Our honest review of Bangladesh as British tourists

Summary

In this video, Bob and Eve share their eye-opening experiences during a trip to Bangladesh, visiting Dhaka and Cox’s Bazaar. Contrary to common misconceptions about the country being chaotic, unsafe, and dirty, they were pleasantly surprised by the welcoming and hospitable locals, smooth travel experiences, and beautiful landscapes. They highlight the kindness of the people, the rich culture, and the stunning beaches, while acknowledging minor challenges like traffic and occasional overpricing. Their visit ultimately changed their perspective, leaving them eager to return and explore more of Bangladesh's untapped beauty.

Takeaways

• 😀 The travelers were initially hesitant about visiting Bangladesh due to negative stereotypes but ended up having a positive experience.
• 😀 Dhaka's airport was surprisingly calm and organized, contrary to the chaotic experience expected from other Asian cities.
• 😀 The traffic in Dhaka was not as bad as expected, with some areas having little to no congestion during their visit.
• 😀 The hotel they stayed in was pleasant, and the staff's hospitality, such as meeting them with umbrellas in the rain, left a positive impression.
• 😀 The people of Bangladesh were incredibly friendly, respectful, and curious about the travelers, making their experience pleasant.
• 😀 One memorable experience was visiting a shipbreaking yard, where the workers gave them a tour and invited them to lunch, showcasing the country's hospitality.
• 😀 The travelers encountered acts of kindness, like two college students buying flowers and ice cream for them, highlighting the warmth of the people.
• 😀 Bangladesh's portrayal in Western media as dirty and unhygienic is a misconception; their experience in Dhaka and Cox's Bazaar was very positive.
• 😀 Cox's Bazaar, with the world's longest unbroken sea beach, was a highlight, along with a relaxing sunset and coconut drink on the beach.
• 😀 They were impressed by the quality of local coffee, which was barista-style and served with delicious cakes, challenging their preconceptions about the country's food and drink scene.
• 😀 While they had a minor negative experience with a tuk tuk fare being inflated, this was an isolated incident, and they found most pricing to be honest.
• 😀 Despite seeing some pollution in old Dhaka's industrial areas, the overall cleanliness and environment did not match the negative reputation often associated with Bangladesh.
• 😀 The travelers felt safe in Bangladesh, noting that the density and chaos were no different from other cities in South Asia, and they never felt unsafe, even at night.

Q & A

What was Bob and Eve's initial impression of Dhaka's airport?

Bob and Eve were surprised by how non-chaotic the Dhaka airport was. They expected to be swarmed by people but found it calm and well-organized, which was a pleasant surprise.

How did Bob and Eve describe their experience with the traffic in Dhaka?

Although Dhaka is known for its traffic, Bob and Eve found that during their trip, the traffic was not as chaotic as expected. Their journey from the airport to the hotel, which they anticipated would be longer, was actually smooth and easy.

What was the standout feature of the hotel they stayed in?

The hotel Bob and Eve stayed at exceeded their expectations. They mentioned that the hotel was lovely, with genuine reviews, and the staff was particularly friendly, meeting them with umbrellas when it was pouring rain.

What impression did Bob and Eve have of the people in Bangladesh?

Bob and Eve were impressed by the hospitality and kindness of the Bangladeshi people. They found everyone to be very friendly, respectful, and genuinely interested in where they were from.

Can you share an example of exceptional hospitality that Bob and Eve experienced?

One memorable experience was when Bob and Eve visited a shipbreaking yard in Dhaka. The workers there gave them a tour of the boat and invited them to share a meal. Bob found it extraordinary since such hospitality is rare in Western countries.

What was Bob and Eve's view on the cleanliness of Dhaka?

Despite hearing negative things about Bangladesh's cleanliness in Western media, Bob and Eve found Dhaka to be much cleaner than expected. While they did see pollution in certain areas, it was not as widespread or bad as they had imagined.

Did Bob and Eve have any negative experiences in Bangladesh?

Bob and Eve's only negative experience was with a tuk-tuk driver in Dhaka who quoted them an inflated price for a short ride. However, they managed to negotiate a reasonable fare and laughed off the situation.

Was it safe for Bob and Eve to walk around Dhaka, even at night?

Yes, Bob and Eve felt safe walking around Dhaka, even at night. They visited various areas, including Old Dhaka and Golshan, without feeling unsafe, and they were reassured by the kindness of the people around them.

How did Bob and Eve describe the atmosphere in Dhaka compared to other South Asian cities?

Bob and Eve noted that although Dhaka is the most densely populated city in the world, it felt no more chaotic than other major South Asian cities like Islamabad or Delhi. They found it to be busy but manageable in many parts.

Would Bob and Eve visit Bangladesh again, and why?

Yes, Bob and Eve would love to visit Bangladesh again. They mentioned that there were still many beautiful areas they wanted to explore, such as Clet, which they had heard was very picturesque. Overall, they felt Bangladesh had a lot to offer and was a misunderstood country.