... I lived in New Dhaka for three years so I know a wee bit about what it's like. Although I didn't personally count the inhabitants of Dhaka, I believe there were about 8 million a couple of years ago. Your guess is as good as mine how many there are now.
Like many of the cities which were ... Read review
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Advantages: Convenient if you happen to work there. Disadvantages: Er, there's just not much there.
...there. I lived in New Dhaka for three years so I know a wee bit about what it's like. Although I didn't personally count the inhabitants of Dhaka, I believe there were about 8 million a couple of years ago. Your guess is as good as mine how many there are now.
Like many of the cities which were part of the old British India, (of which Dhaka was one until 1947) this huge sprawling city has its old and new districts. The old, typically, ... ...just tell you about New Dhaka for now.
The new area consists mainly of the diplomatic enclaves, aid projects and some newer markets. It's clearly divided into three distinct areas.
Baridhara is the modern diplomatic enclave, where most of the Embassies and High Commissions are situated, alongside grand bunglows, all enclosed behind high walls. Unless you work there or are a member of the British High Commission Club, ... more
They say the best way to get to know a place is to live there. I lived in New Dhaka for three years so I know a wee bit about what it's like. Although I didn't personally count the inhabitants of Dhaka, I believe there were about 8 million a couple of years ago. Your guess is as good as mine how many there are now.
Like many of the cities which were part of the old British India, (of which Dhaka was one until 1947) this huge sprawling city has its old and new districts. The old, typically, is a mass of narrow alleys, bustling with rickshaws, tuk-tuks, bicycles and all modes of transport. But the whole city is too big for just one op, so I'll just tell you about New Dhaka for now.
The new area consists mainly of the diplomatic enclaves, aid projects and some newer markets. It's clearly divided into three distinct areas.
Baridhara is the modern diplomatic enclave, where most of the Embassies and High Commissions are situated, alongside grand bunglows, all enclosed behind high walls. Unless you work there or are a member of the British High Commission Club, there is nothing for you here.
Gulshan Lake, which is so long and narrow a newcomer would be forgiven for thinking it's a river, separates Baridhara from Gulshan, a slightly newer area. Again, you'll find some rather swish bungalows here but the rate of new building has meant that many, if not most, have been pulled down and replaced with high rise flats. Many of the aid offices are in this area, as are most of the international clubs. If you're a member or have friends who are members, you can eat pizza in the American Club, play darts in the BAGHA, or drink in the Aussie Club etc. Otherwise, forget it. Dhaka is not Asia's nightlife capital.
At the north and south extremes of Gulshan, there are markets which are good for fabrics, vegetables, meat, and stationery. But, you'd hardly to go Dhaka just to buy those. There are also a few restaurants here - things change rapidly so I'm reluctant to give names, but you can generally find good Indian, Thai, Korean and Chinese eating places. The price, relatively speaking, is usually very cheap. There are also a couple of western-style, oft frequented by some foreigners, but I personally didn't like the food there.
Finally, in New Dhaka, there's Banani. There are houses, shops and a couple of restaurants there. That's it. There's nothing else to say about Banani - oh yes there's a bank there.
It would take much more time to describe Bangladesh, or even Dhaka, properly but here are a few more words before I go. Whilst Old Dhaka would be interesting for the intrepid tourist(Bangladesh's slogan is "See Bangladesh before the tourist comes")unless you know people there, New Dhaka is not for tourists. There are some guest houses but they cater mainly to expats on contract work and they're not cheap (£30 per night in some cases).
There is really nothing here for the casual visitor. Sure, there are slums on the edge of the lake if you want to voyeuristically experience poverty, sure there are beggars in the grand streets, women and children breaking bricks, ugly muts of dogs roaming around, beautiful palm trees, people gawping at you when you go out, and all the other things typical of Bangladesh. But if you want to see Bangladesh, then give New Dhaka a miss.
stravaig 02.03.2001 (02.03.2001)
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Quick review of Dhaka (Bangladesh)
This is a no-go zone, their is currently a fierece political climate and the nation is currently under martial law, by in effect the military backed provisional government.
Security is poor, and Corruption is rife, it is very unsafe to travel with women and children here without a heavy escort, due to muggings and robberies.
Dont take my revie lightly, this is what its like, its tourism industry is very primative, and hasnt even developed any where near to its neighbouring nations such as sri lanka etc.
Food Poisioning is rife, and Water is dangerous if not correctly setralised.
Caution is advised in visitng this nation until it can get basic stability in place aswell as a tourism industry. ...
ak481 01.08.2007
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...The place I visited was Dhaka Bangladesh. The thing that struck me most was the extreme poverty. At first you are absolutely stunned but after a while you become immune to it all. The travelling mode is either by Richshaw or a Scooter which are all brightly decorated.
The people are very friendly and stare at you everywhere you go.
The food is lovely much different to the Indian restaurant food. The culture is also so interesting. Leather goods, ...
laura 24.07.2000
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As soon as you land on the Bangladeshi soils you are constantly staired at....it was a nightmare coming true. I hate Bangladesh, probably because i went during the monson season and the flood season in 1998. It was horrible, all the roads where flooded, and transport was a nightmare aswell.
Dhaka, generally was not bad although too many ppl begging, and it was kinda stinky because of the slums.
site seeing was okay, we went to the parliment builing ... ...raining at the time.
I suppose i didn't like it because i was on my own with ppl i only just met a few days ago, it was feeing aprehensive, and i hated it when the electricity goes and never comes back for hours.
Overall it was okay, the shopping was the best part, fairly cheap, and some are good quailty. If i had better company i may off enjoyed myself!! Oh well thats my opinion ...
saira4arju 13.09.2000
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