Dhaka’s Heritage Heroes
The Urban Study Group comprises concerned architects and local volunteers on a crusade to protect the heritage and cultural fabric of Puran Dhaka, calling to preserve over 2,500 historic buildings.
The Fishermen’s Island
Dublar Char (Dubla’s Island) is a remote fishing island perched on the very edge of the Sunderbans, at the mouth of the Ganges delta where several mighty rivers empty into the Bay of Bengal. The island, though difficult to reach, is a renowned fishing hub and famous for hosting the annual Rash Mela (Rash Festival), attracting thousands of Hindu pilgrims to its shores.
Travel Destinations for Bengali Litterateurs
February in Bangladesh – the month that resonates with the blood-tinged crusade for the recognition of Bengali as a state language; the month that dedicates itself to the celebration of Bengali language and literature. With the Ekushey Boi Mela (book fair) in full swing to commemorate the language movement of 1952, it is a time to reflect on the literati whose poems and prose have opened a world of wonder to generations of Bengalis, rendering many of us lifelong fans, seeking out every opportunity to learn more about the literary greats. In reading my favourite Bengali writers, I’ve come across several destinations patronised by them. Some of them may be in rather unlikely places, but they are definitely worth visiting.
Walking Dhaka
In my quest to create the perfect walking tour for my friends, I came across a number of tailor made guided tours. Here’s a handy list for when you’re in a quandary like me and need to show a tourist around.
The MasterChef Trail of Melbourne
Flemington, Melbourne. It had only been a few months since I’d moved to this bustling inner-city suburb; its streets lined with quaint Victorian cottages in stark contrast with the ethnic restaurants that plied their trade on the main strip. While out on an afternoon stroll around the neighbourhood, I decided to follow the sounds of what promised to be a heady carnival and turned up at the Melbourne Showgrounds. The annual Royal Melbourne Show was underway.
On the Hunt for Dragons: Hiking through Komodo Island
Dragons exist, and not just on Westeros. Recounting my encounter with Komodo Dragons in Indonesia.
A Taste of the Surreal
Finalist, World Nomads Passport & Plate Food Scholarship 2015 – for the best travel story that transports readers to a new place through food.
Deliceaux Paris
They call it “The City of Love.” And indeed, droves of hand-holding couples flock to Paris, taking in all that the city has to offer. I too am drawn to this city where I indulge in my most decadent pleasures – of the gastronomic kind rather than your general amorous pursuits.
The Land of Fire and Ice: Driving Through Iceland’s Ring Road
sky was an angry gray, the sea a heaving mass; rain lashed against the windows and gale force winds rattled the tiny cabin. I looked out and watched in trepidation as three large figures, hulked across the windswept plain. Three men tumbled through the door of the communal kitchen.