General: Bangladesh

Wow the sheer amount of terrible and quite condescending if not downright insulting drivel that gets spouted about Bangladesh makes me wonder two things: Are they talking about the same country? 2) Can people who have not properly visited the country not comment.

I am ethnically Bangladeshi - well my parents are from there and we have house in the capital, I am fortunate in the respect that I grew up with both cultures fully having spent ...
...dhaka - the capital. I did however grow up by and large in london with all the luxuries of living in a 1st world country, private school, drama school etc.. so I have an insight into living in both countries and environments,

First of all there is no denying it is a poor country, a heavily overpopulated society where literacy levels are barely scraping the 40% mark and there is much that needs to be done about that and indeed through ... more

Wow the sheer amount of terrible and quite condescending if not downright insulting drivel that gets spouted about Bangladesh makes me wonder two things: Are they talking about the same country? 2) Can people who have not properly visited the country not comment.

I am ethnically Bangladeshi - well my parents are from there and we have house in the capital, I am fortunate in the respect that I grew up with both cultures fully having spent several months a year and a gap year working in dhaka - the capital. I did however grow up by and large in london with all the luxuries of living in a 1st world country, private school, drama school etc.. so I have an insight into living in both countries and environments,

First of all there is no denying it is a poor country, a heavily overpopulated society where literacy levels are barely scraping the 40% mark and there is much that needs to be done about that and indeed through business and commerce we have taken the iniative to get the likes of Citigroup, Merryl Lynch, KPMG, Delootie and other big corporations to invest in the country.. being not only very profitable for them but brining much needed money into our economy - not through charity of which 90% goes into running the charity itself!! But through sheer commerce and hard work. The financial market is burgeoning and has boomed 200% over the last two years, i can tell you this from personal experience in the industry.. essentially I come from a mercantile family and heritage or no heritage my parents wouldn't have invested their money in Bangladesh if this was not true.

The countries capital city sits in the centre and is called Dhaka (prev. Dacca) and
other major cities include Chittagong, Shylet, Khulna, Mymensingh

SO... what can you expect when you go dhaka?? If you are going in the summer expect high temperatures, humidity and heavy rain during the mid day otherwise known as the Monsoon season. Flooding is not uncommon and I would not advice a first time visitor go during this season (although it is undoubtedly my favourite). The winter season has very pleasant warm temperatures, cool winds and is a perfect time for some sigh seeing and travelling the length of the country safely. I would advice women to either go in a group and make sure you have contacted someone you either know in Bangladesh or the British consulate before travelling. Vaccines you will need are Typhoid (lasts three years) Heppaptitis B (lasts 10 years).. Malaria pills are also advisable, Take plenty of anti mosquito repellent for body just in case. Take a travel guide, but more importantly try and find some bangladeshi people you know who have visited the country to tell you places to go and things do and see... the best kept secrets are passed out down word of mouth - we a re very clan-like society lol

More likely than not you will have offers to stay in their houses, eat at their places or even self professed tour guides in your bangali friends - the one thing almost every foreigner has said after leaving bangladesh was how hospitable the people are.

Foods you must try are.. dhaka biryani - found in the old part of town, the roads r small so you will have to take rickshaw at certain points in the journey. Also try and find a branch of "Danshiri or Kosturi - where you will find traditional home cooked delicacies made hygenically in these small restaurants - DON'T be a afraid to roll up your sleaves and eat with your hands!! traditional dishes to try are smoked hilsha (type of fish smoked in banana leaves), tok daal (sour lentil soup), achari ghost (sour beef curry), Bharta ( like mash but made with different things such as black seed, methi, potatoes, aubergines).. if you can crash a wedding then certainly do theyr sooo much fun! Lots of dancing and eating and teasing and beautiful ladies dolled up in saries and all

Other things to do in the city are visit, dhaka university campus, high court, the bangha-babhan (pariliament house), take a stroll in one of dhaka's numerous parks, go have dinner and drinks at the 5* hotel Westin situated in Gulshan which offers some of the best haute cuisine in bangladesh and amazing views.. I went to a buffet style one where they had tepanyaki bar, a rotresorri, persian selection and chinese selection + my favourite italian dessert section! The night life isnt anything compared to europe or the states but you could check out club 13 at the Regenecy hotel - The best night to party in the city is Thursday as the weekends run from thursday til sunday.

Outside dhaka you really should visit Chittagong: can be reached by train, plain, bus and car, check out your options and your budget and see which you would prefer. When chittagong you can visit the small beach called Patenga (watch out for beach parties lol) and sample some of the local delights, the food is really unusual and different there owing to the mixed mileu of culutres being a port city and all. Try and find out if you can get a driver to take you to the golf course, which absolutely stunning - a local resident with said "connections" or membership will be able to take you and its absolutely breathe taking, then take a drive to rangamati - literally meaning coloured earth as the earth there is a starteling bright red colour. Also while in chittagong take a flight/ferry to cox's bazar which will probably be the highlight of your trip. I reccomend the seagull hotel and the sea palace hotel both have their own private beaches at the back. Cox's bazar is the longest unbroken beach in the world and its really relaxing and nice with a few activites like horse riding and quad bike riding. Check out mermaid cafe, Inani stone beach and Himchuri waterfall the sheer amount of greenary, hill tracts and natural beauty is stunning. You may also like to check out near by st. martins island - although i havent been and cannot comment.

Finally other places to visit include: Shylett tea gardens, Mymensigh buddist ruins dating back to the 8th century, Bandarban (near Chittagong I think) for hiking expidition, I been told the last remaing mangrove forest along the ganges is in south of bengal - the sundarbans - are the most beautiful place to see in the subcontinent its like going on safari expect instead of a car you'll be on a small boat manned by the local people. There are some other smaller beaches like Kuakata and I suggest whereever you go take a good quality camera with you - you will want to cherish the memory for a lifetime!

If you fancy a little bit of luxury and "me" time there are several high quality salons in the capital for both men and women (habibs is great) and you can treat youself to an herbal facial using all nautural ayurvedic herbs, a thai full body massage and mani-pedi.. for blokes.. having a facial is not at all considered gay in the east and if thats all too girly for you at least treat yourself to an indian head massage!

I hope this offers a more balanced view of bangladesh and is a mini guide to what tourists would like to do in our tiny country. Please dont give us charity - that money gets eaten up by corrupt politicians and ineffeciant charities... gives us money buy visiting us, spending money travelling around, buying local wares staying our hotels.. every penny and pound you spend with have a trickle down affect and will help those of looking to to bring more economic and social equality into the country!!

ok im almost done - i promise!! I need to give some safetyl warnings, ladies please cover yourselves up a little no need to go drape yourself in a hijab but bikini tops and mini's wont really make life easier for you - 88% of the population being muslim. It is preferable you go there with a few men for safety and keep the numbers of the british consulate, local doctors etc on you ALL the time. Avoid the chittagong hill tracts - home to indegenious people who want to separate from the country and can be pretty militant. Make sure you have arranged accomodation, transport + driver (lots of foriegn companies offeer these services) before you there. Be careful with possesions at all times you are in a crowded public area and dont be afraid of the people!! just smile, relax and soak everything in..!!

 

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