1.5KReading Time: 2minutesBoat on the river towards the Bangladeshi Sundarban mangroves
Bangladesh is one of the most rewarding places to visit for intrepid travellers who like to get well off the beaten track. If you are into portrait photography you will love the people of Bangladesh and they sure will love you. While there are at least 100 reasons to visit Bangladesh, here are 10 to think about.
1. Bangladesh has among the most friendly and hospitable people in the world
Colourful ladies in the village of Bamrail, a few hours from Barisal
2. If you are into portrait photography, you will have a very productive time. People are very photogenic and love to have their photos taken.
Everybody wants to be in the photo. Village of Bamrail
3. Taking a 24-hour ride down the Ganges River on the century-old Rocket Steamer is a very memorable experience.
Boat ride on “The Rocket” from Dhaka to Barisal
4. Visiting the slums of old Dhaka is a cultural shock and an eye-opener. You will start to appreciate your life more than ever before.
The old part of Dhaka
5. Go hiking in the Chittagong Hill Tracts with a (compulsory) 6-man team of armoured guards.
Safely guarded while trekking the Chittagong Hill Tracts
6. Explore the Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta by small boat and find many fairly isolated communities who have never seen Western people – or any non-Asians for that matter.
Isolated communities in the Ganges Brahmaputra Delta
7. Go on a boat trip through the Sundarbans – the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world. Watch out for the Bengal tigers, aquatic mammals, birds and reptiles.
8. Bangladesh has some of the most authentic fresh markets and food in the world. Don’t think twice – let your stomach have no borders!
Fresh markets of Bangladesh
9. Visit the Chittagong Ship Breaking Yards to gain a better understanding of why the average tourist and journalist are not allowed nearby. Feel sorry for the teenagers, and everybody else, doing backbreaking working for just US$1-$3 a day with little protection for their eyes and hands.
Ship Breaking Yards, Chittagong
10. Meet the poor and underprivileged yet very friendly people. Bring many smiles to their day and they will give you a new meaning to your own life of challenges.
Blog post and photos by Peter who has been travelling almost full-time since 2005 and has been to over 122 countries. He visited several countries, such as Japan, more than 20 times. Peter is Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of GlobeRovers Magazine, an independent travel magazine focused on intrepid destinations.
