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Raj's World
Possibly the biggest Ulloo
Thanks for the complement, Ashok!
Now.....
2003 - 2013, Ghent, Belgium.
I lived in Ghent, Belgium, for almost ten years. A lot of my work involved travel - mostly in Europe and Middle East.
I lived in Ghent, Belgium, for almost ten years. A lot of my work involved travel - mostly in Europe and Middle East.
.... & then
1975. Northfleet, Kent, England - Springhead Technical School.
Chemistry experiment. Sooo..... where is the rest of the class? Do they think I'm about to blow the lab up? Probably. Not one of my top subjects at school, I was more into biology and maths. Still, quite by accident ended up in a lifetime career as a paper making chemist!
All of us Ulloos met at University of Reading. I graduated in Agriculture hoping to specialise in Animal Sciences but ended up doing a doctorate in physical chemistry!
Chemistry experiment. Sooo..... where is the rest of the class? Do they think I'm about to blow the lab up? Probably. Not one of my top subjects at school, I was more into biology and maths. Still, quite by accident ended up in a lifetime career as a paper making chemist!
All of us Ulloos met at University of Reading. I graduated in Agriculture hoping to specialise in Animal Sciences but ended up doing a doctorate in physical chemistry!
The historic city of Gent was a great place to live. There is a lot to see and do. Every July the city hosts a festival of music and arts. The ten day long event is held in the city centre. Below are some more images of this wonderful place.
My first school
Early to mid 1960's. Jagga, Jajja Khurd, Punjab, India.
Yes, this was one of the many schools I would go to in India before coming to England. The classes were take in the open while the little white buildings (called kuttia) were occupied by "sadhu" or holy men when school was on holidays. For this, and other strange reasons, the place was considered sacred. Located about a mile from the village and surrounded by fields it was also home to interesting wildlife. The resident king cobras were of course also sacred and women from the village would leave milk in shallow dishes for them to drink. Then, I had no idea that buffalo milk was much loved by snakes.
The many ancient trees provided cover from the scorching summer sun but there was nothing to provide warmth during the winter months when the frost set in and the water in the pond, where we washed and re-clayed our wooden boards for writing on, also froze over. During the monsoon downpours the school would decamp to a single building in the village. I'm pleased to say that there is now a more permanent and purpose built school in Jujja Khurd proper.
The favourite pastime of the teachers, who we unanimously feared and loathed, was to give anyone a good beating at the slightest excuse - which included any wrong answers to the questions they put to us. I was not meted out the punishment due to my grandfather's prohibition orders - or rather command given to the head teacher. I did not like this special status as I wanted to be treated like the rest of my class mates.
My early education was constantly disrupted as my maternal grandparents, who I lived with most of the time, would move to places where my grandfather worked as an inspector for the farmers' Co-Operative - overseeing that the government grants were suitably invested to drive the Green Revolution. He took no nonsense from anyone and would not tolerate any whiff of corruption. I remember going to primary schools in Machhiwara, Garhshakar, Balachaur, Shamchaurasi to name a few towns in Punjab. Holidays were what I looked forward to as we would return to our village home and its wonderfully scented garden full of wildlife that would daily capture my attention.
Yes, this was one of the many schools I would go to in India before coming to England. The classes were take in the open while the little white buildings (called kuttia) were occupied by "sadhu" or holy men when school was on holidays. For this, and other strange reasons, the place was considered sacred. Located about a mile from the village and surrounded by fields it was also home to interesting wildlife. The resident king cobras were of course also sacred and women from the village would leave milk in shallow dishes for them to drink. Then, I had no idea that buffalo milk was much loved by snakes.
The many ancient trees provided cover from the scorching summer sun but there was nothing to provide warmth during the winter months when the frost set in and the water in the pond, where we washed and re-clayed our wooden boards for writing on, also froze over. During the monsoon downpours the school would decamp to a single building in the village. I'm pleased to say that there is now a more permanent and purpose built school in Jujja Khurd proper.
The favourite pastime of the teachers, who we unanimously feared and loathed, was to give anyone a good beating at the slightest excuse - which included any wrong answers to the questions they put to us. I was not meted out the punishment due to my grandfather's prohibition orders - or rather command given to the head teacher. I did not like this special status as I wanted to be treated like the rest of my class mates.
My early education was constantly disrupted as my maternal grandparents, who I lived with most of the time, would move to places where my grandfather worked as an inspector for the farmers' Co-Operative - overseeing that the government grants were suitably invested to drive the Green Revolution. He took no nonsense from anyone and would not tolerate any whiff of corruption. I remember going to primary schools in Machhiwara, Garhshakar, Balachaur, Shamchaurasi to name a few towns in Punjab. Holidays were what I looked forward to as we would return to our village home and its wonderfully scented garden full of wildlife that would daily capture my attention.
Kabul, Afghanistan
The first time I left England to go abroad was on a school day trip to Bologne, France. This was to give us an impression of France, it's food and to practice our basic French.In December 1978 I went to India for the first time since my family had moved to Britain from Punjab in 1967. Being a student I chose the cheapest airline ticket available on an Ariana Afghan Airlines flight from Heathrow to Amritsar via Kabul.
On landing at Kabul airport we were greeted by a large red banner reading "WORKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE" and a few military tanks parked by the side of the landing strip. I had heard something about the Soviets having been invited by the Afghan government to stabilize their country so I guessed this was something to do with that. The Soviets would soon intervene militarily and the knock on consequences of the war that ensued would end up with where the country finds itself today (2013). Still, my interest was not in politics but getting to India as soon as I could.
Kabul Airport was a simple building with very basic amenities. Almost all the passengers were Indian on a visit to see their families. While we waited in the lounge for The Indian Airlines flight to Amritsar a group of women debated with a man about forty years old wearing a rather strange black conical hat. "Where are you from and where are you going?" inquired the women. The softly spoken man told them he was a bus driver from Birmingham on his way to see his guru in Punjab. After being asked he told the women he was a Sikh. The women soundly ticked him off for following a false guru since he should only have trust in the Sikh gurus. I felt I was almost in India!
Once in the airplane three bearded burly Afghan Sikhs all wearing salwar and kamiz topped with large loosely bound colourful turbans sat in the seats opposite to where I sat. They called over the pretty young stewardess in an elegant sari and asked her to bring them a bottle of whiskey, some water and three glasses. She told them the plane was still on the tarmac and she could not serve them drinks. They insisted and the poor woman gave in. The bottle of whiskey was empty even before the aircraft had taxied for take off. The result of the sudden intoxication brought on some mischievous behaviour. Every time the stewardess passed by them the man sitting in the isle seat stuck out his leg so that she was forced to step over it - slightly lifting up her sari as she did so. This simple act the men found to very entertaining and they giggled like little school children.
On the return flight back from Amritsar the Ariana airplane developed technical problems and sat on Kabul airport tarmac for a number of hours as we looked on. Some engineers had exposed the engines to carry out repairs. Seeing the guts of the machine was not very comforting. The flight was delayed for a day and we had to spend the rest of the day and the following night in Kabul. This gave all an opportunity to look around and go shopping. The Afghans were very hospitable and served us tea in every shop we visited with no obligation to buy anything. For me, what subsequently happened to this once pleasant city was very sad.
On landing at Kabul airport we were greeted by a large red banner reading "WORKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE" and a few military tanks parked by the side of the landing strip. I had heard something about the Soviets having been invited by the Afghan government to stabilize their country so I guessed this was something to do with that. The Soviets would soon intervene militarily and the knock on consequences of the war that ensued would end up with where the country finds itself today (2013). Still, my interest was not in politics but getting to India as soon as I could.
Kabul Airport was a simple building with very basic amenities. Almost all the passengers were Indian on a visit to see their families. While we waited in the lounge for The Indian Airlines flight to Amritsar a group of women debated with a man about forty years old wearing a rather strange black conical hat. "Where are you from and where are you going?" inquired the women. The softly spoken man told them he was a bus driver from Birmingham on his way to see his guru in Punjab. After being asked he told the women he was a Sikh. The women soundly ticked him off for following a false guru since he should only have trust in the Sikh gurus. I felt I was almost in India!
Once in the airplane three bearded burly Afghan Sikhs all wearing salwar and kamiz topped with large loosely bound colourful turbans sat in the seats opposite to where I sat. They called over the pretty young stewardess in an elegant sari and asked her to bring them a bottle of whiskey, some water and three glasses. She told them the plane was still on the tarmac and she could not serve them drinks. They insisted and the poor woman gave in. The bottle of whiskey was empty even before the aircraft had taxied for take off. The result of the sudden intoxication brought on some mischievous behaviour. Every time the stewardess passed by them the man sitting in the isle seat stuck out his leg so that she was forced to step over it - slightly lifting up her sari as she did so. This simple act the men found to very entertaining and they giggled like little school children.
On the return flight back from Amritsar the Ariana airplane developed technical problems and sat on Kabul airport tarmac for a number of hours as we looked on. Some engineers had exposed the engines to carry out repairs. Seeing the guts of the machine was not very comforting. The flight was delayed for a day and we had to spend the rest of the day and the following night in Kabul. This gave all an opportunity to look around and go shopping. The Afghans were very hospitable and served us tea in every shop we visited with no obligation to buy anything. For me, what subsequently happened to this once pleasant city was very sad.
A month in Europe
August 1983 - Inter Rail for one month (while at Reading University doing a doctorate)
I'm sure it's an idea many students had at the time and still do. To travel around Europe without much planning. The only planning I had to do was decide which countries my friend and I wanted to see. We agreed to go to Greece via France, Italy, and Yugoslavia. Then on the return through Austria and Germany and back to France to catch the ferry to Dover. We had no idea how much it was all going to cost, made no budget plans but took what we thought would be necessary. We decided on camping where we could and took a lightweight tent.
So one not so warm autumn morning took a train to Dover and got there almost too late to get on the booked ferry to Calais. Good start!
I'm sure it's an idea many students had at the time and still do. To travel around Europe without much planning. The only planning I had to do was decide which countries my friend and I wanted to see. We agreed to go to Greece via France, Italy, and Yugoslavia. Then on the return through Austria and Germany and back to France to catch the ferry to Dover. We had no idea how much it was all going to cost, made no budget plans but took what we thought would be necessary. We decided on camping where we could and took a lightweight tent.
So one not so warm autumn morning took a train to Dover and got there almost too late to get on the booked ferry to Calais. Good start!
What we did not see during the Ulloo trip to Egypt.....
On my first visit to Egypt I went to Aswan with the intention of going to Abu Simbel to see the Great Temple of Ramses II located almost 300 km away from the town. We set off at about three in the morning with the stars shining brightly above us as we were driven through the desert. Almost all the ten or so tourists fell asleep as did the driver at the wheel! It was a long monotonous drive on a straight road and luckily without any traffic. I nudged my friend and pointed to the driver. He panicked but I told him to stay calm as the driver was probably used to it!
.... and Turkey
I've lost count of the number of times I've been to Turkey for work. One weekend I was there I had time to visit one of the nine small Princes' Islands in the Marmara sea on a boat ride from Istanbul. This is a laid back trip and well worth spending an entire day on. Some of the Turkish wealthy live on the island I visited. Eating freshly caught fish kebabs by the coast is highly recommended.
On the Ulloo trip there Saif and Samji wanted o go there on the last day at a time we should have been arranging to go to the airport!
On the Ulloo trip there Saif and Samji wanted o go there on the last day at a time we should have been arranging to go to the airport!
A street on one of the islands
The islands are totally free of motorized traffic so provide a calm and relaxing ambiance. There are horse carriages to take sight-seers around the place although pictured here is a working horse and cart.
Whirling Dervishes, Istanbul
On the Ulloo trip to Egypt was also saw a whirling Dervish performance (see Egypt page) but that was a show put on for tourists by actors. In Istanbul, got to go to a real Dervish "Zikr" (or "Sema) performed by Dervishes belonging to the Mevlevi order. It is my ambition to visit Konya during the festival when Dervishes gather there.
Amasra - the Black Sea, Turkey
Amasra is a laid back little town on the Black Sea where only Turkish holiday makers go to. It's recommended a visit. I took this shot while dining on superb fish and freshly prepared salad at a great restaurant.
A fine restaurant in Amasra
Highly recommended for freshly caught fish and seafood. Try the simple but delicious fried whole Red Mullet (surprisingly also called 'Sultan Ibrahim'). Became my favourite fish there. I've forgotten the name of the place.
Dalaman Turkey
View from my hotel of ancient rock carved structures. Reminded me of Petra.
Dalaman is a small tourist town but I was there for work. There are motorized boats that can take you out via the river to the Mediterranean Sea coast which is protected due to it being a breeding site for turtles.
I also went to Kahramanmaras famous for its baklava and Gaziantep well known for a type of local pistachio nut grown there in abundance.
Dalaman is a small tourist town but I was there for work. There are motorized boats that can take you out via the river to the Mediterranean Sea coast which is protected due to it being a breeding site for turtles.
I also went to Kahramanmaras famous for its baklava and Gaziantep well known for a type of local pistachio nut grown there in abundance.
USA
I've been to the States quite a few times on work matters. Seen something of New York, Princeton NJ, Syracuse NY, Nashville and Memphis TN but never got the time to visit Graceland. In Atlanta GA I got to visit the Coca Cola Museum. In the first hall hang all the flags of the countries where Coca Cola is sold. More like ask where is it NOT sold. Well, just about everywhere apart from places like N Korea, Cuba and Iran due to US sanctions. Even then one can get it in both Iran and N Korea so I've heard. Shouldn't be too long before Cuba opens up and world dominance will be complete!
Atlanta GA - stream loads of Coca Cola!
Jet streams of Coca Cola gush out of taps and you can drink as much as you like - all for free. Just place a plastic cup on the spot indicated and just the right volume of the stuff is poured in. A little boy gulped down a good cupful and wanted a second one despite the objections voiced by his mother. A heated mother-son argument broke out with some bemused visitors looking on. Eventually the mother gave in on the condition that the boy drink the whole of the second cup. He failed to empty the cup and got a round of loud ticking off. TOLD YOU SO you little blighter!
Budapest, Hungary
While attending a conference I got to see something of Budapest. This is a picture of the parliament building.
Budapest
The river Denube
Denube separates Buda (west bank) from Pest (east bank).
South Korea
I got to see a bit of S Korea while on a work visit. This is a picture taken in the town of Jeongju. One evening my hosts took me to a traditional Korean restaurant. We ate a number of different dishes including fermented fish which released a flow of tingling ammonia as it came out through the nose. This is an addictive delicacy I was told. Could have fooled me! The milky looking rice beer, brought to us in a massive old copper kettle, was semi-fermented and I was told it would finish the fermentation process in the stomach causing one to belch more than usual! In one bowl was what looked like dark brown beans of some type. I picked one out with the chop sticks only to realize it was an insect! It was too late to put it back so I had to eat it. Yuk tasting! These were silk worms out of the silk cocoons. Why waste good protein? My hosts told me they loved the bugs and one bought them specially for his girlfriend. How romantic I thought. Just to keep the memory of this rather unpleasant encounter alive I purchased a small can of them!
Russia - St Petersburg
I have been to Russia three times. Twice to St Petersburg and once to the industrial town of Syktyvkar (about 1000 km north east of Moscow). It was mid winter, very cold and covered with about half a meter of snow. Syktyvkar is a town where one can experience the legacy of the Soviet Union. Much has probably not changed since Russia became a democratic republic.
When I first went to St Petersburg, during a pleasant summer week, I was told by my host "this is not the real Russia!" This majestic imperial city, once the capital, is surrounded by a mix of what the Tsars have left behind and "real Russia". On my last day there a meeting with our customer was cancelled so my host decided we would spend the morning going on a boat tour on the Neva River.
When I first went to St Petersburg, during a pleasant summer week, I was told by my host "this is not the real Russia!" This majestic imperial city, once the capital, is surrounded by a mix of what the Tsars have left behind and "real Russia". On my last day there a meeting with our customer was cancelled so my host decided we would spend the morning going on a boat tour on the Neva River.
St Petersburg
This is the ship, I was told, from where Lenin launched the October Revolution of 1917.
St Petersburg
Interior of the Kazan Cathedral we visited in the afternoon before I left for the airport.
Egypt (again)
While at work in Egypt I stayed in Cairo. A picture of the Hindu temple-like house of the “Baron” in Egypt. He was a Belgian with good, if not eccentric, tastes. After the Baron left the building was neglected by the Egyptians until recently and is now undergoing renovation and is beautifully floodlit at night.
Spain
I have been to Spain a few times (Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Zaragoza, besides the places visited with the Ulloos). The last time I went to the historic and important pilgrimage town of Santiago de Compostela.
The impressive cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, where an every 10 year pilgrimage was underway. Loads of people came to hug the statue of Saint James the Great installed in the cathedral. Curiously they carried walking sticks with scallop shells (scallop of St Jacob) tied to them. The cathedral is the burial place of St James the Greater - one of the apostles of Jesus.
The impressive cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, where an every 10 year pilgrimage was underway. Loads of people came to hug the statue of Saint James the Great installed in the cathedral. Curiously they carried walking sticks with scallop shells (scallop of St Jacob) tied to them. The cathedral is the burial place of St James the Greater - one of the apostles of Jesus.
Durban South Africa
I have been twice for work. The first time my hosts took me to a Rugby match (Durban v. another RSA town). The Zulu dancers put on a show before the match began. Once the match did begin I lost all interest and went into the entertainment suite hired for us. Spent the rest of the time drinking wine and chatting to the wives of the men who were watching the game.
The second time I went Durban was abuzz and in a party move. Parties were in full swing in some of the rooms of my hotel. When I met my host he cheerfully told me he had a ticket for a rugby match for me - this time Springboks v. All Blacks. Some sort of world rugby event. We would be going to the match! Well not quite! As I schemed on finding reasons to opt out. All rugby fans from around the world would have thought me to be totally bonkers! Well the thing is, why waste a ticket on someone who is going to get totally lost by the game and end up supping wine? Why not give it to someone who is REALLY going to enjoy the event? This was arranged without any problems and I was asked to hand my ticket to the chosen lucky man - I'm sure as I did so he lifted a few feet off the ground!
The second time I went Durban was abuzz and in a party move. Parties were in full swing in some of the rooms of my hotel. When I met my host he cheerfully told me he had a ticket for a rugby match for me - this time Springboks v. All Blacks. Some sort of world rugby event. We would be going to the match! Well not quite! As I schemed on finding reasons to opt out. All rugby fans from around the world would have thought me to be totally bonkers! Well the thing is, why waste a ticket on someone who is going to get totally lost by the game and end up supping wine? Why not give it to someone who is REALLY going to enjoy the event? This was arranged without any problems and I was asked to hand my ticket to the chosen lucky man - I'm sure as I did so he lifted a few feet off the ground!
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Been to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam for work. During one visit it was Ramadan in the middle of summer with temperatures hitting almost 50 degrees Centigrade. To respect my hosts I also decided to keep the fast (well almost, as I had a little breakfast after sun rise). But throughout the day until sunset I neither ate nor dank anything. My fast lasted four days while I was there. I stayed in a five star air conditioned hotel and was driven in air conditioned cars to have meetings in pleasantly cool offices. But, I thought, for me the fast is easy but what about the poor souls also fasting while at work in the open in the scorching heat? I really admired them for it.
What did come as a surprise at the end of the day's fast were lavish banquets with a choice of untold number of dishes. Some diners went a bit over-the-top by overloading their plates only to realize their eyes were bigger than their stomachs!
What did come as a surprise at the end of the day's fast were lavish banquets with a choice of untold number of dishes. Some diners went a bit over-the-top by overloading their plates only to realize their eyes were bigger than their stomachs!
Lisbon, Portugal
While attending a conference in Lisbon I got to stay the weekend and see something of the place. I visited a few famous sites but there is a lot more to see and do here than can be covered by just a day. I really liked the sleepy atmosphere of the old part of the city which is also dotted with shops selling many types of port for which of course Portugal is world renowned.
This is a picture of the historic Belem Tower the Tagus River.
This is a picture of the historic Belem Tower the Tagus River.
Vasco da Gama
It is from Lisbon that Vasco Da Gama would set off in 1497 on his first of three voyages around the Cape of Africa to the east coast of the continent and onward to India.
This monument commemorates the event with Vasco leading his fellow sailors.
This monument commemorates the event with Vasco leading his fellow sailors.
Typical street in old Lisbon
Sweden, Norway and Denmark
I have been to these Scandinavian countries a few times and Sweden the most. Amongst the places visited have been Oslo, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Borlänge
, Gothenburg, Leksand, Stora, Sundavall and the northerly Ornskölsdsvik where winter days are very short and the summer ones very long - almost no night at all. One time in Gothenburg I had to catch a return flight to London from Copenhagen and wanted to get the ferry across to Denmark. My host however decided to put me on a helicopter. It was a blustery day as you can see by the man's rain coat flapping in the wind. The helicopter was already swaying unsteadily while still on the tarmac. I held my breath and got on to experience one of the worst flights I've ever had. It was more like being on a fairground ride which most sane people would avoid going on! OK, it was exciting really!!