Short notice trip to Bangladesh. Random questions
Replies: 14 - Last Post: Nov 13, 2012 12:34 PM Last Post By: zoltan
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Short notice trip to Bangladesh. Random questions
Posted on indian subcontinent thread by mistake so reposting here.Hi all. I am coming to Bangladesh on very short notice. I arrive in Dhaka next Wednesday eve( 14th November) for three weeks and i have some questions
Malaria, do i need to take Anti Malarial? I might head into the CHT area which seems to be an area of risk. If i need them, can i pick up something in neither Singapore or Dhaka without prescription?
I am a photographer and obviously have gear which i am keeping to one bag which i anticipate carrying all the time. Any significant security issues. My normal area of work is Latin America so i tend to be somewhat paranoid.
Hotel in Dhaka. I have narrowed to Tropical daisy/Hotel Pacific/royal palace and White house. Any thoughts on these?
I will probably head south first then go north in the second week and would like to take the Rocket. Mahmud, can you help me figure this one out.
Many thanks in advance.
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Hi, thanks for coming BD.- Malaria : Except some hill cities (Rangamati, Bandarbans) whole Bangladesh is Malaria free. So, if you dont go inside hills, no need to take vaccines.
- Secority : In General Bangladesh is a safe area than some neighbouring coutries specially for the foiregners. Because here foreigners treated as Guest and police is also very serious about them. So, usually pick pockets also avoid foreigners.
Just follow the basic security rule (Avoid dark places, lonely streets) you will be fine here.
- Hotels : I found Tropical daisy expensive. Better you stay Hotel Rajmoni Ishakha, Royal Palace. In these hotels you will get good rooms with USD 25/30
For some hotel recommendation, please visit the page : http://www.trip2bangladesh.com/hotel-recommendation/
2
Itinerary : Based on your photography I can suggest to proceed as under :Dhaka and surroundings : 3 days.
Rocket steamer, Barisal, bagerhut, Khulna : 5 days.
Rajshahi, Naote, Dinajpur, Rongpur : 10 days.
Chittagong & Rangamati l tract : 4 days
Srimongol : 2 days.
I think if you plan with above suggested area, you will be able to take a nice photographic tour in BD.
If you need any more specific info, feel free to ask here.
Mahmud
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Malaria, do i need to take Anti Malarial? I might head into the CHT area which seems to be an area of risk. If i need them, can i pick up something in neither Singapore or Dhaka without prescription?
For such a short journey, you may find it easier to just bring some repellant and use a "Good Knight" plug in burner for the hotel room. Something like doxycycline should be taken for at least 2-days prior to departure and, for a minimum 4-weeks upon return from an infected region.
I am a photographer and obviously have gear Any significant security issues. My normal area of work is Latin America so i tend to be somewhat paranoid.
As Mahmud indicates, the risk of theft in Bangladesh is very low. I take a bit of equipment with me and got to the stage of not being paranoid. People will be interested in you because you are a foreigner, not because you have photographic equipment.
I will probably head south first then go north in the second week and would like to take the Rocket.
I took the rocket to Khulna - there's not a lot at that end of town. I'd be suggesting that you head down to the terminus and then come back again (on the rocket if you choose to). It's a very relaxing journey.
As far as photographic opportunities, there's a lot of things to focus on.
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Mahmud and Zoltan, thanks a lot, great info.Mahmud, like your suggestions but i figured i would go south first to shoot fishermen on the beach in places like coxs and st martin and also visit the CHT area. Of course i think this because i need a lot of time to book the rocket, at least two weeks advance maybe. How much advance do i need for the rocket, maybe both ways?
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twjthornton, for taking photos of real fisherman, you can consider to travel Kuakata. Kuakata is 100 kilometer south from Barisal and takes 4-5 hours by bus. You will pass 4 ferries in this route which you also enjoy. Lots of photo opportunities in this area.Please see some photos of mine as I visited Kuakata end of last month. : https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151235541774785.477941.721844784&type=3
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i really can recommend hotel Purbani in Old Dhaka, its about 38 dollars , but with internet,wifi, and aircon, they change money and its a good location, friendly staff. it has a little bit run down rooms but this does not really matter.Kuakata is a real great place to go, take a launch to barisal and continue by bus, its 6 hours from barisal but a great trip,
in kuakata go to hotel sea view, its near the last "intersection" before the beach to the left, they have a huge balcony with a great view. 1 big room on first floor , i paid 450 taka last summer .
1 hour motorbike with driver should cost you not more than 200 taka , locals pay less, but you are a tourist. the area around kuakata is stunning.
check my website and my flickr photos.
happy travels
13
hi, i tried a few shipbreaking yards, they all refused entry, i went through a riverbed (very muddy, a disaster mud area, but this was they place to enter, had to climb a wall and started walking towards the beach , lots of kids and fishermen so i was not unseen there. i did not climb up ships or so, but i came very close,maybe 50 meters away. it was friday and not much activity going on. i had a 300mm lens,i made lots of pictures but havent uploaded yet.the place was 18km from chittagong train station (think its called fauderzabhat)a autotuktuk costs 300 taka up there , but as the guy had to wait for me and i came back so dirty and on the way back he stopped at all the second hand stores i gave him 1000 taka, that made him very happy
the walk to the beach is very long ,so bring some water
good hotel in chittagong is hotel paramount international ,straight opposite train station, no need to walk too far. beware the escalator gets stuck sometimes, but restarts after 5 minutes....
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I had the fortune of being at the breaking yards with Mahmud on one occasion and his brother on another occasion. They managed to get me into the yards so I could take photos and, talk with some of the workers.I found that the area is rife with mercury, lead, fiberglass and possibly asbestos, all leeched from the ships.
Having seen up close, the condition of the "sand", I'd be loathe to walk in the water (I was originally given an option of walking into a ship to see it being dismantled but it didn't eventuate).
It's a fascinating area and as nowornever indicates, going there on a Friday will be more likely to get you into the areas without being asked to leave. It's the sabbath and most of the bosses will leave their workplace.
It's also easier to get in if you have a guide to take you through.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8449215@N05/5682177395/in/set-72157626635958850
