Preecha's Farewell + Life In North Africa

Okay, I know this post is super overdue. Shall explain why later.

Anyway, Preecha (a fellow Thai colleague) left Algeria for good on 04-04-07. And a night before he departed, we had a little farewell party at his home. During which, he taught SOMETHING and myself to whip up some Thai dishes. It was kinda like his way of telling us he appreciates our friendship if you know what I mean.

Check out what SOMETHING is doing! He's taking pictures even while he's cooking! *hahaha*

SOMETHING cooked this!!! *yummy*

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Lately, I've been kinda caught up with the whole bombing woo-haa in North Africa.

Yes. You guessed it. I was present in both Algiers & Casablanca when the bombings happened. So much so that we (the bunch of expats) started to joke that we might somehow have something to do with the bombings. *duh*

Anyhow, other than the longer waiting time for checks before we are able to get to the airports. We're pretty much unaffected by the whole bombing saga... for now that is.

I finally arrived at Beirut-Lebanon yesterday evening, after 6 months of waiting for my working visa to be approved. I'm really thrilled to be in Beirut. I'm so looking forward to all the pubbing, clubbing, movies, shopping, mega-malls, etc etc... basically CIVILIZATION!

*wOo hOO oo~O*

Algeria International Motorshow

Making observations at motorshows is kinda within my jobscope.

Having worked in Thailand for a year and been in-charge of Thailand operations for the past 3 years. I've visited the Bangkok Motorshow several times. And each visit never fail to impress me. Particularly the time when they were giving free foot reflexology to the motorshow visitors. It was sooo Thai... and I thought it was a really excellent marketing approach.

Last Sunday (01-04-07), I visited the International Motorshow in Algeria. And boy did it make an impression on me. Well, not exactly in a good way thou. For one, there were way too many China makers with imitation vehicle models. If you think pirated dvds were bad, think again.

FORYOTA

They say they take the best of Ford & Toyota! *shrugz*

Oh btw, I got into some troubles with the guy in the picture while taking this photo. What's he gotta hide anyway?! Photo-taking has always been welcomed at all motorshows. Unless they've got something to hide?! *DUH*

FAW - First Automotive Works

A joint venture between a China Group & Toyota since Aug'02.

The picture below shows an exact replica of the Toyota Yaris under FAW brand aka "Vizi". The engine even says Toyota on it!

Here are some other pictures from the motorshow... ... ....

Motorshow Entrance @ SAFEX

Toyota Booth

It is usually frowned upon for visitors to be up on the display platform - like what the guy at the Toyota booth in the picture above is doing.

Same goes for the guy checking out the Citroen C6 in the picture below. *shrugs*

Citroen Booth

Hyundai Booth

Hyundai is the No.1 seller in the Algerian market. But look at the big screen on the right side. Why are there dead pixels!?

Thai Fiesta In Algeria (30-03-07)

It's a real blessing that SOMETHING & I got to know a bunch of Thais here in Algeria. Last friday, we were invited to the Thais' residence to enjoy a traditional home-cooked lunch.

And it was S.U.P.E.R.B! After months and months of pasta, pizza, sharwama, steak & potato, I was definitely craving for some spicy food! And I mean SOLID SPICY FOOD!

Food such as TOM YUM KUNG (Tom Yum Prawn Soup), KAENG KHIAO WAN (Green Curry Chicken), LARB NUA (Minced Beef Salad), etc.

Here U'll See Everyone Busy Preparing KAENG KHIAO WAN

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And Here, U'll See Preecha Preparing The All Famous TOM YUM KUNG (which was Preecha's specialty & he didn't wanna teach anyone how to cook it *pouts*)...

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But I Did Manage To Get My Hands On Preparing The KAENG KHIAO WAN. Under The Supervision Of The Thai "Chefs"... =)

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Mm~~ Mouth-Watering TOM YUM KUNG

And to sum it all up. . .

We Are HAPPY ! ! !

Tipaza & Algiers Center (29-03-07)

Last Thursday, SOMETHING & I took a little road trip up to Tipaza - a town on the coast of Algeria.

Together with a fellow Thai colleague & two other Algerian colleagues, we borrowed a company car and set off to Tipaza after our half day work. (In case you didn't know, weekends in Algeria are on Thursdays and Fridays. So technically, Thursdays=Saturdays & Fridays=Sundays)

Anyhow, before arriving at Tipaza, we made a brief stop to take lunch. We were at this port which offers a whole stretch of restaurants serving fresh seafood.

Me & Preecha @ The Seafood Restaurant

After an hour on the road, we finally arrived at Tipaza. The town looks really interesting. There was this lane that was filled with bars which serves all kinds of imported beers (this being a Muslim country was indeed very rare). It was a pity that it started raining, and we couldn't visit the Roman ruins.

However, we did manage to make a stop at the side of the mountain to take a picture of the view below . . . =)

View From The Top

Me & Maha

Sheriff, Maha & Preecha
It Was Freezing!

SOMETHING Looking Like Teletubby *hee hee*

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Since it was raining non-stop, we decided to leave Tipaza and visit the ruins another time. Soon, we arrived at Algiers Center and popped in at a cafe for some crepes & coffee.

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Lastly, a peek at Algiers Center (equivalent to Singapore's Orchard Road - according to the locals) *shrugz* . . . I'll let you judge for yourself.

Main Streets of Algiers Center

Looks A Bit Like Little India In Singapore Don'T U Think?

The Buildings Have A Hint Of French Style As Algeria Was Once Ruled By The French
The Streets Are Almost Always Congested

Preecha Busy Buying Postcards Of Algeria As He Is Returning To Thailand Soon.