The small, precious things...
”What do you want?” “To Bangladesh?” This was probably the first reaction of all when we told them from our plan to travel through Bangladesh. But what we have experienced there that really floored not just ourselves, also have it inspired our family and friends. If one finds out about Bangladesh on the Internet – and we have done this enough – one reads of natural disasters, to forcible protests, poverty etc. Nevertheless, what Bangladesh is made of we might experience in an especially on us conformist 2 week tour. Our absolute highlights were the area around Srimangal and the Sundarbans.
The tea plantations in Srimangal, the juicy green of the hilly scenery, many women on the fields with her colored clothes, they the tea pick… was simply dreamlike. Above all in the evening hours at the sundown a quiet and romantic place for the relaxation. Another climax in this area was the city of Sylhet. Not only because of many, colorful markets along the streets, the mad swarm of the rickshaws, above all on account of the people. How should one describe them? Even more curiously, even more friendly and still interested than normal Bangladeshis are anyway already? If one liked to feel once like a star, would like to be in the limelight once and to be photographed from all aspects – then to Sylhet! Also the region around Tamabil and Jaflon on the Indian border is wonderful with his rivers, waterfalls and small hills and valleys. Here we have also made a small boat tour on the river from which hundreds of workers have got stones.
Beside the tea region in the Sundarbans we still travelled around. If one has stayed like us five weeks before travel beginning in Dhaka, one cannot understand at all how quietly it can be in Bangladesh. Only seven other tourists, we and the sleeping tiger! By our really clean and nice boat we have sailed during three days by the Sundarbans, supplied with the tastiest food (but keep the hands off the salad, small tip of us). Excursions with sloops to lonesome beaches and by narrow side arms have gone this ship trip so particularly. Has aroused enthusiasm to us the nature, the animal world, low tide and flood, the small fishing boats on the way and above all: there were no mosquitoes!
We could pass on forever however, it’s hard for us our feelings and impressions to couch in terms. Beside our principal destinations the small things have gone this trip so valuably. The fishing with otters, the wanderings by the rain forest (Lawachara National Park), spontaneous boat tours with fishermen, visits of villages where people live without electricity and fluently water and even though are so happy and, and, and…
It was our first backpack trip and our first stay in a developing country. Don’t forget the standard is not comparable with the European holiday destination of course, it’s a very poor country and this you will see it in every nook and corner and a lot understands and processes you really when you stay at home again. But… our trip dates back approx. two months now and nearly even daily Bangladesh is a subject. We remember incredibly with pleasure this exciting tour and sometime will come again to discover the rest of the country, absolutely.
Last but not least we thank of course Holger for frequent (!!) email contact, the great consultation and organization and his honest kind. And then of course our tour guide which has just moved the trip, as from us was desired and a great and kind companion was.
Vicky & Alexander (in December 2012)
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