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Published: November 3rd 2015
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Another week-end, and another blog written in a lounge waiting for a plane. But this time I've been too busy the last 48 hours, so writing this in Bangkok, on my way to Congo. I told you, it's a small world...and it's going to be golfing from one week-end to the next. I have to admit, you can party all over the world, but I'm sure Bangladesh and Congo don't come high on your partying list....till....these week-end are really amazing!
Why Dhaka for the week-end? You know I like to venture out...and today, East of India, the only two countries I hadn't visited are North Korea and Bangladesh. I have no intention of spending a single cent to support the mass murdering North Korean regime...and I will never sign a paper saying that I will only blog nicely about an idiot who run that place! My freedom comes before my wish of travelling. That said....if the North Korean regime collapsed....we can only hope, I'll be the next week visiting the country! So this to clarify, I still had Bangladesh on my list!
Dhaka is only a two hours flight from Bangkok, so I'd better do
it before I move out of Asia! Original plan was to fly in, stay at the Westin, play golf, and get out while trying to see something. That was before I had a lunch with my friend Alberic in Lubumbashi last month who asked...so where next...told him Dhaka...and he told me he had to put me in touch with Stephane! I tell you, it's a small world! So I'm contacting Stephane to get infos on how to find a decent taxi to the Westin from the airport...trying to avoid the inflated prices...
So this week-end ended up being an amazing one, thanks to my great hosts, Estelle and Stephane. I'm going to come back on this wonderful week-end...but first a little warning for potential visitors to Dhaka. Bangladesh is independent since 1971, when they won their independence to Pakistan. The country is a good 95% Muslim...and yes, the Islamic State is making moves here too. Few bombs have killed people the last few weeks, and a Japanese and one Italian have been gunned down the past 5 weeks, claimed by the Islamic State. So caution is important, and you should not venture carefree anywhere at any time
of the day. Don't forget, we only live once, so staying safe helps!
Stephane had organized for Mynul to pick me up at the airport and showed me around town, even venturing outside of Dhaka to visit the countryside. It's a Friday, so the official day off the week...way less traffic. They have rickshaws all over the place....and the local tuktuk are pretty impressive too. Here, people are everywhere, and once you reach the outskirts of Dhaka, you found out that smiles are all over the place. Bangladesh may be a seriously poor country, the people here are more than welcoming....welcoming you first with a smile!
We spent hours driving around. You will enjoy some of the pictures. The sky was pretty cloudy as it is the start of winter here....I'm sure the place would be way better under a blue sky! I was ready for way more chaos than what we experienced, but don't forget, it was Friday!
Friday evening, Estelle and Stephane hosted a dinner with their close friends, locals and expat. This was the opportunity for me to learn a lot more about the country and to meet
fascinating people...no pictures here, but I had a wonderful evening!
Saturday morning, waking up early, direction, Kurmitola Golf Club. This is THE international standard golf club in Bangladesh, own and run by the army. Don't forget, the British were here, and they left a pretty amazing international competition level course. We play with two Generals. Point to note....Generals are not the funniest people to play with! The golf was gorgeous...I could have play well if we had stopped at the nine! Feel good to be in the par after 7 holes with 2 birdies....the caddies enjoyed the ride...than I woke up to my normal simple mortal week-end player...but what a place!
Few more things to discover before going back home. Time to have few great chats with new friends!
Thanks a lot Estelle and Stephane for this warm welcome....awaiting your visit in Bangkok and to host you in early 2016!
Bangladesh done....next stop....Congo...next blog in three weeks...back in Asia....it's a small world...we live only once...and stay safe!
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Nice photo