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Read moreBangladesh & Sri Lanka
by Melissa TerrisThe Asian adventures continued... After India we decided to make a couple of pit stops, first in Bangladesh and then Sri Lanka. Our flight over to Bangladesh from New Delhi was about 11 hours with layovers, but it was well worth it.
The first tip would be to be ready for airport/custom bureaucracy in Bangladesh. As per the US embassy website, “You may obtain a visa on arrival at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. However, the issuance of this visa is a privilege not a right and is at the sole discretion of the Bangladeshi immigration officer. The fee for a visa on arrival is $50 USD (plus tax), payable in US dollars only”. Based on the mood of the immigration officer, the embassy website wasn’t wrong. I’d just say be polite, smile, and try to be flexible.
The number two tip, for a visit to Dhaka, would be to bring bug repellant. Dhaka has an overwhelming number of mosquitos, so much so that our beds were equipped with nets. Despite the amount of mosquitoes, I thankfully didn’t leave with many bites!
We booked an Airbnb in the city of Dhaka. The accommodations were equipped with all the essentials and it included live-in staff. At an additional cost, the staff provided us with meals and any extra groceries that were needed. The staff were extremely pleasant and didn’t speak much English but a smile and finger pointing can go a long way.
My third tip, and most important, would be to book a tour. Bangladesh is not a huge tourist city, but it does have some great attractions, and getting around on your own can be difficult. We decided to book a city tour with https://nijhoom.com/bangladesh-tour/old-dhaka-tour/. The tour was great and includes some of the must see places such as Ahsan Manzil (pink palace), a boat ride along the Buriganga River, taking a rickshaw ride through Dhaka, and a visit to the Star Mosque just to name a few. This tour comes with lunch too, all for $70!
So I’d say if you have a spare day or two in Asia and want to see a country with rich culture and beautiful people, then I’d recommend a visit to Bangladesh.
We had a couple of days left so off we went to the teardrop shaped Island of Sri Lanka. This island is known for its beautiful beaches, amazing teas, and fascinating wildlife. Sri Lanka is a large city with all the modern amenities. To travel to Sri Lanka you’ll need an Electronic Travel Authorization, which is an electronic visa that will cost $55 and is valid for 30 days.
Once we arrived we made it to our high rise Airbnb which we picked because of the close proximity to the beach. Getting around town was a breeze as tuk tuks are fully accessible on every corner. After having some fun in the sun, we took a private half day tour. This tour took us to Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple, Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct, and Independence Memorial Hall, just to name a few sights. The best part of this tour was ending the day with high tea at the luxurious Taj Samudra hotel which overlooks the Indian Ocean.
Sri Lanka is definitely worth a visit, you would not be disappointed. The views and beaches can captivate all your senses. So if you're looking for a relaxing getaway then I would highly suggest a visit to Sri Lanka.
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