Zamzama park

(Funky tree. Me really like it.)

(Some structure inspired by something)

(I love this tree. Sadly, the picture hasn't done justice to it.)

(A pretty gazebo perfect for a nice cup of tea)

(The skating ring I was talking about)

(The Pakistan Bonsai society. More pictures on that later.)

(A Chinese inspired structure close to the Pakistan Bonsai society)

(Very pretty and artsy tree. I couldn't help but snap it.)

Since Mustafa Kamal became the new mayor of Karachi a lot of good, sensible projects have been initiated and completed in Karachi. I say ' sensible' and 'completed' keeping in mind the history of other mayors who have visited the mayor's office and breezed through their years in power. Not all of them, of course, but most of them. On the other hand, Mustafa Kamal genuinely put in all his effort to improve the city of Karachi and the lives of those living in it (Note: I am not saying this to support MQM, but as a concerned citizen of Karachi who really appreciates anyone doing anything good in the city.) He started the development of a lot of long-needed projects in the city like under-passes, by-passes, fly overs, medical clinics and other important things. Most important of all, however, he really stressed on the of building of new parks and green patches in the city to provide both relief from the hectic, crazily-noisy life of Karachi, and to make the city a little more greener. There after, a lot of new parks have sprung up here and there in the city, much to the delight of kids and green-lovers (that would be me!) alike.

The above pictures are of Zamzama park. My family and I often go for a walk there, early in the morning, right after our morning prayer (Fajr). It's very pretty and has very pretty trees. There is a nice, wide jogging track running around the perimeter of the park and that's connected to many small lanes that go through the heart of the park. Scattered around the lanes are a couple of artsy gazebos, one Chinese-style structure and a few other ancient-architecture-inspired structures which really pull the park together. Its nice to see that the park developers have put in an extra effort to do some landscaping in the park, rather than just building a bland park on one level with plain grass and jogging lanes. The landscaping makes a whole lot of difference to it.

There is even a skating ring in the middle of the park. I've seen kids skating there in the evening. And, like any park, this one is not complete without its share of swings and see-saws. Funnily, children are not the only ones seen playing there - adults can also be seen exercising on the swings and working out on the baby monkey bars! So, all in all, its a great park for a family to hang out in. :) And the best part is that you can go for a good, totally-non-healthy oil-laden paratha breakfast after a healthy walk in Zamazama park. A good dhabbey wala (a local restaurant that often caters to truck drivers) is not far from sight in Karachi and nor are the people who would want to eat in it.