Natural Wonders

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Natural Wonders of Bangladesh

Cox's Bazar



Bangladesh 's only beach resort is near the Myanmar border in an area where Rohingya refugees have settled to escape persecution in Myanmar . It has a Burmese Buddhist flavour and few amenities to service the visitors attracted by its enormous expanse of shark-free beach. Even modestly clad bathers, especially females, should expect to be gawked at by locals and Bangladeshi holidaymakers. Bangladeshi women who swim (they are a rare breed) do so in a flowing shalwar kameez . South of Cox's Bazar are more secluded beaches where having a swim can still be a private experience rather than a public spectacle. They include Himacheri Beach and Inani Beach . Note that the beaches are not considered entirely safe at night.



At the moment the road from Chittagong to Cox's Bazar is one of the worst in the country and still unfinished, but you can avoid it altogether by making your way from Dhaka to Chittagong, and then doing a short 20 minute flight from there. Alternatively buses go straight from Dhaka to Cox's Bazar, a distance of 370km (230mi).


St Martin Island




This small coral island about 10km (6mi) south-west of the southern tip of the mainland is a tropical cliché, with beaches fringed with coconut palms and bountiful marine life. There''s nothing more strenuous to do here than soak up the rays, but it''s a clean and peaceful place without even a mosquito to disrupt your serenity. It''s possible to walk around the island in a day because it measures only 8 sq km (3 sq mi), shrinking to about 5 sq km (2 sq mi) during high tide. Most of island''s 5500 inhabitants live primarily from fishing, and between October and April fisher people from neighbouring areas bring their catch to the island''s temporary wholesale market. A ferry leaves Teknaf for St Martin every day and takes around 3 hours.

Getting to St. Martin ''s is a three-step program. First you''ll need to fly or bus it down to Cox''s Bazar, and then catch a bus to Teknaf, which is right on the very tip of Bangladesh , sandwiched up against Myanmar . From Teknar, ferries run daily to St. Martin Island . The total distance from Dhaka to the island is 510km (316mi).

The Sundarbans


In the south western part of Bangladesh, in the district of greater Khulna, lies the Sundarbans, "the beautiful forest." It is a virgin forest which until recently owed nothing to human endeavour and yet nature has laid it out with as much care as a planned pleasure ground. For miles and miles, the lofty treetops form an unbroken canopy, while nearer the ground, works of high and ebb-tide marked on the soil and tree trunks and the many varieties of the natural mangrove forest have much to offer to an inquisitive visitor.


Here land and water meet in many novel fashions. Wild life presents many a spectacle. No wonder, you may come across a Royal Bengal Tiger swimming across the streams or the crocodiles basking on the river banks. With the approach of the evening herds of deer make for the darking gladeswhere boisterous monkeys shower Keora leaves from above for sumptuous meal for the former. For the botanist, the lover of nature, the poet and the painter this land provides a variety of wonders for which they all crave.







The Sundarbans is a cluster of islands with an approximate area of 3600 sq. km. forming the largest block of littoral forests. It's beauty lies in its unique natural surrounding. Thousands of meandering streams, creeks, rivers and estuaries have enhanced its charm. Sundarbans meaning beautiful forest is the natural habitat of the world famous Royal Bengal Tiger, spotted deer, crocodiles, jungle fowl, wild boar, lizards, rhesus monkey and an innumerable variety of beautiful birds. Migratory flock of siberian ducks flying over thousands of sail boats loaded with timber, gopatta (round-leaf), fuel wood, honey, shell and fish further add to the serene natural beauty of the Sundarbans.







This is indeed a land for the sportsmen. the anglers and the photographer with its abundance of game. big and small, crocodile. wild b ar. deer, pythons. wild birds and above all the Royal Bengal iger, cunning, ruthless and yet majestic and graceful. For the less adventurou5ly inclined, there are ducks and snipes. heron and coots. yellow-lags and sandpipers. It is also the land for t e ordinary holiday makers who desire to rest or wander aroun at will to refresh their mind and feast their eyes with the rich t easure that nature has so fondly bestowed.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Exlore the Fascinating Country of Bangladesh






While Bangladesh might not be everyone's cup of tea, it certainly makes for unforgettable travel. The country might not be heavily developed in terms of hotels, shops and conveniences, but it still has lots to offer. Most of the attractions here have to do with the incredible natural wealth of the country.
For the most part, Bangladesh is still relatively unexplored. It retains enormous natural wealth and beauty. The country is dotted with rivers, lakes and perpetually green hills. Here and there you will find yourself in the midst of a lush tropical rain forest or perhaps in amongst tea plants as you visit one of the many green tea gardens. Bangladesh is also home to the world's largest mangrove forest, which has been declared a World Heritage Site. These are just some of the amazing natural scenes that greet your eyes while traveling the country. When you look out across the hills and valleys, it is as if you are looking at an artists' canvas – a view so stunning that it seems possible that it existed only in the painter's imagination.

But that is not where the wealth of the country ends. Home of the Royal Bengal Tiger – an endangered species – Bangladesh will offer you an unparalleled opportunity to see these exquisite creatures in their natural habitat. You can enjoy the warbling of birds as you don your binoculars to spot the different bird varieties or you can take to the coast and visit the world's longest natural sea beach – a great place to spend time sunning yourself in a country that has an abundance of sunshine. If cultural attractions are more interesting to you, you can visit the relics of ancient Buddhist civilizations and enjoy meeting colorful, friendly native tribes.
Perhaps one of the most remarkable things about traveling around Bangladesh is the fact that you are not merely a spectator simply breezing through the country on a whirlwind, commercially-styled trip. Here you will learn amazing things about the people first hand. You will have the opportunity to communicate with the people and to spend time amongst nature truly enjoying the delights it has to offer. Bangladesh is more than just a holiday – it's a destination.

Discover The Natural Wonders Of Bangladesh for Travelling



The golden sands of Cox’s Bazar stretch for an unimaginable 120 km, making it the largest unbroken beach in the world. Along with the serene sands, beautiful waters and forest covered hills, Cox’s Bazar offers the freshest, tastiest sea food in the land. While Cox’s Bazar is vibrant and full of life there are other beaches which offer a more laid back experience. 48 Km off the mainland lays Bangladesh’s most southern point, St. Martin’s Island. With unspoiled white sandy beaches and clear blue water, it remains a secluded paradise which also happens to be Bangladesh’s only coral island. Just as private but not so far away, is the beach at Kuakata. Located 70 Km from the district headquarters of Patuakhali, Kuakata is an underdeveloped tourist spot which breathes an earthy beauty. It promises an amazing beach where one can see both sunrise and sunset.



Aside from beaches Bangladesh is also home to the largest mangrove forest in the world, the Sunderbans. Spread over an area of 6000 sq Km, the Sunderbans offers an experience few places in the world can offer. Edged by human inhabitants, the Royal Bengal Tiger still reigns supreme there, as rivers and creeks drain themselves out into the Bay of Bengal. From crocodiles to spotted deer the Sunderbans is home to a diverse range of animals with an intricate ecosystem. Recently it was even declared a UNESCO world heritage site which puts it in great company with other famous sites from around the world.




Bangladesh’s archeological sites are also worth more than a passing glance. Mainamati near Comilla and Mahastangarh just north of Bogra are spectacular reminders of Bangladesh’s ancient past. The slopes of the hills near Mainamati are full of archeological artifacts which date back to the 8th century, when the area was still entirely Buddhist. Mahastangarh is the oldest archeological site in Bangladesh dating back to the 3rd century and even to this day, draws thousands of Hindu devotees. Paharpur in Rajshahi is one of the largest Buddhist monasteries south of the Himalayas and its imposing presence captivates anyone who has been there. But Bangladeshi tourism encompasses more just places of beauty and interest, the people, culture, festivals and intangible atmosphere all make up the very fabric of a Bangladeshi experience. To taste a real South Asian experience, Bangladesh is a one stop destination.