mind you this is the capital city and largest city in Turkmenistan.
Sunrise here is at 5.00 am and sunset at 8.00pm but so far I haven't run a single step. Besides the cold that I've had since 8 days ago, my right knee is sore again.
The food here does not suit me at all. At the hotel restaurant, they serve only Italian food. Don't get me wrong - I enjoy eating Italian food but their version is the worse IMITATION Italian food I've ever tasted. Last night I had instant noddles - Magii Curry.
It's hard to find good places to eat in Ashgabat and mind you this is the capital city and largest city in Turkmenistan.
Friday, May 12, 2006
Turkmenistan Links
I am hoping to post some stories during my stay in Turkmenistan. In the meantime, here are some links to stories about this relatively unknown country:
from the BBC,
and from someone who had visited the country in 1998.
from the BBC,
and from someone who had visited the country in 1998.
Going Overseas again
I am going overseas again - this time to Turkmenistan. I will taking the Thai airways flight tonight at 8.15 pm to Bangkok. Then I take another flight at 4.00 am to Ashagbat, Turkmenistan.
I will staying in Turkmenistan for about 2 weeks until 27 May (Saturday) . Normally, May would the month where I would start training for the Ipoh and Seremban half marathons in July. If I was travelling anywhere, I would be worried that I would not be able to train properly. This year, I am not worried as I am unable to run very far now. To date (3 months now), my right knee is still injured and I have only been able to run 3 to 4 km about 2 to 3 times a week.
Yesterday I ran at KLCC park but only managed to run 1.3km before giving up.
No doubt that my running friends are training hard for the PAR relay race in June
I will staying in Turkmenistan for about 2 weeks until 27 May (Saturday) . Normally, May would the month where I would start training for the Ipoh and Seremban half marathons in July. If I was travelling anywhere, I would be worried that I would not be able to train properly. This year, I am not worried as I am unable to run very far now. To date (3 months now), my right knee is still injured and I have only been able to run 3 to 4 km about 2 to 3 times a week.
Yesterday I ran at KLCC park but only managed to run 1.3km before giving up.
No doubt that my running friends are training hard for the PAR relay race in June
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Bye-Bye Sudan
I am writing this post from the international airport in Doha, Qatar.
Before I continue , let me write "Bye-bye Sudan". I was glad to have left Sudan.
When I was at Khartoum airport this afternoon, the check-in process was utterly chaotic. People were jostling about and porters waiting like hungry vultures. There was no system or signboards to guide anyone where to check-in.
Around the check-in area, I took a photo. Immediately two guys (porters) pounced on me and one grabbed my camera. One guy said "No photo" while another said "Fullus, Fullus". In Arabic , fullus is money. They were asking for money!. I replied "No fullus!" and refused to give any money to them. Seeing that they won't be gettting any money from me, the guy who held my camera returned it to me.
As far as the check-in process, luckily I had an "agent" who helped us through the airport basically from the beginning. He waited until we were safely go through the last X-ray machine to the departure lounge. Thank you,sir!
Inside the departure lounge, there were no announcements nor were there any signboards giving the flight number information.
One can tell how well a country is run and managed by conditions in their international airports. Well run airports with smooth arrival and departure process indicate the country is likely to be well run with proper procedures and regulations. Think of Singapore, New York or even KLIA (Malaysia). Contrast these airports with airports in Khartoum, Cairo and New Delhi, you get the picture.
Doha airport is a brand new airport. They are trying hard to compete with Dubai as a duty free shopping airport. I made my own contribution towards this aspiration by buying a 4GB iPod Nano. I paid USD 290 (RM 1100). I think I got it at a good price - it costs about RM 1300 or more in Malaysia.
The guy who sold it to me is a filipino. It is the same in every international airport in the Middle East. Most of the workers in the sales line are filipinos or filipinas. The general workers like cleaners are either Indians or Bangladeshi. The bussiness lounge where I am using this PC has Filipina or other non-Arab personnel.
Before I continue , let me write "Bye-bye Sudan". I was glad to have left Sudan.
When I was at Khartoum airport this afternoon, the check-in process was utterly chaotic. People were jostling about and porters waiting like hungry vultures. There was no system or signboards to guide anyone where to check-in.
Around the check-in area, I took a photo. Immediately two guys (porters) pounced on me and one grabbed my camera. One guy said "No photo" while another said "Fullus, Fullus". In Arabic , fullus is money. They were asking for money!. I replied "No fullus!" and refused to give any money to them. Seeing that they won't be gettting any money from me, the guy who held my camera returned it to me.
As far as the check-in process, luckily I had an "agent" who helped us through the airport basically from the beginning. He waited until we were safely go through the last X-ray machine to the departure lounge. Thank you,sir!
Inside the departure lounge, there were no announcements nor were there any signboards giving the flight number information.
One can tell how well a country is run and managed by conditions in their international airports. Well run airports with smooth arrival and departure process indicate the country is likely to be well run with proper procedures and regulations. Think of Singapore, New York or even KLIA (Malaysia). Contrast these airports with airports in Khartoum, Cairo and New Delhi, you get the picture.
Doha airport is a brand new airport. They are trying hard to compete with Dubai as a duty free shopping airport. I made my own contribution towards this aspiration by buying a 4GB iPod Nano. I paid USD 290 (RM 1100). I think I got it at a good price - it costs about RM 1300 or more in Malaysia.
The guy who sold it to me is a filipino. It is the same in every international airport in the Middle East. Most of the workers in the sales line are filipinos or filipinas. The general workers like cleaners are either Indians or Bangladeshi. The bussiness lounge where I am using this PC has Filipina or other non-Arab personnel.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Post from Sudan
This is my first and probably last post from Sudan. The Internet access speed here is extremely slow. I have been here for 5 days now and so far:
On arrival at Khartoum airport, I saw some U.N. (United Nations) aircraft parked on the airport tarmac. I didn't even realise that the U.N. has their own airplanes. They were small airplanes maybe able to seat about 20 persons. The airplanes were white in colour with "U.N." in black letters. Over the next 4 days, I saw more U.N. vehicles in Khartoum; white coloured four wheel drive SUVs.
I've seen two people run here. On Friday, a white guy was jogging along a river. There is a river in front of the hotel. This river is about 100 m wide and by Malaysian standard, it was a large river. I thought it was the Nile river but later I found out it was just one of Nile river's many branches running through Khartoum.
Last night at 10.30 pm, I saw a black guy running. He looked like a serious runner as he was running at a decent pace. Over here, many social activities start after sunset. During day time, it is just too hot to move around much. The temperature is 45 degree C and I was told it's will be hotter later in July. Summer temperatures can soar past 50 degrees C.
For those who are regular alcohol drinkers, Sudan will leave you high and dry. Sudan is a dry country not just in terms of rainfall but the sale of alcohol is proohibited here. The hotel menu has a vast selection of cocktails with not a drop of alcohol in them. As you may have gathered Sudan is a strict Islamic country with many restrictions and a conservative society. There is even a law that prohibits Sudanese women from swimming outdoor; they must swim in indoor swimming pools. The hotel in fact has one for this purpose.
Nightlife? There are no cinemas, bars and karaokes in Khartoum.
Women? Good luck.
On arrival at Khartoum airport, I saw some U.N. (United Nations) aircraft parked on the airport tarmac. I didn't even realise that the U.N. has their own airplanes. They were small airplanes maybe able to seat about 20 persons. The airplanes were white in colour with "U.N." in black letters. Over the next 4 days, I saw more U.N. vehicles in Khartoum; white coloured four wheel drive SUVs.
I've seen two people run here. On Friday, a white guy was jogging along a river. There is a river in front of the hotel. This river is about 100 m wide and by Malaysian standard, it was a large river. I thought it was the Nile river but later I found out it was just one of Nile river's many branches running through Khartoum.
Last night at 10.30 pm, I saw a black guy running. He looked like a serious runner as he was running at a decent pace. Over here, many social activities start after sunset. During day time, it is just too hot to move around much. The temperature is 45 degree C and I was told it's will be hotter later in July. Summer temperatures can soar past 50 degrees C.
For those who are regular alcohol drinkers, Sudan will leave you high and dry. Sudan is a dry country not just in terms of rainfall but the sale of alcohol is proohibited here. The hotel menu has a vast selection of cocktails with not a drop of alcohol in them. As you may have gathered Sudan is a strict Islamic country with many restrictions and a conservative society. There is even a law that prohibits Sudanese women from swimming outdoor; they must swim in indoor swimming pools. The hotel in fact has one for this purpose.
Nightlife? There are no cinemas, bars and karaokes in Khartoum.
Women? Good luck.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Running In Sudan
Despite the title "Running in Sudan", I still haven't done any running in Sundan as I am still in Malaysia. I had to delay my journey and instead of Monday, I will be flying today.
I am staying at this hotel, Grand Holiday Villa in Khartoum. This hotel is part of a network of Malaysia hotels worldwide. If you noticed in the photos, there is an executive fitness centre. There are three treadmills in the corner. They dont remotely look like the big and sophisticated treadmills in my fitness club. I do hope they are motorised treadmills instead the cheap ones which have no motors. For the cheapest treadmills, you actually have to get track moving by the your own power (feet).
I hope I can post some blogs from Sudan. Stay tuned....
I am staying at this hotel, Grand Holiday Villa in Khartoum. This hotel is part of a network of Malaysia hotels worldwide. If you noticed in the photos, there is an executive fitness centre. There are three treadmills in the corner. They dont remotely look like the big and sophisticated treadmills in my fitness club. I do hope they are motorised treadmills instead the cheap ones which have no motors. For the cheapest treadmills, you actually have to get track moving by the your own power (feet).
I hope I can post some blogs from Sudan. Stay tuned....
Monday, April 24, 2006
Leaving for Sudan
I am going to Sudan in Africa for about 8 days. I don't think it is possible to run outdoor as the temperature in Khartoum (capital city) is about 11o to 116 deg F (43 to 46 deg C). I haven't been to a country where it is as hot as these temperatures.
I got three vaccination shots this morning for Yellow Fever, Meningitis and Typhoid. Hmm - I'll make sure I don't drink tap water, eat local food and I will kill every mosquito that gets near me.
I got three vaccination shots this morning for Yellow Fever, Meningitis and Typhoid. Hmm - I'll make sure I don't drink tap water, eat local food and I will kill every mosquito that gets near me.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
When?
I ran yesterday at KLCC park despite having a sore right knee for the past one week.
I started tentatively walking with Gan but after 400m, we started to run slowly for 1 lap(1.3km). At the 2nd lap, we ran faster, charging up the hills with our chests heaving from the efforts to take in more air. . Gan stopped running at the 800m mark. I discovered I had gotten into the "groove"and had to keep running. My knee was hurting but I couldn't stop; I was having a great time. Finally I decided to stop at the 3.5 km mark for fear of causing more damage to my knee. I saw Yong and I jogged with him back to the 3.9 km distance. We chatted for a while. I saw Newton who was on his way to run a 3 lap PR. Visit this website to see how he fared.
I really wanted to run more than 3 laps yesterday. My mind and heart was willing but alas my knee condition did not allow me to run further.
When will I be able to run more ?
Mr Rabbit is making a comeback run. He has started training outdoor again. Watch out wolves, in 2 months time, you won't be able to catch Mr Rabbit for dinner.
Books I am reading now: Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed by Jared Diamond
I started tentatively walking with Gan but after 400m, we started to run slowly for 1 lap(1.3km). At the 2nd lap, we ran faster, charging up the hills with our chests heaving from the efforts to take in more air. . Gan stopped running at the 800m mark. I discovered I had gotten into the "groove"and had to keep running. My knee was hurting but I couldn't stop; I was having a great time. Finally I decided to stop at the 3.5 km mark for fear of causing more damage to my knee. I saw Yong and I jogged with him back to the 3.9 km distance. We chatted for a while. I saw Newton who was on his way to run a 3 lap PR. Visit this website to see how he fared.
I really wanted to run more than 3 laps yesterday. My mind and heart was willing but alas my knee condition did not allow me to run further.
When will I be able to run more ?
Mr Rabbit is making a comeback run. He has started training outdoor again. Watch out wolves, in 2 months time, you won't be able to catch Mr Rabbit for dinner.
Books I am reading now: Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed by Jared Diamond
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Running Activity Update
I have been running more often over the past 2 weeks. This week on Tuesday ; about 2 km (Klang) and Wednesday about 4.3 km (KLCC). That is the good news - I am able to at least run some distance. The bad news : my injured knee have improved but not to a point where I can run more than 4 or 5 km and not everyday. Every time I run, the physical sensations (soreness and ustable knee) reminds me that I have a persistent an injuy even after 2 months of "rest".
I am keen to run in the Penang Bridge Run that is three and half months away. The PBR was the the first half marathon I've run, way back in year 2000. My time: 2 hrs 20 minutes. I endured leg cramps at the 15 km mark and it was an awfully hard race. Since then I've run about 15 half marathons but PBR remains my all time favourite race.
Hopefully I will continue to recover to a point where I can consistently run 8 km and be able to do some long runs.
I have already decided to skip the NB-Pacesetters 15 km run and the PJ half marathon.
I am keen to run in the Penang Bridge Run that is three and half months away. The PBR was the the first half marathon I've run, way back in year 2000. My time: 2 hrs 20 minutes. I endured leg cramps at the 15 km mark and it was an awfully hard race. Since then I've run about 15 half marathons but PBR remains my all time favourite race.
Hopefully I will continue to recover to a point where I can consistently run 8 km and be able to do some long runs.
I have already decided to skip the NB-Pacesetters 15 km run and the PJ half marathon.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Weekend Run
Yesterday I managed to run about 4 to 5 km. The Klang stadium was full of Punjabis holding a sports event. It was Vasakhi day (Sikh new year) yesterday. When I walked into the stadium, I saw the stand was full of Punjabis and the annoucer said "The Men's 41 to 50 years walk event is next, blah-blah". I took a quick look at the crowd; there was no Punjabi girl in sight. Nothing to see for me:-( . I don't what is it with Punjabi girls; I have never seen one involved in sports. I don't know if it a cultural or religous issue that deters them from partipating in sports.
Anyway I had to run somewhere else yesterday.
There was an exciting news on PM1's site; this year the International Penang Bridge Run (IPBR) may be held again after a 2 year absence. Hopefully I will be able to resume serious training by early May and be ready for the IPBR. It is really something special to run on a bridge while enjoying the sea breeze and watching the sun rise.
Anyway I had to run somewhere else yesterday.
There was an exciting news on PM1's site; this year the International Penang Bridge Run (IPBR) may be held again after a 2 year absence. Hopefully I will be able to resume serious training by early May and be ready for the IPBR. It is really something special to run on a bridge while enjoying the sea breeze and watching the sun rise.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
My Other Stuff : Thailand Part #1
This blog is getting a bit boring nowadays. I am always writing about my knee injury, recovering, my attempts to recover and run, blah-blah...
On CNN and the BBC tonight "Thaksin Shinwatra has resigned as PM". That suprised a lot of people including me at first but later I found out he had visited the Thai king, Bhumipol Adulyadej I am quite sure the King had advised or perhaps hinted for him to resign from the PM post despite his party (TRT) "winning" the election.
The Thai king has no constitutional power but he has something else more powerful; Respect and Trust from everyone in Thailand. In the past (twice I think- in 1972 and 1992) he has exercised these intangible powers to stabilise the political situation in Thailand.
I have to confess to be something of a Thailand affairs watcher. I keep up to date on what is happening in Thailand through various websites. Ever since my first visit to Thailand in 1989 (17 years ago), I found the happenings in Thailand fascinating.
In Thai society, there are two institutions that is well respected; the Buddhist monkhood and the monarchy. Over the past 10 years, the image of the Buddhist monkhood has taken a beating. There have been numerous scandals (sex and money) involving monks and abbots. In one of my trips in Thailand, I was surprised to observe some monks hanging out and smoking cigarettes.
In Thailand, many young men become monks for a short period of time (months). According to Buddhist belief they will bring merit or good karma to themselves and their parents. The problem is nowadays it has become more of a social obligation instead of a religious one. So some of them become "monks" without the proper motivations and intentions. In some cases, it is an economic necessity for some men to become monks. For example, education is freely provided and meals (in theory - only twice a day) by the monastery. So that is why you can see monks smoking cigarettes or involved in the occasional scandals.
On CNN and the BBC tonight "Thaksin Shinwatra has resigned as PM". That suprised a lot of people including me at first but later I found out he had visited the Thai king, Bhumipol Adulyadej I am quite sure the King had advised or perhaps hinted for him to resign from the PM post despite his party (TRT) "winning" the election.
The Thai king has no constitutional power but he has something else more powerful; Respect and Trust from everyone in Thailand. In the past (twice I think- in 1972 and 1992) he has exercised these intangible powers to stabilise the political situation in Thailand.
I have to confess to be something of a Thailand affairs watcher. I keep up to date on what is happening in Thailand through various websites. Ever since my first visit to Thailand in 1989 (17 years ago), I found the happenings in Thailand fascinating.
In Thai society, there are two institutions that is well respected; the Buddhist monkhood and the monarchy. Over the past 10 years, the image of the Buddhist monkhood has taken a beating. There have been numerous scandals (sex and money) involving monks and abbots. In one of my trips in Thailand, I was surprised to observe some monks hanging out and smoking cigarettes.
In Thailand, many young men become monks for a short period of time (months). According to Buddhist belief they will bring merit or good karma to themselves and their parents. The problem is nowadays it has become more of a social obligation instead of a religious one. So some of them become "monks" without the proper motivations and intentions. In some cases, it is an economic necessity for some men to become monks. For example, education is freely provided and meals (in theory - only twice a day) by the monastery. So that is why you can see monks smoking cigarettes or involved in the occasional scandals.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Getting Back to Running
After six weeks of "rest", I have tentatively start to run again since two weeks ago. Last week, was my 2nd run. (My 1st was in Asghabat;5 km) . I did a 4km run with "Mat" at KLCC. It's not much compared to my usual 6.5 to 8.0 km. We must have run at about 8 min per 1.3 km pace. I am certain that I have lost 20 to 30 per cent of my endurance.
Yesterday I managed to run 8 x 400 m (3.2 km). Right knee was a bit sore.
Right now I am taking it slow and easy. I will run short distances between 4 and 5 km each time at slow speed. A long run is out the question for now.
Be patient.
Yesterday I managed to run 8 x 400 m (3.2 km). Right knee was a bit sore.
Right now I am taking it slow and easy. I will run short distances between 4 and 5 km each time at slow speed. A long run is out the question for now.
Be patient.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Monday, March 20, 2006
Back in Malaysia
I am glad to be back in old Malaysia. I didn't blog during the weeekend as most of the time I was wathing the Commonwealth Games on TV.
I had a terrible time on Saturday. I left Ashgabat, Turkmenistan on Friday , 6.15 pm. The Ashgabat airport is really quite bad. When I walked into the departure lounge, I was hit by heavy fumes from cigarettes. To my unpleasant surprise and contrary to the norm in other airports, smoking is not banned in airport departures lounges in Turkmenistan. There was about half a dozen people happily puffing away near the toilets. I scurried away to sit near the bar where strangely enough no one was smoking there.
My flight was on Turkmenistan Airline to Bangkok. The aircraft was a Boeing 757 perhaps in its most basic(minimal) configuration. There was no TV screen to watch nor was there any audio facilities. The service was OK but the food ordinary. The English language spoken during various announcements was utterly incomprehensible. See this website for what others had to say about Turkmen. airlines.
The flight was 6 hrs arriving in Bangkok at 2.40 pm, 30 minutes late due to late departure. Bangkok International airport is really in bad shape. There are not enough seats in a the airport and even that hour, most the seats were fully occupied. Most of the people in the airport lounges at that hour were Indian and Vietnamese. Suffice for me to say, the 6 hours I waited for the connecting flight to KL felt like 16 hrs. Next time, I will bring some bedding materials like foam sheets and potable pillows.
On running in Asghabat, I did manage to run 5 km on Wednesday evening. There are plenty of parks in Asghabat and very few people are using the parks in Winter. There is no problem with safety as there is at least one policeman/army at the park. I did get strange looks from the policeman and the locals while I was running in the park. I don't think ANYONE runs for exercise in Turkmenistan.
I will post some photos later.
My right knee is getting much better now. I did not get any symptoms when I ran 5 km last Wednesday. I plan to do some minimum running this week.
I had a terrible time on Saturday. I left Ashgabat, Turkmenistan on Friday , 6.15 pm. The Ashgabat airport is really quite bad. When I walked into the departure lounge, I was hit by heavy fumes from cigarettes. To my unpleasant surprise and contrary to the norm in other airports, smoking is not banned in airport departures lounges in Turkmenistan. There was about half a dozen people happily puffing away near the toilets. I scurried away to sit near the bar where strangely enough no one was smoking there.
My flight was on Turkmenistan Airline to Bangkok. The aircraft was a Boeing 757 perhaps in its most basic(minimal) configuration. There was no TV screen to watch nor was there any audio facilities. The service was OK but the food ordinary. The English language spoken during various announcements was utterly incomprehensible. See this website for what others had to say about Turkmen. airlines.
The flight was 6 hrs arriving in Bangkok at 2.40 pm, 30 minutes late due to late departure. Bangkok International airport is really in bad shape. There are not enough seats in a the airport and even that hour, most the seats were fully occupied. Most of the people in the airport lounges at that hour were Indian and Vietnamese. Suffice for me to say, the 6 hours I waited for the connecting flight to KL felt like 16 hrs. Next time, I will bring some bedding materials like foam sheets and potable pillows.
On running in Asghabat, I did manage to run 5 km on Wednesday evening. There are plenty of parks in Asghabat and very few people are using the parks in Winter. There is no problem with safety as there is at least one policeman/army at the park. I did get strange looks from the policeman and the locals while I was running in the park. I don't think ANYONE runs for exercise in Turkmenistan.
I will post some photos later.
My right knee is getting much better now. I did not get any symptoms when I ran 5 km last Wednesday. I plan to do some minimum running this week.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Turkmenistan - Post #1
This is my 2nd day in Turkmenistan (Ashagat).
I can't really post a long report because of a slow Internet connection. What I have discovered so far:
I can't really post a long report because of a slow Internet connection. What I have discovered so far:
- Food : I am having a bit of trouble with the local food. Most of the food here contain a lot of meat (chicken, beef, lamb etc) . The vegetables are mainly salad. Since I don't eat meat except fish , it looks like I have to become a salad eating runner here. Fish here? If they come from the Caspian sea; its better not to eat it because of the pollution problem.
- Language : Hardly anyone on the streets can speak English.
- Traffic : There is no traffic jam. The cars here are mostly old Russian cars, squarish shape and very battered looking.
The weather has been dry and cold but OK (5 deg. C nightime and 15 deg C daytime). I can survive in these temperatures.
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Going To Turkmenistan Tomorrow
Tomorrow morning I am going to Turkmenistan. Where is this place ? Check out this link.
I will flying from KL to Instanbul (Turke), transit for 8 hrs and then fly to Ashgabat (Turkm.) at 11.30 pm. Total journey time = about 26 hrs. I will return to KL next weekend.
I heard from a colleague , the temperature in Asghabat is now higher; low 20's deg. C in the daytime. Much better than during winter when it can be as low as -2 and to -10 deg. C.
I will bringing my running gear to run over there. I heard NO ONE runs for exercise over there. One of the local female staff went jogging and everyone looked at her as if she was crazy.
I plan to post some entries and photos on this site next week.
I will flying from KL to Instanbul (Turke), transit for 8 hrs and then fly to Ashgabat (Turkm.) at 11.30 pm. Total journey time = about 26 hrs. I will return to KL next weekend.
I heard from a colleague , the temperature in Asghabat is now higher; low 20's deg. C in the daytime. Much better than during winter when it can be as low as -2 and to -10 deg. C.
I will bringing my running gear to run over there. I heard NO ONE runs for exercise over there. One of the local female staff went jogging and everyone looked at her as if she was crazy.
I plan to post some entries and photos on this site next week.
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