Bengali Beach Bliss

The first time WorldTeach Bangladesh ventured to the beach (a beach called Patenga, about an hour, traffic-filled van ride from our apartment) all illusions of quietly reading in the sand, or even just sticking our toes into the Indian Ocean were shattered. Instead, we spent the day being surrounded by crowds who encircled us, asked us to be interviewed for local television, and not-so-stealthily took pictures and video. Ever seen the move when a person stands in front of you so that both of you can be in the picture "together?" Awkward. On the upside we did get to hang out for the local police in the “VIP” tent, but overall it was not the retreat for which we had hoped.

Enter Cox’s Bazar. Last weekend, on WorldTeach’s dime, we took a van over some very bumpy roads (gotta love the back seat – ouch!) for about four and a half hours to reach…serenity. Cox’s Bazar is one of Bangladesh’s top vacation “destinations,” a smaller beach town where the Indian Ocean meets the Bay of Bengal with some beautiful beaches. That’s what I’m talking about! We spent one night at the loveliest of lovely Mermaid Eco Resort (highly recommend and very cheap, by American standards), where we slept in romantic thatch huts, laid in hammocks, ate freshly caught crab and pasta, and finally got to stick our toes into the ocean. 

See the shots below - I almost felt as though I were back in Kosrae. When it's time for another Chittagong respite, I'm buying a bus ticket and heading south.

A welcome coconut...had nuttin' on the ones we got from our backyard in Kosrae, but still a nice treat!

Interesting Mermaid lobby mural.

Thatch roof paradise.

Hammock time! Catching up on my Eugenides and soaking in the quietude.

Our "romantic" bungalow. 

Bridge to the Bay.

Beautiful Bengali beach.

Time to frolic! Tons of children followed us on the beach and then were our heroes in
rescuing our belongings when the tide came up too high, too fast.

Water, water everywhere! (And not a drop to drink).

Catching a boat to a private beach!

Roommates enjoying getting rowed around.

Ladies with their toesies in the silty sand.

Oh hai!