War zone (once again)
Mar 28th, 2008 | 09:18 AM
#1
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,885
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War zone (once again)
I'm off to Afghanistan next week. Any new restaurants in Kabul?
Last time I had a fabulous time at Lai Thai, Popo Lano and the Red Pepper.
Staying in Kabul only this time.
Any recommendations would be welcomed.
Thanks!
Last time I had a fabulous time at Lai Thai, Popo Lano and the Red Pepper.
Staying in Kabul only this time.
Any recommendations would be welcomed.
Thanks!
Mar 31st, 2008 | 10:30 AM
#7
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,723
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Try Delhi Darbar. Avoid the Coca-Cola sold on the street ... http://tinyurl.com/2jqzuw
Have a good trip.
Have a good trip.
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Apr 5th, 2008 | 08:19 AM
#8
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Joined: Jan 2003
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After what seemed like eternity, I made it to Kabul late morning today. Had a private car pick me up and take me here:
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/6981388
I have to say I'm impressed. Very nice place. It's attached to a high end shopping mall which the locals call "mini Dubai". Not close, but to most average Afghanis it must seem that way. The hotel's nightly rate is more than many Afghanis earn in a year and some of the higher end stores must seem like a mirage.
OTOH, it seems like the city is moving forward and there seems to be a great deal of construction going on. Commerce is alive and well.
Did not do much today as I was really tired after 3 days of traveling.
I will grab a bite at the hotel restaurant in few minutes as it's getting late and perhaps follow up with couple of drinks and call it a day.
Have a great weekend!
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/6981388
I have to say I'm impressed. Very nice place. It's attached to a high end shopping mall which the locals call "mini Dubai". Not close, but to most average Afghanis it must seem that way. The hotel's nightly rate is more than many Afghanis earn in a year and some of the higher end stores must seem like a mirage.
OTOH, it seems like the city is moving forward and there seems to be a great deal of construction going on. Commerce is alive and well.
Did not do much today as I was really tired after 3 days of traveling.
I will grab a bite at the hotel restaurant in few minutes as it's getting late and perhaps follow up with couple of drinks and call it a day.
Have a great weekend!
Apr 6th, 2008 | 07:16 AM
#10
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,885
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Long day "at the office"....
Just got back in. It looks like it will be a full week or little more. I may be able to squeeze a free day inbetween so hopefully I'll get a chance to get out and do some touristy things.
We use a private car service to get us around. I believe it's called SafeTrip. These guys sure know their way around.
Another quick observation. We went to lunch at this place:
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/5290659
Wonderful, beautiful property. Was told it's the best in the country at the moment. Very expensive, very secure, although it was attacked in early January during the Norwegian Foreign Minister's stay there. Few Taliban attackers armed with guns, grenades succeded in killing 6 people, including a Norwegian and a US national. 2-3 hotel security guards and employee(s) of the hotel were also killed. I don't know all the details but I believe 2 or 3 of the attackers were killed as well. The security was vastly improved since.
Anyways, it's back to business as usual.
What I noticed as soon as I got in was the large number of beautiful and I may add, very <b>"friendly"</b> Eastern European young ladies...
Yeap, things are definitely changing around this town.
Looks like another quiet evening in my room. The hotel restaurant is good, nothing exceptional, but very much acceptable.
The Serena Resort restaurant was at least a notch or 2 above.
Just got back in. It looks like it will be a full week or little more. I may be able to squeeze a free day inbetween so hopefully I'll get a chance to get out and do some touristy things.
We use a private car service to get us around. I believe it's called SafeTrip. These guys sure know their way around.
Another quick observation. We went to lunch at this place:
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/5290659
Wonderful, beautiful property. Was told it's the best in the country at the moment. Very expensive, very secure, although it was attacked in early January during the Norwegian Foreign Minister's stay there. Few Taliban attackers armed with guns, grenades succeded in killing 6 people, including a Norwegian and a US national. 2-3 hotel security guards and employee(s) of the hotel were also killed. I don't know all the details but I believe 2 or 3 of the attackers were killed as well. The security was vastly improved since.
Anyways, it's back to business as usual.
What I noticed as soon as I got in was the large number of beautiful and I may add, very <b>"friendly"</b> Eastern European young ladies...
Yeap, things are definitely changing around this town.Looks like another quiet evening in my room. The hotel restaurant is good, nothing exceptional, but very much acceptable.
The Serena Resort restaurant was at least a notch or 2 above.
Apr 9th, 2008 | 08:23 AM
#12
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,885
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Good evening!
It's been a busy week so far. We did not have a chance to do much.
It may all change tonight. We're getting ready to watch Champions League game in couple of hours.
This place:
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/814619
may have it on satelite. If not, then we will just have a dinner there and then comeback here and watch it on one of the laptops.
Tomorrow the plan calls to play golf at the one and only golf course (if you can call it that). I don't play but I will be joining the group to cheer on the Americans. The Americans will go against the Brits, Afghanis and some other assorted bunch.
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/6137340
GO ManU!
It's been a busy week so far. We did not have a chance to do much.
It may all change tonight. We're getting ready to watch Champions League game in couple of hours.
This place:
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/814619
may have it on satelite. If not, then we will just have a dinner there and then comeback here and watch it on one of the laptops.
Tomorrow the plan calls to play golf at the one and only golf course (if you can call it that). I don't play but I will be joining the group to cheer on the Americans. The Americans will go against the Brits, Afghanis and some other assorted bunch.
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/6137340
GO ManU!
Apr 9th, 2008 | 09:21 PM
#13
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,885
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Good morning,
Sorry, the golf match is on Friday, not today.
How about the ManU boys?
Bring on Barca!
Is it too early to dream?
ManU vs Liverpool in Moscow!!!
Another trophy in the cabinet...
My head is pounding.... it was fun, but now it's time to pay....
Have a wonderful Thursday!
Sorry, the golf match is on Friday, not today.
How about the ManU boys?
Bring on Barca!
Is it too early to dream?
ManU vs Liverpool in Moscow!!!
Another trophy in the cabinet...
My head is pounding.... it was fun, but now it's time to pay....
Have a wonderful Thursday!
Apr 11th, 2008 | 09:02 AM
#14
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,885
Likes: 0
Earlier today the annual Kabul Open happened. The Brits beat the Americans, Afghanis and the "Assorted Bunch". It was fun.
St.Andrew's roughs have nothing on this course, if you can call it that. I have to say, it is a character builder, and I don't even play....
The course is still here because of the love of the game by a local man. I was told he was arrested once or twice before, but he perisited and survived the Soviet and Taliban occupations and so did the 9 hole course.
We just came back from dinner and now we're getting ready for the post tournament party....
Good night!
St.Andrew's roughs have nothing on this course, if you can call it that. I have to say, it is a character builder, and I don't even play....
The course is still here because of the love of the game by a local man. I was told he was arrested once or twice before, but he perisited and survived the Soviet and Taliban occupations and so did the 9 hole course.
We just came back from dinner and now we're getting ready for the post tournament party....
Good night!
Apr 15th, 2008 | 06:28 AM
#15
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,885
Likes: 0
Getting ready to go home. We completed our "mission" today. I will have a free day tomorrow and leave on Thursday.
Some final thoughts.
I really liked the Safi Hotel. Great location, nice rooms, business center, adequate restaurant and nice bar.
Serena Hotel is another possibility but it's expensive.
The restaurant choices are still limited but the few I visited are good to very good.
Although fairly safe city, one has to pay attention to the surroundings when out and about.
All in all, a very interesting visit but it's still some time before the city can become a true tourist destination, although there are many more tourists now than few years ago.
Going out tonight with bunch of people including some of our young wo/men stationed here. They are a fun bunch.
Good evening!
Some final thoughts.
I really liked the Safi Hotel. Great location, nice rooms, business center, adequate restaurant and nice bar.
Serena Hotel is another possibility but it's expensive.
The restaurant choices are still limited but the few I visited are good to very good.
Although fairly safe city, one has to pay attention to the surroundings when out and about.
All in all, a very interesting visit but it's still some time before the city can become a true tourist destination, although there are many more tourists now than few years ago.
Going out tonight with bunch of people including some of our young wo/men stationed here. They are a fun bunch.
Good evening!
