Bangladesh

In 12 hours time, I’ll be landing in Bangladesh.

I’ll be in Dhaka, finding my way between these Bangladeshi.

I’ll take my main mission in Dhaka as to capture some interesting life sight.

Airport?
The Zia airport. Review from http://www.sleepinginairport.net/ says that the airport is like “Fall of Saigon or one of those 1980s movies set in southeast Asia where half the population is trying to flee the country during a coup”. So? Take care.

Hotel?
There are not many choices. Hopefully will be staying in Sheraton, where reviews says its much better than the Pan Pacific due to recent renovation. They also said that when they say 5 stars, do not compare with 5 stars in other country, its Bangladesh after all. So? Expect the worst. Even better, should stay at Radisson Water Garden Hotel at Airport Road.

Places of Interest
Nothing much of interest from my research, except for the famous fort? The museum? Dhaka University? Ok, maybe some shopping for Sari? Shalwar Kameez? And their famous pink pearl.

Food?
Curry, curry and CURRY ! Even their Chinese restaurant serves curry. An aunt who had visit Bangladesh requested “help me to go to market buy some cabbage”. What’s so special bout their cabbager? “Its HUGE and crunchy!” Oh, but why does Bangla has such nice cabbager? “Its imported from China!”. Laugh.

Traffic?
Expect bad traffic. The roads will be a mess of human and ‘tu-tu’ cars, trishaws and man-pulled carts/lorries. How bad? My aunt said that it took her 2 hours for a 5 km ride.

Currency?
RM 1 = 18 Taka

Tips: Do not try to give money to beggars. Drink only mineral water because all water is contaminated. Use mineral water to brush teeth.

What else to expect?
Generally, expect polluted air (get your mask ready), Bad traffic (human traffic), insects and flies, and lots of Bangladeshi. Expect flood during raining seasons. If the water level raise by 1m, 10% of Bangladesh is flooded. So, most of the time the city is in water.

Oh ya, forgot to mention, my official mission there will be to interview some workers to work in Malaysia. Heard that for them to come to work in Malaysia, one have to pay RM8-9k to the agent. Meaning, the whole family will have to sell their paddy field, their house, their everything for one of their family member to come work here in Malaysia. Pity.

Also, this trip will be FOC fully sponsored by the agent. Air ticket alone cost RM1.6k per person including airport taxes. Fly by MAS.

BYE.