Wrecks, pilgrims and diesel locos…

I have twice travelled in Bangladesh with The Lonesome Traveler. My first was in January 2013 in the company of an international group of railway enthusiasts. It is many years since steam locomotives last worked in Bangladesh but there was still plenty to see to make our visit worthwhile. The rail system was built by the British so the infrastructure was of special interest to the UK members of the party. Other highlights included mainline trains running through busy markets, diesel locos built in the 1950s and spectacularly overcrowded trains taking pilgrims back to central Dhaka at the end of the second largest Muslim festival in the world.

A non-railway highlight was the opportunity to see and photograph the Chittagong beach ship breaking yards. Lonesome Traveler arranged the hire of a converted lifeboat to view from the sea the awe inspiring sight of the enormous partially dismantled ships, an unforgettable experience. Earlier in the trip they obtained permission for us to visit and photograph the shipbuilding yards on the banks of the Buriganga River that runs through Dhaka. The ‘coaster’ size ships are hand-built using components re-cycled from the giant ships cut up at Chittagong. The sometimes exacting requirements of the group, for example very early starts to get the best light for photography or finding obscure railway locations, were always cheerfully agreed to.

My second visit was a private trip to my own itinerary that included Chandpur, the tea growing district around Srimangal and the Lawachara National Park. The Lonesome Traveler Tour Escort, Mamun Farazi accompanied me as interpreter and guide. He made the transport and accommodation bookings for myself and a friend travelling with me. Almost every form of transport was used including taxi, ferry (from Dhaka to Chandpur), local train, express train, bus, scooter rickshaw (CNG), cycle rickshaw and its modern development the battery powered cycle rickshaw.

Mamun speaks perfect English and German and understands the requirements of a European visitor. He has an extensive knowledge of his country’s geography and customs. He ensured my visit was a complete success. I wholeheartedly recommend Lonesome Traveler and the services of Mamun to anybody contemplating a visit to this interesting and friendly country.

George (in May 2014)