A PUK code is not specific to the handest, it is specific to the SIM card within. Did you phone the customer care of the network or the handset manufacturer? The manufacturer will not be able to help. If it was the network you called in the UK then I assume that they have a presence here. If so then simply go and purchase a pay as you go SIM card from that network here and it should work in your handset. There may be a chance that SIMs are also country specific, but I'm not sure.
Your phone numbers may be stored on the original SIM, in which case you WILL have to find a way to unlock if you wish to access them. Normally you can only get this info from your network provider (as you may have tried), but it may also be possible to do it by visting any one of those stalls you get at weekend markets (or even shops) that say things like 'Phone unlocking here!' Normally they remove the locks that prevent handsets accepting the SIMs of different networks, but they MAY be able to help you in dealing with your PUK problem as they have a selection of specialised hardware/software.