I recently visited Bangladesh and was pleasantly surprised by the friendliness of the people. I reached some very remote villages where the chief of the villages told my guide that I am the first white person to ever visit the village. I was treated like a man from Mars!
Bangladesh is blessed with lots of colourful people, architecture, and scenery. However, once the colour is taken away and viewed through a sepia filter, it is easier to see the real Bangladesh behind the colours.
While people generally look happy with life, the poverty in which many people live is truly appalling. People work hard to make ends meet. In the Chittagong ship-breaking yards, men and boys work long hours to break down massive ships by hand and basic tools – all for a meagre $1 or $3 per day. While poor, the people are friendly and very hospitable towards foreign visitors.
☛ Read more: 10 Reasons to explore Bangladesh
Travel blogger Ellie from Soul Travel Blog aptly describes Bangladesh as follows: “Bangladesh is without a doubt one of Asia’s undiscovered gems, but unfortunately (mostly due to a mixture of political instability and natural disasters), Bangladesh has gathered not the best reputation internationally. Bangladesh has yet to experience much tourism and is mostly un-touristed: a foreign face will excite a lot of attention and interest, almost always of a friendly and kindly nature. “Excuse me mam, your country?” were probably the words I heard spoken most to me on my trip.”.
Ellie continues with “As an un-touristed destination, Bangladesh is relatively free from the tourist-scams that are common in neighbouring India. On the other hand, Bangladesh also lacks much of the infrastructure of neighbouring India, and travelling around can be hard work. Roads can be unpaved, traffic is dire in some places (mostly Dhaka) – for more see the transport section – and transport conditions are basic at best. English is not widely spoken, which can make independent travel difficult in more rural areas.”
It can be a challenge to travel in Bangladesh if you are not used to going “raw”, as Ellie explains: “Bangladesh can also be raw: along with the beautiful landscapes, people and places, expect to see a lot of poverty, and a huge amount of pollution and dirt. Don’t come if you’re not comfortable with dressing conservatively, sitting in crowded transport, and experiencing a variety of conditions. Perhaps the best description of Bangladesh I’ve heard is a “more raw version of India” – but even that comparison falls a long way short of the variety and richness of culture available in Bangladesh, and the positive surprises that this small but bustling country has in store for travellers who make it there.
We wholeheartedly agree with Ellie assessment. Read Ellie’s Soul Travel Blog as she has great tips about visas, customs & culture, practicalities, transport, food & drinks, and special tips for solo female travellers.
What an incredible country. Enjoy my photos to depict a day in the life of the people of Bangladesh.
Article in Globerovers Magazine, July 2016.
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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.