Bengal Art Lounge

Interested in art?
There is an art lounge in Gulshan 1, Dhaka.
It was quiet place where I could hear sounds my shoes making.

They have exibitation by theme, and the new exibitation come by times.

CD and books are also available

New exhibitation comes on Auguest 22, "Automated Subjectivity" by Mustafa Zaman and Rafiqul Shuvo.

The exhibition is composed of works on paper, collages, video works, installations and sculptures.

The exhibitation isn't big, but quite interesting.
The lounge is open for everyone, so please drop by if you come to Gulshan area.

<Automated Subjectivity>
Period : August 22-September 2, 2013
Time : 12.00-8.00 pm
Place : Bengal Art lounge(60 Gulshan Avenue, Circle 1)

Bengal Foundation
60 Gulshan Avenue, Circle 1, Dhaka
http://www.bengalfoundation.org/

Developing Homestay Program

Bangladesh tourism organization is promoting homestay program in village.
We went observation trip to some villages 2-3 hours from Dhaka.
As seeing paddy field and river from the car, 



We arrived at a village.

Going through path under green......

Found house!

Found well

Found children playing!

Besides the bridge, jute hung to dry



Besides the road, fodder to dry





Environment is good, but accommodation and facility are big concerns.

How do you think this room?

I think it's OK.







We also looked for activities for tourist.

It is play ground for sport club though totally seems farm.

You may play local game with kids. 

Or, experience jute processing?

School visit may be one option.



Children came out to see a foreigner!

Can you guess where is this?

This is a sweet shop.
We sat and tried some of sweets as offered.
I believed sweet is super sweet in Bangladesh, but not always in villages.
They use less sugar to save it.
I bought yogurt, and it tastes different! Yes, less sugar!
Bangladeshi co-worker told me what's special with stores in village.
"You will never find shop staff wearing no sleeve shirt and rungi" 
Definitely.

It was a full day trip.
I enjoyed very much seeing rural life and green.
Sky was beautiful......I didn't want to come back to Dhaka city.

As I hoped......
we couldn't get back until 10 pm because of traffic jam caused by an accident.

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Getting back to Dhaka (unfortunately), now the time to think how to implement the tour.


GOONG THE CASTLE

Occasionally, I visited fancy Korean restaurant in Dhaka.
Korean food seems more popular than Japanese.

Looks fancy place? Yes, it is.
Food is not cheap (at all), but quality is high.

Pumpkin poriddge and tomato decolated pretty were served.
Something not "mix all the stuff"!


Many kinds of namuls

Tuna kimbap (500tk)



Tofu Jjigae(550tk)



Gochu jabchae (1,300tk)



Fried Dumpling (500tk)



I especially like this dumpling.
Dip in soy sause, eat with rice.....incredible.

Pork Belly 200g (1,400tk)
Chicken bulgogi 300g (1,300tk)
Beef Brisket 200g (1,400tk)
Some stakes costs more than 500tk for 200g.....

We had cold noodle at last.We were full......and it costed 2000tk per person.
If you want to enjoy delicious food in relaxing place, this is one of your choices.
  
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GOONG THE CASTLE
Address ：House12B, Road50, Gulshan2, Dhaka
TEL：02-989-0259/017-8001-6161
Webpage：http://goongbd.com/

Eid Mubarak!

Eid Mubarak!
This is greeting for "Eid(Eid al-Fitr)", Islamic festival after Ramadan month.
August 8-19, 2013 were the holidays for Eid.
 
In Bangladesh, Muslims spend Eid holidays with their family, mostly in their home town.
(Therefore, there are less people in Dhaka, unusually!)
They buy new clothes, eat together, and chat.
 
In the day, I realized it was quieter than usual.
As I going out, found everything closed.

reminds me the morning of new year's day in Japan

Few cars and Rikshaw on the road!!
I am so sorry that I didn't take picture in usual days.


This picture is unbelievable, please be surprised.

They prepare sweet named "semai" for Eid morning.
As I walked, people greeted "Eid Mubarak", and called me to come in.
I ate shemai in several houses.


Brown color one is Semai. In the cup, milk semai


Even small girls wore make-up and new dress.
Painting on a girl right side is called "Henna", drawn by plant.

I also took a picture with my renter and his wife in new clothes.

But please give me a little more space.....!!

Festivals are found in many places.


 



But I spent the day to keep eating.
In the morning, I ate Semai.
I had lunch (Porao, chicken curry, e.t.c) in renter's home.
I had tea with them too, with Pita(baked cake made from rice), fruits and again semai.
I had dinner(Porao, chicken, beef and goat curry) with another Bengali's home.
The dinner was at 11p.m.
Surely, I took energy for 3 days in a day.

Eid is Muslim holiday.
However, I enjoyed the atmosphere, everyone wants to enjoy and eat together.

It will be inconvenient to travel this time because stores and transport are closed.
However, you will enjoy the air.
Just knock some one's door, and they will invite you to meal.

On August 11th, office opens.
I didn't fast, but what's this feeling of freedom?
Snack which I felt no need makes me happy!

 



I miss it!

Usual days are coming though there are still less poeple in Dhaka.
Ramadan and Eid were a big impact over the country!
How this Eid is important for Muslims, I got some idea, maybe.

Syhlet - Hotel (2) -

Sylhet hotel information 2, middle class hotels.

＜Hotel Dallas＞
As I visited, staff welcomed me, served drink, and talked.
Many Japanese use.
Middle class hotel with conference room must be convenient.
Bathroom seems clean.

Rooms looks good.

Except this strong color.

Is it only for me to think this purple is too much?

Red.....red......
I don't like strong red, but......anyway.

It's the view from the hotel.
What's so special?
You can see jail inside which is impossible to see from outside because of high wall.
If you are eager to see jail, please stay at Hotel Dallas.

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Hotel Dallas
Address ：North Jail Road, Sylhet
TEL：0821-720-945
Budget ：1000tk～
Webpage ：http://www.hoteldallassylhet.com/
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＜Hiltown Hotel＞
Sounds like "Hilton", but "Hiltown".

There are rooms which looks normal.....

and new.

Newly constructed parts and old parts seems quite different.
Of course, costs is different.
Rooms are available from 300tk, but picture above is 1800tk.

Restaurants looks modern.
I advise you to check and see a room before you decide.

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Hiltown Hotel
Address ：Vip road, Taltola, Sylhet
TEL：0821-716077/8263
budget ：300tk～(AC/850tk～)
Webpage ：http://hiltownhotel.wix.com/home
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＜Parjatan Motel＞
I have to refer to Parjatan Motel which my office, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation manages.
It is located 7 km away from city near the airport.
(It costs only 15tk if you take auto-Rikishaw)

Pass by the first tea garden, climb a hill, then you will find.

There is small path which allows you stroll.
Monkeys will be found in the morning and evening.
(surely you will find, there is a lot!)

This is AC room.

A little inconvenient place, but it is nice to stay on the hill away from noise in city.
Ummm....but still is 2000tk(with AC) expensive?

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Parjatan Motel
TEL：0821-712-426
Budget ：1300tk/2000tk(AC)
Webpage ：http://www.parjatan.gov.bd/
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＜SURMA VALLEY REST-HOUSE＞
The hotel wasn't easy to find because it is on the second floor of a building.

Reception, corridor and rooms seems clean and not darkish as maaany hotels and restaurants are in Bangladesh.

From bus or train station, cross a bridge, turn light.
You will find the hotel on the Council Complex's opposite side.
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SURMA VALLEY REST-HOUSE
Address ：Shahjalal Road, Sylhet
TEL：0821-712-671/680
Budget ：1450tk～1850tk
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