Cox's Bazar (2) -Maheshkhali Island-

Maheshkhali Island is located 6km away from Cox's bazar.
Though it is an island, it's not so inconvenient since speed boats go and come frequently.
Many Rakhain tribe lives in the island.

Close to the port in Cox's Bazar, there is a fish market.
Before you go to Maheshkhali island, please drop by the market at first.
Make sure to visit in the morning.

Many kinds of fishes are here and there.

 Looks......a bit weird.

Then, people separate one kind of fishes to another.

Shrimps!

Boat is filled with fish.
Impressive.......is it possible to catch this much fishes everyday???
People threw fishes into cane basket and brought to that market.

 Do you know what the guy is carrying on van?

Huge ice.

Ice is crashed into small pieces and kids spread it over fishes. 
Going through this process.....fishes go to all over the country!

So now, let's go to Maheshkhali island.
Speed boat costs 75tk for one way.

It took......about 30 minutes, I guess.(but not really remember)

 

As you arrive, you will find a bridge and Rikshaw waiting for passengers.
"Rikshaw? Rikshaw?"
"It's far, take Rikshaw!"

Rikshaw pullers were coming to me one after another.....the island is tourist place.
I knew it was walking distance and I wanted to walk with seeing view.

So...take a deep breath, shouted
"Amar Rikshaw lagbe na!!!(I don't need Rikshaw)"
They were a bit surprised and laughed.
Still some tried to talk to me, but other Rikshaw puller stopped him
"No, she doesn't need."
If you feel bothered, you can try this way.

Walking into city......

There are a Hindi temple and a Buddhist temple in the island.
To go to temples....I needed Rikshaw.
40tk for one way, it takes about 20 minutes.

There is long stair to go up to a temple.
Beside the stair, Rakhain people were selling their products.

Especially, this scarf is unique.
Weaved with thick wool, good for winter.
Some scarf has 2 colors in front side and back side.
A volunteer who lives in Cox's bazar said he saw this product only in this place.
It costs 200-300tk.
Very cheap.
And a vendor is very cute.(though she didn't give smile to camera!)

Going up to stair...

Scenery is good...
I realized the island is quite big.

Afternoon, it was at the ebb.

With blue sky, beautiful scenery.
Not so many things to see in the island, but it is better to leave in early time because wave could be high in the evening.

Cox's Bazar(1) -Burmise Market-

Leaving Chittagong and going through bad condition road for 5 hours....finally came to Cox's Bazar where people say one of the best resorts in Bangladesh.
A JICA volunteer who lives in Cox's Bazar showed me around and took care of me well during my stay.
Every time someone comes, he shows them around Cox's bazar and takes restaurant...e.t.c.....so he is kind of professional.

Let's start with Burmise market.
Many products from Myanmar are available in Cox's Bazar, especially at Burmise market.
There are products of hill area tribes too.
The market is quite different from Bangladshi markets.
Very unique.

Design and taste are different.

 

It looks nice....but people may stare at me if I wear it in Dhaka.

This is a shop which sells snacks from Myanmar.
You will find many interesting things.

Guess what it is?

Pickles of "tree".
Tree?
Yes, tree.......tree, which is plant.
It was...........sour.

I bought small packages of nuts for souvenir.
It is very hard but tasty.
Why don't you get some for souvenir or for your jaw exercise?

One more thing you have to try in Cox's Bazar is Burmise noodle.
However, it is available at specific places where you won't find by yourself.
A bit difficult to explain direction, but try to give direction here.....

At first, go to Burmise market by main road.
If you come from main city, you will find a path before bus station on your left side.
(the beginning of Burmise market)

 

Right side is as below picture shows.

 

Turn left, go straight.
There is a gate at the end of the road.

Then, go through the gate.....you will find Burmise noodle place at the corner of garden.

There are 2 kinds of noodles.
One with soup and one without soup.
I and the volunteer ordered different kinds.

This is soup.
Broth is made from fish....

 This is one with soup.(20tk)

It doesn't taste "Bangladesh".
Not spicy, but very mild taste with tasty fish soup.

Another is without soup(25tk).
Noodle is mixed with sauce, served with the soup.

I liked the one without soup more.
Noodle with sauce was good, and I liked texture too.
I wish it was available in Dhaka......then I would have eaten everyday.(till I am bored, maybe)

Most of Japanese love this noodle, but him.
However every time someone comes to Cox's Bazar, he takes them to this place and eats noodle together.
So he has it quite often.
Thank you for accompanying me!

Burmise market where you can find different taste of Bangladesh...let's enjoy unique atmosphere.

Asian Tourism Fair, 2014

3rd Asian Tourism Fair is held now in Dhaka at Bangabandhu International Conference Center(BICC).
It starts from September 11th and continues till 13th.

Of course, our Bangladesh Tourism Corporation is attending the fair.
Seems too quiet?
No, it is just before opening hour.

 Stall for Bangladesh Tourism Board which is another government organization.

There are many stalls for travel agencies, hotels, and airlines.
Don't you have any plan for trip?

*For some reason....the man stopped in middle way while I was waiting. So, is in picture.

"Fantasy Kingdom"!
There is a theme park in Ashulia.....I didn't know this.
A bit curious..........

Not only domestic information, but also tourist information for other countries is available.
Malaysia has a huge stall.

They were prepring tea at a counter.

 China!

Sri Lanka, India, Bhutan.
(Stall for Bhutan wasn't ready....will be!)

Cultural program will be held along with the event.

Check details below!

<Programme>
Sep.11th
11:00am: Inaugural Ceremony
12:30pm - 8:00pm: Exhibition open for visitors

Sep.12th
11:00am - 8:00pm: Exhibition open for visitors
3:30pm-6:00pm: Tourism Skills Convention, hosted by ISC tourism
7:00pm-8:00pm: Cultural Performance by Embassy Philippines

Sep.13th
11:00am - 8:00pm: Exhibition open for visitors
5:00pm: Closing Ceremony, followed by Cultural Program

Chittagong(3) -Hotel Information-

Hotel information this time.
As always, start from Parjatan Motel.

After changing buses many times(meaninglessly), I finally arrived at Parjatan Motel.
New building is now under construction, but meanwhile the hotel is located in the second floor of new railway station.

However, I didn't stay there because water wasn't available for some reason......but anyway, here is information.

Parjatan Motel Shaikat
Address: New Railway station, Chittagong
Tel: 031-611047
Budget: AC/2,000tk, NonAC/1,500tk

So, I will introduce some middle class hotels near railway station.

<Hotel Paramount International>
It is located just in front of railway station.
I forgot to take picture of the building, but room is as pictures show.

Corridor is wide and light(unlike many Bangladeshi hotels....).
Unfortunately, hot water isn't available in summer.
But if you don't mind, it will be a good choice.

Hotel Paramount International
Address: 170, Station Road, Chittagong
Tel: 031-2856771-5
E-mail: pararmountbd@yahoo.com
Budget: Tw/AC-1700, Sin/AC-1200, Tw/NonAC-1400, Sin/NonAC-700

＜Asian SR Hotel＞
There are many hotels around railway station.
Coming out from station, I turned left and walked straight.
Next one is this hotel.

 

Front is in 2nd floor.
Picture is Premium twin room.

As a result, I stayed at this hotel.
This is middle class hotel, but staff bright my bag to room, cleaning staffs make way when guests come and say hello....very pleasant staffs.
(or, is it normal.....? it must have been normal in Japan, but not sure now....anyway I was impressed.)

It was totally dark in the morning because a room I stayed didn't have window.
I overslept and my mobile insisted it was 9pm, but I didn't believe for a while.
So.......be careful.

Asian SR Hotel
Address : 291 Station Road, Chittagong
Tel: 031-636383 HP:http://www.asiansrhotel.com/
Budget : Sin/870-1600,Twin/1630-3200 +15%VAT

<Hotel Comfort Ltd.>
Next hotel, front desk is in the 2nd floor.
Go up to narrow stairs.

Room is.......normal.
Very normal.

Though hot water isn't available, good choice for budget traveler.
Hotel Comfort Ltd.
Address : 734, Station Road, Chittagong
Tel: 031-624346
Budget: Tw/NonAC-1000, Sin/NonAC-550, Tw/AC-1500, Sin/AC-1100

＜Favour Inn＞
Keep walking.
This hotel is a bit high ranked one.
You have to go through security check to enter the hotel.

Front desk is dim........
Staffs are quiet......

Corridor is also a bit dim, but room looks nice.

Price includes breakfast.
Hot water is available of course, and you will have welcome drink as brochure says.

Favour Inn
Address : 659/A, Station Road, Chittagong
Tel: 031-2864507,8
Budget: Sin-$38 DB-$48, TW-$52

Chittagong(2) -Zaman Hotel-

Chittagong is the seaside city.
What to eat? - Of course seafood.
I went to Zaman Hotel to eat Lobster!

There are some branches, but the one I went is in 2nd floor of building near GEC circle.
At first, fried Rupchanda(butterfish).

It is so crispy that you can eat whole part.
Then, lobster!

There are 3 lobsters.(I didn't eat 3 though)
Half is 250tk, full is 500tk.
However, they only had 300tk lobster when I went there.

See how big it is?

Staff cut your lobster with scissors.
(but somehow he came to cut after sometime we started eating...)
Sauce was also very tasty.
I thought I could eat one plate of rice with only the sauce.

You can not leave Chittagong without having seafood!

<Zaman Hotel>
Address: GEC circle, City Corp, Bhaban, Chittagong
Tel: 031-654980
Time: 10am-11:30pm