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سيال ٽريول
Sial Travel
A website
by well-known writer
Mohammad Khan Sial on Travel & Tourism
http://sialtravel.webs.com
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'Sial Travel
Online': Mohammad Khan
Sial: One-man institution |
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An Interesting
Experience: |
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KUALA LUMPUR (KUL / KL):
In Kuala Lumpur (KL) - capital of Malaysia, I went to the
vegetable market and found some items of
fruits and vegetables
extra large (XL). For example: Bananas, Tomatoes, Potatoes,
Brinjals etc.,
(02) I had attended an international conference on Public
Relations at KL Hilton. On the last day of the conference,
we
selected photographs for getting copies for personal use. Our conference
hand-bags were with us. At the table
of photographer, my bag was
exchanged with some one. At the evening
when I opened the bag at
my hotel to
verify
the timings of the Gala dinner, I was surprised to note
that my hand-bag was un-intentionally exchanged with some one. I
was worried because my passport, traveller cheques, airline
tickets and other necessary documents were
inside. Furthermore,
I had to
leave for my country on next day.
I was really in
trouble. When I arrived at Gala Hall of
the KL Hotel, I could not enjoy at all. Later, some body told me that your bag exchanged
with a lady educationist
but she has gone to out side the city
and will definitely return here late night. After mid-night, she
came back and
asked me why you took my hand bag? I promptly
replied her: I also ask you the
same question. None the less, we
returned the bags of each other and every thing was O.K. |
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MANILA (MNL):
Our Jumbo
Jet (Boeing 747) coming from Karachi landed at Manila
(Ninoy) Airport. At the custom counters, some local
girls staff were on duty. Like other passengers, they
did not check our baggage. On seeing green passports of
Pakistan in our hands, one of the female custom officer
slowly said: NO DRUGS. We feel ashamed....."All courtesy
Afghan Refugees & army dictator late General Ziaul Haq
of Pakistan.
(02) Myself and my PIA colleague & friend Abdul Aziz
Baloch (generally known as Aziz Baloch now expired on
May 12, 2009 at Karachi) were wondering as tourists in
the Rizal Park which was treated once as most beautiful
park throughout Asia. I still remember the pleasant
evenings which I spent in Rizal park. Once in the
evening of weekend, we were walking in the park, we met
two young girls namely Miss Rachell Gagnaocruz and Miss
Eima.
After exchange of a few words, I talked to my friend in
Sindhi language. Afterwards, the two girls talked to
each other in their own language (Tagalog). I noticed
that they were talking about us in their language. I
asked Miss Rachel to speak in English so that we can
understand. She promptly replied; when you are talking
in your own language (Sindhi), we have no objection but
why you are raising the objection to us? I realized my
mistake and can not forget the same for the rest of my
life.
Although I am staunch supporter of the right of talking
into mother tongue and also myself was exercising the
same right but I was denying the same to others....I was
really sorry!. |
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TOKYO (TYO): |
While
travelling "Around-the-Globe", I went from Los Angeles
(California state) to Honolulu (Capital of Hawaii state
of USA). On my way to Tokyo (Capital of Japan), I left
Los Angeles on May 23 and arrived Honolulu after a few
hours. I was in transit at Honolulu & travelled to
Tokyo. I was surprised to note that my arrival date in
Tokyo was May 24. I had not witnessed the night of May
23-24. Later, I came to know that this was due to
difference of 19 hours in timings.
(02) Moving the head from upward to downward means "Yes"
in many countries but also "No" in some countries. In
Tokyo, I went into a small shop. I asked to a lady that
if she had a particular brief case but she moved her
head upward to downward which according to me it was
"Yes". I was looking at
her that she would show me the item but when she did not
took any action on this, I returned back. Later, I came
to know the real story and was amazed. |
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LONDON (LON): |
After
coming out from the Tube (subway) Baker's street
station, I went to see Madam Tussaud's museum. When I
entered into it, I found a sales counter on my left
side. An old man was standing there. I enquired him
about the entry fee. I was surprised that he did not
reply me at all. Nonetheless,
I recalled that the 'person' was statue. As such, there
were many statues but the visitors sometimes treat them
as real human beings.
(02) I had purchased one newspaper from Regent street,
London. A newspaper had published a first lead story
about me. It was "MOHAMMAD KHAN SIAL DINES AT BUCKINGHAM
PALACE". In fact, there was a shop from where I
purchased the newspaper. They print one headline of your
choice. Rest the matter is already printed relevant to
the headline giving the brief history of the subject. |
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DHAKA (DAC): |
I was
awaiting at the international passengers lounge at the
Zia International Airport at Dhaka - capital of
Bangladesh (Previously known as East Pakistan - a
province of Pakistan). I had to travel from Dhaka to
Dubai via Dhahran (Saudi Arabia). I met one young
Bangladeshi person who had to go to Dhahran. Since the
flight was 8 hours late as aircraft of Bangladesh -
Biman had to come from Bangkok (Thailand) , he was also,
among others, awaiting for the flight. We tried to talk
to each other.
First of all, I tried to talk to him in Urdu (national
language of Pakistan) but to my expectation, he like
other Bengalis tried to avoid Urdu. ( It may be recalled
that Bangladesh got independence from Pakistan in the
year 1971 after great sacrifices).
I tried to speak to him in English but we could not make
it as he was knowing very little English. None the less,
we both found a new solution which was equally
interesting to each other. He talked to me in Bengali -
national language of Bangladesh and I talked to him in
Sindhi language - official language of Sindh province in
Pakistan and one of the oldest languages of the world.
With the help of moving hands and speaking our own
languages, we were somehow able to convey our messages.
Other international passengers who were sitting in the
lounge were watching the whole situation with full
interests. |
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AMSTERDAM (AMS): |
When I
arrived at Amsterdam ( capital of the Netherlands ), it
was tourists seasons. Despite my best endeavours, I
could not get the economical accommodation. By chance, I
met one person on the way. His name was Mr. Peter. He
was teacher in Indonesia (Yogjakarta) and for further
study, he was in Amsterdam. He wanted to help me. We
both again tried to find some suitable accommodation but
to in vain. In the meantime, I told him that since
accommodation is not available, I have decided to go to
New York as early by tomorrow.
Finally, he offered me to stay with him one night. I was
really thankful to him despite I was stranger,
he helped me. I had noticed one thing that he was very
particular about her Landlady. In the morning,
I wanted to go to toilet but he told me that for this I
have to get permission from my Landlady. On hearing
this, I changed my mind and immediately left for
Amsterdam airport.
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HONG KONG (HKG): |
From
Kowloon, myself & Aziz Baloch were going to Hong Kong by
train. Some one told me that
there is an ocean between Kowloon and Hong Kong. At the
a subway station, we disembarked from
the train and came outside. I asked from the policeman
standing nearby, we want to go to Hong Kong.
He looked at me strangely and remarked; "This is Hong
Kong." In fact our train came beneath the sea-water and
I was unaware about this.
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NAIROBI (NBO): |
While
returning from the Muslim port city Mombasa to the
Kenyan capital city Nairobi, we had flat tyre. It was
about 2100 hours in the evening. On the both sides of
National Highway, there were dense jungles in which wild
animals like tigers, lions, elephants etc., were freely
living in large number.
My three hosts namely Mr. Saleem, Mr. Mehmood & Mr. Ali
Akbar Pathan (PIA) they came out of the car and were
busy in changing the tyre. I was standing on the
roadside and was thinking that if any wild animal came
out in the dark what would happen as this was my first
experience of life.
But, thanks God, every thing went well. We arrived at
the Petrol Pump where they informed us that a Muslim
family wanted to go to Nairobi, on the way near Salamoon
hills some robbers snatched her all belongings. Now they
are back and staying the night in nearby mosque. They
also suggested us in good faith that we should also stay
a night here. None the less, we decided to proceed and
arrived in Nairobi safely.
(02) In Nairobi, I was told that the capital from the
security point of view was unsafe. Somebody told me that
some local people knew the technique that by hitting the
back portion of head with their hands, the concerning
person became unconscious and they easily robbed the
personal belongings.
As such, foreign tourists were mostly victims of this
technique. So even in the broad-day light, I had to be
careful from the suspected persons during my visits to
bazaars and shopping centres while going alone.
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BANGKOK
(BKK): |
Myself
and one of my good friends, late Abdul Aziz (generally
known as Mr. Baloch) who is now ex-Personnel Officer in
PIA Head Office at Karachi we both went to Bangkok for
vacations. Owing to some reasons, we could not get seats
for Karachi at the airport. As a result, we had to come
back to the hotel.
I as a pre-cautionary measures, handed over my passport
& ticket to Mr. Baloch so that along with his own
documents, my valuable tickets and passport bearing four
years multiple visa for USA, might be safe-guarded.
When we arrived at the hotel, we came to know that our
all documents including our passports which were kept in
envelop were forgotten in taxi by Mr. Baloch. Thanks
God, the taxi driver came back and he returned all the
things safely. None the less, we paid him reward in
cash. He really deserved it.
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AFGHANISTAN: |
(Pakistan
- Afghanistan Chaman Border) we drove into Afghanistan.
In Pakistan, we were Left
Hand Drive but suddenly we have to become Right Hand
Drive and after 30 minutes when we returned
back, again we have to drive Left Hand and while re -
entering into Pakistan. Later, I stayed about 08 months
in Kabul. The above-mentioned was really an interesting
experience of my life.
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NOTE: TO
BE ADDED. |
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