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Published: January 5th 2009
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On the Chotolbari
Life along the river Yes, another trip to BD (6th to 23rd December 08). Started from Dhaka and boat to Barisal on the "Sunderban 7" launch, a mighty river boat with people everywhere from the deck to the roof ! In Barisal this time i stayed in the Athena Hotel, cleaner than the Hotel Ali International and only three minutes walk from the latter ! I went to different villages, first to Bolohar and Boliarkathi, small villages, tranquil and inviting. Then to Borakotha, another village and this time went by boat. To reach there we crossed the Sandha river (Sandha means evening : thanks Mahmud !) and went along a smaller river, the Chotolbari canal ! It was a very nice boat-trip and seeing life along the Chotolbari with people waving and smiling ... ! Just imagine !
Also visited Morakathi, Kalihata, Bamrail and another smaller villages . All with welcoming and curious people. Also made another trip along the Kirtonkhola river, 2 hours on the roof of the boat, just great ! After Barisal i planned to go to Chittagong by boat, so i went to Barisal Sadarghat to check out the boat. Normally there are no passenger boat but a polyvalent one
Chittagong
A view from Hotel Golden Inn roof top with some cabins and cargo. But i did not "feel" the boat so did not do it. Instead i went back to Dhaka by launch, this time on the "Kalam-Khan". The trip took around nearly 14 to 15 hours instead of 7 hours because of thick fog. We had to stop at night and in the morning we hit another forthcoming boat. Fortunately both boats were going dead slow because of the fog and no damages noted !
So i made the route to Chittagong (CTG) by bus, it was a VIP bus, a chair coach as they say in BD, with A/C full blast even in winter and it was really cold ! Trip took around 7 hours and when finally arrived to CTG i was glad (to reach) and deceived also. Chittagong was dirty and smelly. In all my running around in BD, seeing many places and villages i did not like only Chittagong. Stayed there only two days and from there i went to visit the ship-breaking yards. Its not easy to go in there but i managed to get in with the help of an english speaking guide who did all his best to find
Cox's Bazar
Bangladeshi holidayers... a way in ! We had an escort of three other guys with us all the time but it was great and that compensated my dislike of CTG. Would you want to visit the yards, just email me and i'll send the guide's details. I also caught an infection in CTG, which strenghten my dislike for that city, but i had a first aid kit that came in handy !
From CTG i took a public bus to go to Cox Bazar (CXB), 4 hours trip more. Walked around looking at the hotel prices and rooms and finally settled for one on Kalatoli road. Same night i was nearly robbed ! See the details on the BD thread on the Thorn Tree, Lonelyplanet.com site. There's a link for the thief's photo there also. The next day i checked out and went to another hotel...
The placed i liked the most in CXB was the fishing port. Its just a few metres away from the CXB airport. It a magnificent place with fishing boats that look like pirates boat even with the blak flag !!! Humming with activity with a wide variety of fish, rays and prawns !
CXB fishing port
Preparing to leave for a fishing campaign People discharging the fishing boats, cleaning the boats, selling and buying or simply watching. Unfortunately i did not have enough time or i would have gone along with one of the numerous boats for a fishing trip !
Before leaving for CXB i bought a train ticket for Dhaka departing from CTG. So i had to take a bus from CXB back to CTG where i have a train to catch. But arriving at the bus stand in CXB i changed my mind and bought a ticket direct to Dhaka thus losing the train ticket i already paid for. Trip took more than 11 hours with the driver horning like mad. On the 11 hours trip to Dhaka i think he spent more than 5 hours horning, no joke !
Next day in Dhaka i bought an english newspaper and read an interesting article ! The day before a goods train from Dhaka to CTG derailed and blocked the railway. All trains have been stranded and also the train i was supposed to travel with. It was stranded till late night. Coincidence or karma ?
Days have gone by and there was only three days left before i had to return back home. Spent these days walking around in Lalbagh and Azimpur and doing some shopping. In Farmgate area i walked along the railway tracks. Along the tracks people live in slums. Low houses made of rattan or plastic. People there are so poor that while walking there i asked myself if i should be walking there ! I did not even think to shoot photos of this poverty, it hurts ! Its indescriptible ! This is Bangladesh !
Finally, trip ended, i took a CNG (a tuktuk) to the airport. It costed one quarter of the taxi fair paid when i arrived earlier ... ! In the departure hall of Zia airport there is free internet offered by Grameenphone. But connection is very slow.
The end...
Many photos uploaded here :
http://picasaweb.google.com/reallonerunner
The thief report on the TT / LP :
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=1714662&tstart=0
PS Any info you might need, and details you want me to give or any questions just email me on reallonerunner@gmail.com.
PPS A big thanks to Mahmud who has good advices and helpful tips : Thank you Mahmud and keep it up !
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asharif110
Ahmed Sharif
Nice tour.......
You sure had a great experience...... some nice photos accompanied by some really nice words..... keep it up!!