Assalamualaikum w.b.t,
I touched down here, Port Harcourt on Monday, the experience from Lagos to PH was horrible (jalan free lagi nak complaint kan..? hampeh) . But seriously, both airport are currently under going renovation, and it was not really much of an airport. The crew was shouting for which flight is departing (no notice board ok) and we the passengers have to go out and identify our bags right at the stairs leading to the plane, only then the luggage gets loaded to the plane. Horror..!! Ok, to cut long story short, I arrived in one piece at the company's residential area (RA).
I was greeted by the protocol people in airport and sent to the residential area, where I will be staying for the next few nights. At the RA, two people were waiting for me (bangga kejap, nasib baik takde carpet merah..hehehe..) One was Annie, she's a fellow Malaysian, following her husband who started working here ~1 year ago. They have this expat network and they do lookout for one another, so when they heard that I am coming for the visit, they make a point to meet and greet me and put all effort to make me feels welcome.
Another one was my future work buddy, Uche. He was in close contact with the protocol people even as soon as I touched down at Lagos. After the brief introduction, he left me with Annie since he sees me already in good hands. Annie showed me around a bit, such as places to eat, where to buy things and few others. After lunch and short break, I met Annie and her husband and they took me to dinner.
Let me tell you about the residential area, its an area owned by the company, with 3m walls surrounding it, topped with barb wire (and a secondary inner wall that is 1m distance from the main wall). What does that sounds to you? A prison? almost definitely..hehehe.. When I was brought in, I was in a van that was fully curtained, that is why I didn't realize the built of the wall. The expat living inside the RA (or camp) are not allowed to drive out, so both Annie and her hubby had bicycle, the lent their son's bike and we cycled to the next door camp that belongs to another company operating in Port Harcourt. During the short cycle, only then I realize the whole wall etc. The next neighbouring camp also was heavily guarded, but a little bit more relaxed compared to our camp. According to Annie, we are not allowed to go out un-escorted. Any trip are to be planned ahead. They have organized trip to buy groceries..(betul..tak tipu..)
For day to day needs, we can get from few stores inside the camp, but sometimes they need to get it from outside, and since PH is an industrial area, the cost of living is also quite high. Annie was advising me to include groceries inside my shipment as well. The transporter are not liable for food, so we have to bear the risk for any damage, lost, etc.. I am starting my checklist now. I have yet to see my potential house, plan for this Thursday, insyaAllah. The list will grow then.
I touched down here, Port Harcourt on Monday, the experience from Lagos to PH was horrible (jalan free lagi nak complaint kan..? hampeh) . But seriously, both airport are currently under going renovation, and it was not really much of an airport. The crew was shouting for which flight is departing (no notice board ok) and we the passengers have to go out and identify our bags right at the stairs leading to the plane, only then the luggage gets loaded to the plane. Horror..!! Ok, to cut long story short, I arrived in one piece at the company's residential area (RA).
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| Logistic crew loading the luggage |
Another one was my future work buddy, Uche. He was in close contact with the protocol people even as soon as I touched down at Lagos. After the brief introduction, he left me with Annie since he sees me already in good hands. Annie showed me around a bit, such as places to eat, where to buy things and few others. After lunch and short break, I met Annie and her husband and they took me to dinner.
Let me tell you about the residential area, its an area owned by the company, with 3m walls surrounding it, topped with barb wire (and a secondary inner wall that is 1m distance from the main wall). What does that sounds to you? A prison? almost definitely..hehehe.. When I was brought in, I was in a van that was fully curtained, that is why I didn't realize the built of the wall. The expat living inside the RA (or camp) are not allowed to drive out, so both Annie and her hubby had bicycle, the lent their son's bike and we cycled to the next door camp that belongs to another company operating in Port Harcourt. During the short cycle, only then I realize the whole wall etc. The next neighbouring camp also was heavily guarded, but a little bit more relaxed compared to our camp. According to Annie, we are not allowed to go out un-escorted. Any trip are to be planned ahead. They have organized trip to buy groceries..(betul..tak tipu..)
For day to day needs, we can get from few stores inside the camp, but sometimes they need to get it from outside, and since PH is an industrial area, the cost of living is also quite high. Annie was advising me to include groceries inside my shipment as well. The transporter are not liable for food, so we have to bear the risk for any damage, lost, etc.. I am starting my checklist now. I have yet to see my potential house, plan for this Thursday, insyaAllah. The list will grow then.
camp.. barb wires.. can only get out when permitted.. sounds like a soldier living in a war zone.....
ReplyDeletethank goodness u were minah ROTU!
once u get yourself settled, u gonna receive your very first visitor - me. bentang kapet merah di port harcourt airport ok :-D
hahaha..good to know, we'll see how it goes :)
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