Water Your Travel Seed
Travel - A Matter of Courage
"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you did not do than the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, and sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sail, explore, dream, discover." —Mark Twain. We have read in high school books about the verdant nature of Bangladesh, but how many of us have shown the courage to explore it? When it comes to traveling, many people put money first, but the hunger to explore nature is required the most. The famous writer Paulo Coelho says, "Travel is never a matter of money but courage." The tourism sector in Bangladesh has grown far less than it should have in the past 50 years. Over the past years, there has been a gradual increase in tourists at the main attraction points, Cox's Bazar, Saint Martin’s, and Sylhet. Traveling in Bangladesh is pretty cost-effective if you only know how to deal with people and how to negotiate.
A Traveling Experience to Cherish
I will always cherish the day, October 25, 2021, when Junayed, Shakib, and I settled upon leaving for Kuakata that evening. We had a tight budget but decided to give it a go. We decided to meet at Sadarghat. According to the plan, I packed a little bag and headed for Sadarghat at around 3:00. After gathering at around 5 pm, we started searching for a launch that would travel to Kuakata. Someone at the terminal suggested that we catch a launch to Khepupara. We hurriedly boarded as soon as we found our giant water ride. When boarding, we learned that the fare is comparatively lower at the deck, with no seats available. Like many others, we grabbed some space for our group of three.
We had already bought some loaves of bread and bananas for the night as food prices are very high at the canteen. It was my first experience with this mode of transport, and I loved it. Standing at the front of the launch, sipping tea from paper cups, sailing through the dark, and the chilly wind brushing my face was an unforgettable experience. Brave fishers catch fish in the middle of the river with a tiny boat and a little light source as the water monsters pass by, giving a close call. We enjoyed a sunrise as pretty as a picture from the ride near the Payra port.
When the launch reached its destination Khepupara, a terminal not as spacious as Sadarghat, it was almost 7 am. We got off and entered a local restaurant for breakfast, and the food prices were lower than in Dhaka. We bargained with a charger vehicle owner for a ride to Kuakata for 60 BDT each, and we had to cross three medium-length bridges to reach our destination. We started searching for hotels as soon as we arrived. We finally found ourselves in an inexpensive hotel near the beach, and our bill for one night was only 500 BDT. This trip would have been much more expensive if we did not know how to negotiate.
Sunset in Kuakata
Inhalation of Day One in Kuakata
We noticed two bikers following us as we left the hotel, offering us rides to some attractions around here. They ask for a very high amount of money for a small ride, which they do not mention. It is better to avoid the trap. We politely rejected them and walked towards the Bay of Bengal. We rented two beach chairs and enjoyed the scenario we craved as the cool breeze welcomed us. An hour later, we started walking along the beach. The walk along the beach was fascinating, with lots of seashells waiting to be collected, trollers lining up along the beach as the fishing season had ended, and lots of tree logs washing ashore, making quite an impactful sound when hitting the wet sand below them.
We returned to the starting point of our walk and had a great time with the tide. Going into the water when people are around is always a wise idea. We returned to the hotel, changed our clothes, and headed to a restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon, we hired a van to take us to Lebuchar. We went for the sunset and watched as it slowly descended into waves crashing against sand while golden sparkles were seen dancing across its surface like stars in space.
We left the spot as soon as the last ray of sunlight faded, and it is always better not to stay in unknown places after sunset. We had fish BBQ, crab fries, and shrimp at night. Fish BBQ is a must-try item for anyone who visits here. Crab and shrimp taste similar. The price depends on the kind of fish and its size. Many jewelry items are made of sea creatures, and the clothing prices are lower than in Dhaka. We bought two beautiful handmade chadors for 200 and 550 BDT. We got back to the hotel at around 10 p.m.
Seafood in Kuakata
The Fatigued Camera Was Not Permitted to Have Any Leisure in Kuakata.
The following day, we got up early before sunrise and hired two bikes at BDT 500 each. Bikes drove through the low light, leaving tire prints on the sand. The only sounds we could hear were the pounding of the surf and the noise from the engine. We could see that many people had already arrived to enjoy the glorious moment of the sun rising. The sky turned red, making the scene cinematic as the sun emerged from the water. The pounding of the surf and birds chirping enhanced the moment. We spent some time walking around the beach, capturing the beautiful moments. The poor shutter was not permitted to have any leisure on the way back, capturing some of the most spectacular moments my eyes have ever witnessed. At the same time, our bulky pockets were busy preserving a plethora of nostalgic seashells. After having breakfast, we laid down on the moist, hard sand while our shades protected our eyes from the scorching sun and enjoyed the beautiful weather while drinking green coconut. We got into the water for the last time on this trip and had a wonderful time. At around 12, we checked out of the hotel, had lunch, and headed for the launch in Dhaka. We arrived at Sadarghat the following day after a 15-hour journey. The whole 2-day trip costs approximately 2200 BDT for each person, including everything.
The Final Thought on Traveling
The great thing about traveling is how it helps us escape from our regular lives, which can be stressful. Traveling once or twice a year has enhanced creativity and workability. Being limited by the 9 to 5 lifestyle can make us feel like we have no control over what happens next.
We will regret not taking a trip like this at some point down the line. So, when possible, water your travel seed in your mind and let the thoughts of Bangladesh fill you with wanderlust. The country has so much to offer, from natural beauty to rich culture and history. Furthermore, its people are some of the warmest and most welcoming you will ever meet.
So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip to explore Bangladesh today. Just be sure to do your part to keep the country clean by not littering. After all, happy travels start with respecting the places we visit.
