Our first day in Dhaka was very slow and we didn’t do much at all thanks to our early flight. We were picked up by the free airport shuttle of Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka where we stayed for 3 nights, it’s in the city centre and so close to a big shopping mall that is popular here. It’s the first 5-star hotel in the city, quite an old-style but the hospitality of the staff is incredible.

I’ll post later on our first day, but we were pretty shell shocked after the relative peace and calm of Bhutan! Old Dhaka is chaotic, smelly and dirty but the people are very friendly (I felt safe!) and the food is incredible and we had an amazing time - I think one of my most fun stopovers in 2019.

We often travel and explore without guides and tours by usually renting our car, but we are really glad we decided to arrange our private tour for Bangladesh with Deshghuri.com.

Our guide, Shabbir, picked us up with a car and driver from the hotel at around 9 am and wasted no time in diving headlong into the frenzy that is Dhaka City! 🤣

We got out of the car at the entrance to a small side street, only big enough for pedestrians, rickshaws, and tuk-tuks. We walked for a while, dodging puddles, steps and the constant weaving traffic.

It was quickly clear that being in one of those “vehicles” was going to be a lot easier and faster than walking with my still recovering “ankle”! Shabbir flagged down a rickshaw which was peddled by strong, wiry Bangladeshi man. 3 of us managed to climb on, which seems quite normal here. The driver pulled us through the narrow streets, skillfully avoiding obstacles and potholes.

There are literally thousands of rickshaws carrying people all over the city, almost all of the pedal-powered. We have no doubt whatsoever that these guys are some of the hardest working people in the city. Part of us felt guilty for even being on the rickshaw, but then this is his business, just like thousands of others.

The ride itself was a lot of fun, as being up higher allowed us to see everything going on all around us, like moving spectators!

Throughout the day we visited so many places that we never would have seen on our own, like a beautiful mosaic-tiled mosque, an Armenian church, the Pink Palace, Lalbug Fort, Dhaka University, Dhakeswari Temple, Sadarghat (the river), Banga Bazaar, New Market and loads more in between!

Of course, I can’t forget Jonathan wearing a traditional Bangladeshi “lungi” ( a sarong-like piece of clothing for men) to enter the mosque, then liking it so much he kept it on for most of the day!

Part 2 - our riverboat ride and branded clothes shopping experience (I spent $50 and bought 9 dresses and maong jacket!)!