Dhaka Trip

日本に帰る直前のお友達と3泊４日でバングラデッシュのダッカに旅行してきました。
As usual my trip is three-prone approach that is sightseeing, shopping and eating.

Sightseeing:
Went to the port and took a small (and somewhat scary) wooden boat to go around the port.
Saw a gorgeously tiled mosque, called “Star Mosque”, the parliament building, local market and some nice architecture around the city.

Shopping:
They have wonderful fair-trade craft and clothing stores. I went crazy with sandals and bought 4 pairs!! They are so reasonably priced, too. I also got one lovely kurta set. Earrings, scarf, tiny pouches and my very first sari! I may attend my friend’s wedding, and I want to wear one for the first time. I had no clue how to choose one. For saris, apparently combination that would never work for regular clothing (such as green and orange together type thing) is a go. I just listened to the advice of others purchased one of bright pink and blue color silk with some flower patterns. Waiting for my sari debut day!!

Dining:
I was craving for seafood. I ate shrimps at every dinner. My highlight was eating at a Vietnamese restaurant, which is not available where I am now. I had shrimp spring rolls, pho noodle and fried banana and was completely satisfied. One dinner was at a seafood restaurant where I had calamari and paella among other things. Only thing missing from these wonderful meals was a cold glass of beer or white wine, but never mind. This is a Muslim country, where most restaurants are dry.

Other:
The friend that I was traveling with used to work there, so I met with her friends and colleagues, which is always a nice addition to a trip.
We hired a car and driver to take us around everywhere, and stayed in a nice hotel. It was a rather a trip de luxe for us. But, it didn’t cost that much including shopping. The city is much modern than where I am now. I was completely like a country girl overwhelmed by the modernity of the city. People are extremely friendly and nice and gave a bit different impression than N. people.

I just had so much fun. I have become an unofficial sales agent for the country and telling everyone how great it was and that they should all go!!