Day Four

National Park Tour:
Water stop
Town market
Ox Cart








Waterfall








Monkeys








Lunch was at the elephant site. Again the food servings were small so we asked for an extra platter of cashew chicken. Surprisingly enough they consented. It's nice feeling full after a mean.

Then it was time for the elephant ride. You approach the elephant from a high platform so that you just step on. (Pictures will be available later.) Azhar and I sat on the bench while the driver sat on the elephant's neck. The elephant walks very slowly and when we went down a hill we were thankful that we were wearing seat belts because we were rolling and leaning forward. After a short walk down to the river the driver pulled up next to the river bank and jumped off. He asked for my camera and I thought, great a picture of us on the elephant. Then he asked me to move down onto the elephant's neck. Great I thought, a better picture. Then off he walks commanding the elephant to continue.

So there we were, me on the elephant's back with Azhar on the bench. There was no way I could get off. I stayed on the elephant all the way back. The driver must have taken 100 pictures. Anyway it was a fun ride.

A refreshing shower and change was very welcomed. So off we went for a little shopping. Azhar bought a dress shirt for our upcoming business meetings in Karachi. We both bought dress shoes at the Bata store.

Shopping done, we dropped our purchases off at the hotel and walked next door to a canal-side seafood restaurant. We were just walking in the door when the sky opened up with a downpour. Fortunately the rain abated by the time we finished the green Curry prawns.

Our friend Joe had recommended that we go to Nana Plaza to the colourful bar scene. We flagged down a taxi and off we went. The Plaza turned out to be a district not a shopping mall as I had expected. The area was essentially a short lane-way with bars on three sides and 3 floors high. The upstairs levels had an outside balcony where you could sit along the outside edge and have a beverage. After doing all three levels and not picking a bar, we stopped on level two and had a beverage and a cigar. People watching was entertaining enough with all of the different characters walking by looking for just the right bar.

It was approaching midnight and we had to get up early to meet our driver who would take us to the river to meet up with the Long Boat for our canal tour so I suggested we leave. I really need my sleep.