A fair trade I guess, to miss the scenery of a daytime boat for the once in a lifetime experience of taking one of the night ferries from Dhaka to Barisal. The right choice was made. This will be fun, a tiny single cabin, with shared bogs and wash basins. Not to sure when I will next get a shower.
Arriving in Sadarghat ferry terminal on the banks of the muddy brown Buriganga River in late afternoon it was nearly as chaotic as the city centre itself, except here was a glorious sunset amongst the haze and smog that continuously envelops Dhaka
Three tiered ferry boats, anchored ready to sail to schedule, the small hand powered launches oblivious to their presence, ply their trade serving the seemingly endless queues of locals wanting to cross the mighty river
The night comes early, the sunsets by 6pm, the neon lights making the boats look like 70's discos.
In chaos there is order, appointed times for boarding and on we get, seeing the Karnaphuli sail off into the night it must be time to people watch the comings and goings. Strangers like ships that pass in the night.
Last minute snacks from the many vendors and street sellers...... not sure what blue eggs are though, any ideas?
Not such a big selection from this chap, bananas or bananas anyone?
To get onto the quayside everyone needs to buy a ticket an exorbitant cost of about 3 british pennies, but take it in context that is probably a lot to these guys
Supplies being loaded onto the boat to cater for one and all
All aboard that's coming aboard
Putting trust into the driver's most capable hands....... the last serious incident 3 years ago when 32 people died on this stretch of water a collision between a ferry and one of those smaller launches...... and that was in daylight!
Apparently safety standards in the ferry and river trades are virtually non existent and unseen a bit like this little boat
Nuts and their sellers
The lower decks where one needs to be quick to find a space
The cacophony of sounds quite amazing , everyone shouting louder than their neighbour just to be heard
The wise man beds down in a gangway takes out his book and reads himself to sleep
...and off we sail into the night the destination Barisal a mere 70 something miles away, a journey that will take around 12 hours
Just time to join the queue for the watercloset hoping it is not a squat and squit
Was it? pictures are not available on request; the adventure continues
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