Follow:
Topics:
Asia & Oceania Travel

Seven Boats, Three Days, One Rare Bangladesh

One for the record books – our visit to Bangladesh

Location: Bangladesh

Throw back Monday! Enjoy this one from a year ago once again. One of my favorite experiences.

We would not have normally come to Bangladesh, except the opportunity was here because our friend Natalie is a teacher in Dhaka.  I preach frequently the need to visit less tourism developed places – and yet am guilty of wanting to see places like the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, Table Mountain.

One rare Bangladesh

Beautiful Bangladeshi dancer

And so our decision to visit Bangladesh helped us make the leap to a place no one goes, except our friend Natalie.

We connected with Deshghuri Tours – one of a handful of tour companies catering to the few Westerners who come here, mostly Canadians, Germans and

One rare Bangladesh

Fort Lalbagh

Americans.  Because our time was short we booked a three-day tour with Deshghuri.  It’s difficult to see Bangladesh without a guide.  The cities are crowded and Dhaka is plagued with air pollution.  Driving here is, shall we say, daunting.  So a tour is a must.

Our first day was to see the densely packed city of Dhaka – home to 20 million people.  Bangladesh is the 8th most populous country in the world and

One rare bangladesh

At the beautiful mosaic mosque

Dhaka has a density of 23,234 people per square kilometer within a total area of 300 square kilometers.  We spent the day weaving in and out of traffic, but also enjoying getting in and out of the car to see some remarkable sites; mosques, temples, university, and the 600-year-old Lalbagh Fort that serves as a lovely oasis in the city.  It was here we really began to feel how unusual it is to have a westerner walking around Dhaka.  Bangladeshi

One rare bangladesh

From on board the Rocket Steamer looking at the busy port

stopped and gaped at us, some asking for selfies, others discreetly taking our photo without asking.  Very strange.

At the end of the day we arrived in Shadarghat, the steamer terminal and one of the busiest places in Dhaka (which is saying something).  Here we

One rare Bangladesh

Rocket Steamer

boarded our first of seven boats: the 100-year-old “Rocket” paddle wheeler that plies the waters of the Buriganga River.  These boats were, in their time, the fastest thing to ever hit these waters (thus the name), but today faster and more upgraded ferries provide service.  The Rocket continues to work however, and tours often include a night aboard these vessels for the “experience”.  It was definitely an experience as we were on one of the oldest and most worn down vessels.

On arrival in Barisal early the morning of day two of

One rare banhladesh

Nine dome mosque

our tour we were met by our new guide Ontu.  After breakfast we went by car three hours to Bagherhat, a UNESCO world heritage city and one of the most historic cities in Bangladesh. On the way to Bagherhat we rode a very small and crowded car ferry which is boat number two.   On reaching Bagerhat we toured three remarkable mosques, built in the 15th century!  All still in use today. Two of these mosques were a

One rare Bangladesh

80 dome mosque

remarkable architecture design of domes rather than minarets.  The first was a nine dome and the second was an 80 dome mosque.  Truly fascinating for the time period and in wonderful condition considering the climate and the years.

We continued by car to Mongla, where we boarded

One rare bangladesh

Crossing the river

boat number three:  a small wooden pirogue which we stood in to cross the very busy river.  On the other side we boarded boat number four, known as a country boat.  It was just the two of us with our guide and we sat back and enjoyed cruising the river on this small 20-foot boat.  We enjoyed a

One rare Bangladesh

The country boat

traditional Bangla lunch onboard, then went ashore at the Sundarban’s breeding sanctuary where we saw deer and crocodiles and walked the mangrove forest.

Back on the boat and back to Mongla where we

One are bangladesh

On the river

met the car, returned to Barisal (including car ferry-boat number five) and to our hotel in Barisal.  It had been a very amazing day.

Day three we were up early, and instead of car we were in a Tuk Tuk before the sun had risen, driving an hour from Barisal to the banks of the Shondha River. Here we would board boat number six, a long deep river dwelling vessel,  for what would turn out to be my favorite part of our

One rare Bangladesh

Floating vegetable market

tour.  Cruising through the backwater region of the Shondha we enjoyed the floating vegetable market as well as seeing the river people going about their daily life – scratching out an existence on and in

One rare Bangladesh

Meeting the friendly locals

the river.  The river is both highway and washing machine, bathtub and food source.  We got off the boat several times, including a visit to an ancient and scrabbled together Hindu village where the people were so kind and generous and interested in us.  When we tell them we are from

One rare Bangladesh

Meeting the locals

the United States they say it is their honor to have us in their country.  This is the Bangladeshi way – welcoming, kind and generous; even if they have nothing to give, they will offer you a cup of tea.

It was particularly interesting to me how astonished everyone – men, women and children – were with my white hair.  They found it fascinating and we felt like celebrities.  Very

One rare Bangladesh

Laundry

humbling experience.

We learned a lot about river life, about the kindness of strangers, about how important community is to this ancient way of life.  We learned about religion (Islam is the largest religion of Bangladesh; Muslims constitute over 90% of the population, while Hindus constitute 8.5% and Buddhists 0.6% are the most significant minorities of the country. Christians, Sikhs, animists and atheists form 1%), we learned about food, we learned about education.

One rare Bangladesh

River life

But mostly we learned about how much we take for granted.

Saying farewell to our boat driver we were back in the Tuk Tuk for the hour ride back to Barisal where

One rare Bangladesh

Iron workers at the market. They asked us to stay for tea.

we had time to tour the market before our departure.  The market was remarkable to me mostly because not a single tourist item was there.  This was perhaps the most authentic market I have been to (except for Ethiopia and Burkina Faso).  In fact I have not even been able to find a postcard in this country – a sign of how small the tourism

One rare Bangladesh

Beautiful Bangladesh

industry is here.

We said goodbye to our wonderful guide and boarded a river ferry, faster and more modern than the Rocket, for the overnight return to Dhaka. Boat number seven.

Seven boats, three days, one rare Bangladesh.  I’ll not forget my time here.  Unique, remarkable, rewarding and above all, humbling.

 

Previous Post Next Post

You may also like

38 Comments

  • Reply Debra Sidor Tanner

    I can’t tell you I would want to visit here…..but I so enjoyed what you wrote. It is no doubt some place I SHOULD go…..that I might learn “grateful”.

    January 30, 2018 at 11:28 pm
    • Reply Laureen

      It is really incredible. Thanks for reading.

      January 31, 2018 at 12:46 am
  • Reply Nicola

    Thank you for sharing your Bangladesh trip. You’re right, no one thinks of this country when it comes to tourism, I never considered visiting too. I was smiling at the thing with your white hair. It must have been a great experience to meet the locals and feel their hospitality. This is what I love most when traveling.

    February 3, 2018 at 6:56 am
  • Reply Karen

    Love the idea of a place with no tourists and no tat. I hope it keeps its authenticity.

    February 3, 2018 at 6:57 am
  • Reply Rhiannon

    Looks like you had a wonderful time and an interesting experience 🙂

    February 3, 2018 at 10:50 am
  • Reply Nicky

    I’ve always wanted to visited Bangladesh – my best friend at school was from there, and she used to tell me about what it was like out in the quieter parts of the country and how she could spot tigers in the wild. Sadly I lost contact with her when she moved back to Bangladesh, but I’d love to visit someday and see the things she described!

    February 3, 2018 at 12:26 pm
  • Reply Carmelatte

    Seems like a great story <3
    http://carmelatte.co/wedding-yacht-dubai-find/

    February 3, 2018 at 12:48 pm
  • Reply Candice

    I almost went to Bangladesh 25 years ago when I was travelling but didn’t make it. Loved reading about it. Although having seen that rocket steamer I understand why there are so many ferry disasters in Bangladesh, it looks like it’s on its last legs!

    February 3, 2018 at 5:09 am
    • Reply Laureen

      It was, to say the least, a wee antiquated. But we survived!

      February 3, 2018 at 5:40 am
  • Reply Alice

    I never thought about travelling to Bangladesh but after this article I will research more. Your photos are looking good and it looks like you had an amazing experience.

    March 17, 2018 at 11:49 am
    • Reply Laureen

      It was a most incredible experience. Not for the faint of heart but I loved it!

      March 17, 2018 at 10:50 pm
  • Reply Alexander Popkov

    The rocket steamer 🙂 Looks so cool. As an engineer, I like seeing old pieces of technology, that are still in work. Can I get to know more about it somewhere?

    March 17, 2018 at 12:52 pm
  • Reply Ajay

    Though I live in India, Bangladesh for most of us has never been on the travel list , particularly because it is not considered a tourist destination. After reading this, I have a totally different impression now and might make a plan to visit the country soon !! Thanks for sharing

    March 17, 2018 at 2:52 pm
    • Reply Laureen

      I was a bit fearful but I am so very glad we went!! Thanks for your comment.

      March 17, 2018 at 10:49 pm
  • Reply Teja

    Some of the best stories come from places you never had any intention to visit 🙂 Ever since I went to Nepal, I have begun to wonder about the countries where the other kind of ‘expats’ to my country come from – the ones who come to labour at the lower ends of the workforce. Bangladesh is one of those countries. Typically we Malaysians are overly enamoured with the origin countries of the other end of ‘expats’.

    March 18, 2018 at 4:07 am
    • Reply Laureen

      A great observation. And truly my visit to Bangladesh helped broaden my world knowledge and understanding. A wonderful experience.

      March 18, 2018 at 4:58 am
  • Reply Alex Trembath

    What an adventure! I would love to visit Bangladesh. I’ve never seen anything quite like the Rocket before! Must have been an experience to take a trip on it.

    March 18, 2018 at 5:19 am
    • Reply Laureen

      Worth the effort and an eye opening mind blowing experience.

      March 18, 2018 at 7:39 am
  • Reply Hannah Vu

    OMG Bangladesh is such an incredible place to visit!Thank you for sharing your amazing adventure. Reading this post makes me feel as if I am going on such an adventure. Love this post so much!

    March 18, 2018 at 4:27 pm
    • Reply Laureen

      It was amazing. Thanks for reading!

      March 18, 2018 at 8:25 pm
  • Reply elizabeth

    Loved reading this post, I have not been to Bangladesh, but it is on my list, as I have read several articles recently on the country. I love your photography captures you shared and it looks like you had an incredible adventure there.

    March 19, 2018 at 2:13 pm
    • Reply Laureen

      Thank you. It was surprisingly one of my favorite experiences.

      March 19, 2018 at 9:00 pm
  • Reply Claire

    Bangladesh has never really been on my list but it looks like a great place to explore! So many beautiful sights!

    March 19, 2018 at 5:25 pm
    • Reply Laureen

      Lol. It wasn’t on my list either! So glad I went.

      March 19, 2018 at 9:01 pm
  • Reply Denny George

    I’ve been visiting Bangldesh over the past few years on work. There are many westerners in Dhaka, a few working in social development and others in the garment industry, but it is the first time I’m hearing of western tourists in Bangladesh. The country does have a few surprises up its sleeve, including the tea gardens of Sylhet, Sunderbans (where you seem to have visited), historic sites in Dhaka, hills of Chittagong, Cox Bazaar beach etc., but not many people outside the country know of them.

    March 20, 2018 at 10:27 am
    • Reply Laureen

      Yes and the people are friendly and interesting. So glad we went!

      March 20, 2018 at 11:33 am
  • Reply Laureen

    Thanks. I felt the same but sure glad I went!

    March 21, 2018 at 8:13 pm
  • Reply Moimehr

    Finally! I get to read something about our immediate neighbour. Before you begin to think I am an Indian, and I live in Calcutta. So Bangladesh is like our next door neighbour. It’s so nice to read about your experiences there and I am inspired to plan a trip there soon. Loved your eighty dome picture and the floating markets. Since we speak Bangla in Kolkata, it will be much easier for us to communicate there. So I can have all the fun you had and no language barrier.

    March 22, 2018 at 7:49 am
    • Reply Laureen

      Ahh thank you! Do go. We enjoyed it! And our tour operator was excellent!

      March 22, 2018 at 8:29 am
  • Reply Nathan

    I totally understand how you feel about wanting to go to off-the-beaten-track destinations but also yearning to visit those popular tourist spots – I guess people like us just want to see it all and that is what fuels our passion to travel. Bangladesh looks like an amazing place to travel, and one good thing about such underrated travel destinations is that you have the entire place to yourselves!

    March 22, 2018 at 1:33 pm
  • Reply Liz

    I`m 65 and seriously considering doing a 7 day trip with the same tour company. I hope you don`t mind me asking a few questions! Did you at any time feel unsafe for any reason? Should women wear head coverings? Did you get bitten by mosquitoes whilst on the boats? Which boat did you like most and which least? Thank you in advance for your reply and any thoughts you might offer to a fellow `older` traveller!

    May 11, 2018 at 8:05 pm
    • Reply Laureen

      Hi. Sorry for the delay but I have been a cruise without WiFi. The company we used which is linked in the blog was great. I was traveling with my husband. We never felt unsafe. I’m sure there are certain times of the year when mosquitos can be a problem, but it was winter when we were there and not too hot. I only wore head dress when we went into the mosque but it’s not necessary everywhere.

      May 14, 2018 at 4:56 am
  • Reply Liz

    Thank you so much for your advice Laureen. I have booked a 8 day 7 night tour departing at the end of October so I hope the weather will not be too hot! May I ask one more question please? Should I bring my own mosquito net (we spend 3 or 4 nights on boats) or is one provided? I`ve seen `pop up` mosquito nets for sale – so no need for hangings. Do you think I should consider taking one? Sorry so many questions! I am very grateful for your help. Liz

    May 15, 2018 at 7:32 pm
    • Reply Laureen

      I would bring one just to be safe.

      May 19, 2018 at 12:29 am
  • Reply Liz

    Many thanks!

    May 20, 2018 at 7:07 am
  • Reply Anja

    I am going to work in Dhaka in a few weeks and I am definitely concerned how it will be as I will not live some fancy part of Dhaka and my greatest fear is air pollution which I will not be able to get away from. So I try to read as much Bangladesh content as possible. However, the Bangladeshi people I have dealt with so far are nothing but friendly and helpful so I probably should not be too worried! THank you for sharing this report, only found it by chance, it should rate much higher on Google!

    October 7, 2023 at 1:26 am
    • Reply Laureen

      Awesome. You are so kind. We had an amazing experience. I hope it goes well for you!!!

      October 7, 2023 at 1:30 am

    Leave a Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.