Gulliver's Travels 10/27/2025

DALE SIEVERT (GULLIVER)

Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal         
February 2025

   In February 2025 I took a tour with Lupine Travel to the first two of these three countries.  Then I flew to Kathmandu, Nepal where I spent four days on my own.

Part 1  Bangladesh
   Bangladesh was known as East Pakistan following independence from India in 1949.  That independence also led to the establishment of West Pakistan, 800 miles to the west of East Pakistan.  A 1971 war between India and East Pakistan finally led to the new state of Bangladesh.
   Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world.  It has 171 million people (29 times as many as Wisconsin's 5.96 million) living on 148,450 square miles (2.3 times that of Wisconsin's 65,400 square miles).
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   It is a parliamentary republic, with 91% of the population being Islam and eight percent Hindu.  Its main industry is textiles, and it is the second largest exporter of ready-made garments in the world.
   Very few Americans visit Bangladesh, as well as other Western residents.  Therefore, I experienced a unique situation where so many people were surprised to see me (and my fellow travelers).  So many of them wanted to have photos taken with us, and they were very hospitable and friendly.  

National Assembly in Dhaka

Dhakeswari Temple, built in the 12th Century by King Ballal

Living in a poor country doesn't mean the ladies have to look like "poor Westerners" with ragged pants (to make them look, what?, cool? Not. Editorial comment by DS).

Ahsan Manzil Museum in Dhaka, built in the early 20th Century

Cleaning fish using a knife attached to concrete in the Kawranbayar Market in Dhaka

Mosque in Dhaka

Two boys who were visiting the mosque

Lalbagh Fort in Dhaka, built in the 17th Century. It was closed so we couldn't get close..

EVERY bus I saw in Bangladesh had been in a crash...or two or three.

A college in Dhaka

A beautiful contemplative woman

A beautiful non-contemplative woman

This family asked for a group photo with me.

Panam Nagar in Sonargaon, the thousand-year-old first capital of what is now Bangladesh, with a hundred old buildings still standing

Boro Sardar Bari palace in Sanorgaonn

We took one of these old decrepit ferries on an overnight cruise on the Barisal River, sleeping in a tiny room while mass numbers of "ordinary folks" slept in hallways and decks. Those of you who take "real cruises," eat your hearts out!

Taken from the upper deck on our boat at sunset...in heavily polluted air, explaining why so many people were coughing, I suppose. An experience NOT to be missed!

The melding of "basic transportation" and elegance in attire, often seen in developing countries...but never in Wisconsin.

A small personal craft (houseboat?) on the Barisal River

There are many brickyards along the Barisal River.

Many woodworking shops line the Barisal River in the city of Barisal.

Floating vegetable market in Barisal

I did NOT take a shower in this makeshift public "shower stall."

This man makes knives and various other tools in his small shop.

So, yes, I DID survive Bangladesh and left for Bhutan on this plane.

 EPILOGUE
Since I was a "yout," I often looked at Bangladesh (then, East Pakistan) on my globe and wished I could visit it.  Well, that's another "itch" that I've scratched...and it felt so good.  As I find on so many trips to developing countries, we have it "pretty good" here, so stop complaining so much.

Next up, Bhutan