I hope Disney don't find out

Day 8 - Karachi

We are staying at the Beach Luxury Hotel, which doesn't have a beach and being a 3 star hotel isn't that luxurious.

Breakfast was in the 007 restaurant, and the sign is complete with a black pistol. There was a table of western women at breakfast who were from the UK and were performing at the World Culture Festival 2025 in Karachi.

We booked a car using the InDrive app and went to the Empress Market in an old English colonial building. We wandered through the busy market, admiring the chillies, spices, sweets and snacks, as well as the shop selling stuffed animals.

A friend of M's had grown up in Karachi and we had the address of her old family home which wasn't far from the market, so we decided to walk there. We quickly realised that crossing the road in Pakistan is the same as in India, just step out and the traffic will miraculously weave around you (hopefully).

The building was easy to find as it had a large, grand facade, and a closer look showed that the roof had been removed and the interior had been gutted, it obviously wasn't in use but we couldn't tell if it was being demolished or renovated.

We booked another InDrive to take us to the Mohatta Palace Museum, originally built in 1927 as the summer home of a wealthy businessman. As we arrived we were greeted by a group of school children who were excited to meet their first Australians. 

In the museum entrance there were signs saying photos were prohibited, and we had to hand in our phones before entering. Staff members also followed us and directed us through the museum. There were two exhibitions, one of photographs of Mohammed Al Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, the other on the craft of embroidery as practiced in many areas of Pakistan.

After a mid afternoon snack back at our hotel we walked around the hotel grounds. It was Saturday and a lot of people were at the hotel. A group of beautifully dressed women wanted their photo taken with us, and found they were professionals from a nearby hospital celebrating the retirement of one of their colleagues.

Looking at Google Maps we could see a place by the water a few minutes walk from the hotel called Port Grand, with what appeared to be a few restaurants, and as it had.some positive reviews we decided to visit. 

There was an entry fee of 1000 rupees each (about $5.50), and it turned out to be something like an amusement park geared towards families, with a few rides and attractions for children, some restaurants and kiosks, as well as a slightly off brand Minnie Mouse like character to entertain kids.

It appeared to be all locals there, so we were a bit of a novelty, and K had many requests for photos, mainly from women, many of them in groups and very beautifully dressed. We probably should have gone there a little later as it was still quiet and most of the nicer looking restaurants hadn't yet opened. Once we'd finished exploring we called it a night and headed back to the hotel.