Not much of an exciting place, but the name is catchy and there is the chance to see monkeys. We rent a boat and spend the day on the river. I have second thoughts from the last boat experience, but it turned out nice. No monkeys this time though.

Tazin a real NatGeo explorer

Yep, not fake, beach full of red crabs. Or it used to be – before the tourist pollution. You can still spot them, but only the brave ones remain. The trip to there is in Bangladesh style. Riding along the beach with a motorbike – 3 people on board is the usual – violates some safety measures, but we go along with it. Then the budget ferry, to pass the river – shows us what full capacity and good balance mean. With a random sighting of the dead and deadly puffer fish. The ugliest fish I have ever seen – Shawon tells me that dolphins swim around it to annoy it and get high. What rebels! The day is all rewarded with the cloudy sunrise and some “friends” moments.

Helping Shawon to keep his trainers dry

Putka fish – quite ugly and surprisingly very human like looking. It is poisonous and apparently dolphins use it to get high.

I need antibiotics just by looking at this public bath.

Everywhere we go is crowded and I miss having some extra space, but strangely I never feel any danger(apart from one situation with some watermelons provoked by our own mistake). Maybe the religion plays a big role in that.

The most interesting eyes I have ever seen.

Shawon and Tazin walked us around to show us all types of traditional food and tea. After my 3rd masala tea for the day, I can hear my heart! A quick Google search reveals that it is full of caffeine! No more tea!

In the meanwhile I notice that many locals have blood-red mouths, my first thought is a “secret fight club”. Turns out it is healthy Coca leaves… so I try it. I am joking – Betel leaves, calcium and areca nuts. Makes your mouth bloody and fresh.

Then my favourite experiences – the traditional seaside snack wagons – freshly baked nuts and luxury tea in one-time-use cley cups. A bit wasteful, but plenty of romantic.

Some street foods here are so cheap that you literally just pay for the plastic bag.

The most underground experience is the oil-boiled cottage cheese balls prepared in a distillery look-alike basement.

Recipe to hear your heart beat – the 3rd masala tea, full of coffein

Coconut for the price of a straw.

Traditional clothing is as simple as it gets. Just a colourful fabric and the skillset to keep it tight.

Poly is living the life of a celebrity. Impossible to leave the hotel without company. Side effects – better handstand and mini depressions(inside story for another time)

One big YES! Bangladesh is colourful with a lot of noise and a little bit of dirt. All there to test your tolerance in all possible ways. You can compare and complain or enjoy the time travel and take it all as a go-with-the-flow challenge – your choice!