Kochi (also known as Cochin) is the largest coastal city in the state of Kerala in India. It is known as "the Queen of Arabian Sea" due to its splendid location near the Arabian Sea flourishing in greeneries and natural beauties
Life is all about grabbing an opportunity when one presents itself and that’s exactly what I did, when I found an email in my inbox, one fateful day, inviting me for a 4-day work meeting, across several continents, to Europe. It was one of my favourite, yet least explored destinations in the world — Portugal — and this time, I knew I wanted to capitalise.
Dhaka. The city where honking is the language of the roads, and the heat is a constant companion like that one clingy friend we all have. So, what happens when five Dhakaites decide to swap this chaos for the tropical allure of Thailand? Let's just say, it involves more than our usual dose of adrenaline and an unexpected culinary plot twist.
In my case, reminiscing about standing thousands of feet above and breathing the freshest air this planet has to offer, while the thick exhaust of the 27-number bus blows on my face, does it for me. This is where I can’t help but draw parallels between navigating through Dhaka's unending traffic jams and a Himalayan trek in itself.
The Finger Lakes ― a group of eleven long and narrow water bodies in New York located directly south of Lake Ontario ― is well-known for hundreds of breath-taking waterfalls and dramatic gorges that mesmerise countless visitors every year. These geological masterpieces, in a glacial landscape, evoke emotion by inspiring us to slow down and appreciate the beauty of nature.
The Sundarbans, a land of mangroves, tigers, and... well, mosquitoes, but let's focus on the romantic part, shall we? This time, we swapped Dhaka's ever-present rickshaws and eternal traffic jams for the mysterious lure of the great Sundarbans.
The thought of being solely responsible for my 9-year-old for almost three weeks in a bunch of unknown non-English speaking countries was a bit daunting. However, a voice inside my head whispered; If I missed this opportunity this would be a lifetime regret.
Located on the bank of the Surma River, Sylhet is one of the oldest cities in Bangladesh, having a vast historical and cultural background. Originally part of the Bengal Presidency and later Eastern Bengal and Assam; Sylhet was part of Colonial Assam between 1874 and 1947 when, following a referendum and the partition of British India, it then became part of the then East Pakistan.
And although misadventures such as these can turn you into a storyteller overnight, precisely what I am doing right now, and can serve as a remedy to old age, I have heard, feel free to live vicariously through the horrors of my time to help decide what NOT to do!
On one sunny summer day, during our stay in Germany, we planned a day trip to Reichstag, one of the Berlin's most renowned tourists attraction. Unfortunately, it started to rain, yet we decided to go ahead with our plan.
When it comes to Southeast Asia, tourist destinations popular among Bangladeshis are: Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and after the initiation of visa on arrival, Indonesia (Bali, more or less). Vietnam is becoming somewhat popular in recent years. Cambodia and Laos, however, still don't see a sizeable number of Bangladeshi travellers. Surprising, because the former boasts Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world, attracting over two million foreign tourists per year.
If anyone ever asked me what my lifelong wish was; I would definitely declare that it was to 'travel the entire world'. So you can imagine the excitement I felt when my husband informed that would be making a short trip to paradise island – the Maldives!
Imagine frolicking on a sandy beach by the bluish water of a boundless sea. Chilly pleasant breeze blowing; noisy seagulls flying over; the beauty of the vistas inexplicable and beyond description unless and until experienced firsthand!
The months in-between Joishtho and Kartik of the Bengali calendar are very special, endorsing an amazing phenomenon at the haor areas inundated by vast waterways.
When I touched down in Miami, as part of my first trip to America, there was no telling that I was in America at all. It could have been Puerto Rico or Cuba! This side to America is so distinct with a flavour uniquely its own – you have to see it to believe it.
Have you been to the most beautiful place on earth? I have. And no amount of photography or superlatives can be an exaggeration to its splendour in reality.
We sat at that point for a long time; sprinkling ourselves with the salty waters of the ocean. As we waited, the sky began to turn gloomy and the air slightly windy.
Don't let it dampen your spirit if the weather app forecasts 'a heavy rain tomorrow' or 'mostly cloudy'.