I’m getting myself all prepared for Bangladesh and am sorting through some need to know info for the trip.

 

Here are some of the things you might like to know, and that are of course necessary knoledge for my Trip.

 

My Accomodation:

Ruposhi Bangla Hotel

The first renowned international five-star hotel in Bangladesh, Ruposhi Bangla Hotel (former Dhaka Sheraton Hotel) is in the most prestigious location; just three kilometers from the downtown business district and near Dhaka’s most famous Ramna Park and National Museum. It is also at a convenient location from Prime Minister’s Office, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novo Theatre, Bashundhara City Shopping Centre, famous Dhaka University campus and surrounding historical places.

• Shuttle transportation service from / to airport USD 7.00 per person each way. Proceed to the Ruposhi Bangla Hotel counter at Dhaka airport on arrival if you require this service.
• Limousine transportation service from / to airport USD 35.00 each way

 

 

About Dhaka

 

Climate
Dhaka experiences a hot, wet and humid tropical climate.

Average high in June	34.4 °C / 94°F
Average low in June	28.3°C / 83°F
Average Rainfall in June	358 mm / 14.1 inches

 

 

So it’s sunbaking time on my days off. Looking forward to escaping the cold in Australia at the moment.

Currency
The Taka (Bengali:টাকা, sign: ৳ or Tk, code: BDT) is the currency of Bangladesh. The most commonly used symbol for the Taka is Tk and ৳, used on receipts while purchasing goods and services.

Electricity Supply

(always important to know- though I now carry a universal adaptor everywhere)

Outlets in Bangladesh generally accept 4 types of plug :

Food
Western food is available in all major hotels and most of the big restaurants in import cities. But local dishes are normally far better and more exotic. Curries of many kinds around, cooked with proper spices and hot curry powders. Those who do not care for rice dishes can try mughlai parata, plain parata or naan, which go very well with curries. Fish-lovers should not miss smoked hilsa, fresh bhetki and chingri (lobster/king prawns) malaikari, Prawn dopyaza.

Language
Bengali is the most widely spoken language in Bangladesh. English is also widely spoken and understood.

Time Zone
The standard time zone of Dhaka is UTC/GMT +6 hours.

Transport
Cycle rickshaws and auto rickshaws are the main mode of transport. Public buses are operated by the state-run Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation and by private companies and operators. Taxis are also available.

Visa Requirements
Visa required prior to departure for most nationalities. Make enquiries at the Bangladesh High Commission in your country.

Dhaka – Attractions

 

Bangladesh radiates a distinct old world charm that sets it apart from other travel destinations of the world. The city of Dhaka in the heart of Bangladesh is a land of glorified beauty, hundreds of serpentine rivers, sapphire lakes encircled by lush tropical forests, rustic mountain ranges, and emerald tea gardens. The country is home to the world’s largest mangrove forest preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the royal Bengal tiger, the world’s longest beach, ritualistic tribes, as well as relics of ancient Buddhist civilisations. Dhaka is also the industrial, commercial, and administrative centre of Bangladesh, with trade in jute, rice, oilseeds, sugar, and tea. Manufacturing in the city focuses on textiles and jute products. Dhaka is famous for its handicrafts.

Dhaka, Bangladesh is a land of impressions – a land of peace; a treasure trove waiting to be discovered.

 

(We’ll see if their description measures up with my own experiences.)

Mosques
Dhaka boasts numerous holy mosques. The most prominent are the 7-domed Mosque that was built in the 17th century, the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, and Star Mosque constructed during the 18th century.

Hindu Temples
The spectacular Hindu temples of Dhakeshwari Temple and Ramkrishna Mission are monumental masterpieces.

Churches
Dhaka boasts several majestic and holy churches such as the Armenian Church built during 1781 AD, St Mary’s Cathedral at Ramna, and the Church of Bangladesh constructed in 1677 AD.

Lalbagh Fort
Lalbagh Fort was built in 1678 AD by Prince Mohammad Azam, the son of Mughal emperor Aurangazeb. The fort was the scene of a bloody battle for the war of independence in 1857 when 260 Sepoys (high-caste Hindus) courageously revolted against an entire British army. Outstanding amongst the monuments of Lalbagh are: the tomb of Pari Bibi, Lalbagh Mosque, and Audience Hall.

Bahadur Shah Park
Bahadur Shah Park is a war memorial built in 1857 as a tribute to the martyrs who fought in the first liberation war against British rule. It was here that the conflicting Sepoys and their civil compatriots were publicly hanged.

Bangabandhu Memorial Museum
The Bangabandhu Memorial Museum was originally the former residence of the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. On display are rare collections of personal effects and photographs of this great man.

Mukti Juddha Museum
Mukti Juddha Museum contains an impressive assortment of photographs concerning the liberation war as well as materials used by its freedom fighters.

Ahsan Manzil Museum
The majestic pink coloured Ahsan Manzil Museum was the former home of the Nawab of Dhaka. The Ahsan Manzil contains 31 rooms with a massive dome seen from miles around. It also boasts 23 galleries where masterwork paintings, furniture and household articles, used by the Nawab, are on display.

Curzon Hall
The Curzon Hall is an architectural marvel that was named after Lord Curzon. It now houses the Science Faculty of Dhaka University.

 

Banga Bhaban
Banga Bhaban is a grand palace and the official residence of the country’s president.

Baldha Garden
The Baldha Garden has a diverse variety of indigenous and exotic floras and trees.

Ramna Green
Ramna Green is a vast stretch of green garden encircled by a sparkling lake near the Dhaka Sheraton Hotel.

Parliament House 
The Parliament House was designed by the famous architect Louis I Kahn and has been called Bangladesh’s architectural wonder.

Science Museum
The Science Museum is a state-of-the-art faculty dedicated to the advancement of sciences.

 

Old High Court Building 
The Old High Court Building was originally the residence of a British governor. It artistically blends European and Mughal architecture and design.

Dhaka Zoo 
The Dhaka Zoo (Mirpur Zoo) is a recreation of the wild and boasts many exotic animal, plant and bird species including the royal Bengal tiger.

The National Museum 
The National Museum contains a large number of interesting artefacts including sculptures and paintings from the Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim renaissance periods.

Botanical Gardens
The breathtaking Botanical Garden at Mirpur is a 205-acre natural paradise.

The National Park
The National Park is a vast 1600-acre forest land with facilities for picnics and boating.

National Poet’s Graveyard
The National Poet’s Graveyard commemorates revolutionary poet Kazi Nazrul Islam who died in 1976.

Suhrawardy Uddyan Park
The Suhrawardy Uddyan Park is a historic landmark where the oath for Bangladesh independence was taken. The park is well known for its lush verdure.

Mausoleum
Mausoleum of National Leaders is the resting place for many of the country’s most eminent national leaders such as Sher-e-Bangla, A K Fazlul Haque, Hossain Shahid Suhrawardy and Khaja Nazimuddin.

 

So looks like I’m going to be kept busy there!!

 

Anyone else been to Dhaka, Bangladesh? Love some advice and tips!

 

(Information provided to www.fapaa.org by Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association, BAFFA, )