BANG-BANG! ladesh

Have a look at the view from out guesthouse. There were only 5 rooms, 3 of which were occupied by our group.

We even had coconuts on our tree, see there?

First thing in the morning we went to rent bikes at the place what was also a rickshaw art center

And the adventure began! Kids would see us on the other side and thenl run along the river shouting “bye” or “hi”

And what do we see around? Rice fields, people working hard, goats and very very nice people.

I was trying to pet a goat and first this lady (you see her white fingers, that’s for that green leaf, paan, that is also why she has such teeth) was helping me to catch one and then the boys brought me this guy

On the bikes we got to the wetlands where we were taken on a boat ride

  It was very quite, very beautiful and very hot.

We had our lunch at one of the fisherman’s house. They are six brothers living together and the family is considered to be pretty wealthy. The house was built very recently. And yes, in Bangladesh you eat with your hands (unless you are in the western parts).

I like their ‘wardrobe’.

Here are our bikes standing by the house. They were very heavy

The kids were of course very excited and there was a lot of picture taking and staring

Here is a D&G shirt (says Made in Italy)

I think I mentioned before that one doesn’t have to be a professional photographer to take great pictures. A better camera would help though

In the city I stopped by the bamboo stall to buy a traditional Bangla hat and made a friend

After 10 minutes by the stall we got some attention (just on one side!)

On the way from the village we also found a little kitten on the road and kept her. She really loved the hat 🙂

Next stop — seven layer tea. Tasted and smelled like cocoa in my kindergarden

Look inside any street — people sewing

Of course some real tea

And the train back.

A couple of pineapples for a ride (15 take each, e.g. 15 euro cents)

A rare albino person

And our friends seeing us off. They are great.

Here is a video of the tea gardens we were passing by on the way back and the interior od the train (obviously, high class)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVMrDh4MMyo

Second day in Sreemangal started with a hike through the tropical forest at one of the national parks.

There was a heavy rain early in the morning and our route looked like this

It was beautiful and very hot. But very beautiful. Only one thing was bothering us a lot. A LOT. Many leeches. Many-many leaches crawling up the shoes into the shoes, getting into the ankles, feet and legs. In the middle of the walk I really freaked out when I realised that my socks were soaked not in my sweat, but my blood from the leeches that I was pulling out of my shoes.

Because it was a weekend, there were plenty of school groups in the park. We were popular, but the nice thing about it is that you can also stare back at them and take photos.

After the hike and the leech stress we had a snack — a half of a pineapple and a half of apapaya . This is a 40 taka snack, or 40 euro cents.

The next destination was a pottery village. Here is a village lady cleaning the rice from the dust

This is the rice before the shell has been peeled

Many cows and excited small kids

They love looking at the pictures that were taken

Then each of us took a pottery class from a very patient and nice man

And got a piggy bank as a souvenir

People are beautiful and very nice. This lady gave me a little piece of a mango bar with some spices — very typical snack.

And remember I was complaining that nobody was smiling back in Old Dhaka? I am taking my words back.

Our guide was a member of an association that is supported by some American NGO. He is promoting eco tourism in Dhaka and half of the money they are earning is being spent on the street kids. That day one of the boys had a “birthday”. In Bangladesh there are no compulsory birth certificates at the birth, some people often get it only when they take their high school exams. For that reason many people, especially ladies, have the birth year in their birth certificates that is a few years later than their real year of birth. With the street kids it is even more complicated. For this reason they just appoint a date for every kid. This boy was turning 14-15 years old, nobody new it more precise. But to me he looked much younger. When we met him the next day on the streets of Sreemangal, he was riding a rickshaw. Our guide told me that he was a drug addict, but they helped him and also got him a rickshaw, so he is working now and visiting their free school for the street kids.

There was a candle and a cake. I told him not to forget to make a wish and through our guide he said that his wish was to become a carpenter.

There were many people at this celebration.

And also some music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xYlz6ksUAU&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd53haUoUVc&feature=youtu.be

Here is Gulam

It was overwhelming.

On the 3rd of May there was a public holiday in Bangladesh and I decided to go to Sreemangal for a long weekend. Sreemangal is here

And it is famous for its tea.

You see how optimistic google is saying that it only takes 3,5 hours to drive there from Dhaka? Well, we rented a mini bus and it took as about 6 hours. Right. 180 km in almost 6 hours.

Our adventure started with a visit to the tea gardens. See the mountains far away? It is India.

Usually women collect tea leaves — there should be two leaves and a bud — because they are more gentle. Men also help, usually with what needs to be done with the ground and other hard work. This is one of the guys

He showed us this lovely shy plant. Look what it does when you touch it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95Rn2AQ7Ss4&feature=youtu.be

The lotus lake was absolutely stunning

We met the sunset there as well

Looking for some fruit we visited the market after.

You can buy fresh fish

Or dry fish

Or more dried fishMaybe some more?

Another awesome view

This is what tobacco actually looks like (big dried leaves).

Of course bananas and something like plantains

And chickens right beside it

We finished the day with a visit to a local cinema to watch 10 minutes of this Bangladeshi movie. It was hilarious.

Two more days to come!