Wefting, warping and teaing, Sreemangal: Random stops on the road to the hIll tracts of Chittagong.

Supposed to see some tea plantations, we didn't, we were running late so it was a whistle stop tour of nothingness

Looked like we were wandering into someones back garden

The area we were in is one where one of the minority ethnic groups, the Manipuris, are living; the women are renowned for their loom weaving skills

It is a vibrant and thriving culture in the Sreemangal area allowing the people involved in the chain to earn a decent living.

Feet

Shuttles

The woven fabric is quite the opposite to the fine silks, this is a heavy cotton based product built for sensible use not adornment.

The finished products, available in many sizes and patterns.

It was time for refreshment

Five glasses of puke and a cup of dishwater
The Nilkantha tea cabin

They say "You won’t find tea like the tea at Nilkantha Tea Cabin anywhere else in the world".

I say, "Thank fuck for that"

Mr Gour has become famous not only in Bangladesh but also around the world.

Tea-maker and tea shop operator, Romesh Ram Gour originally created the layered tea, it now stands at eight layers, eight different colours with allegedly eight differing tastes.

The actual recipe is a bit of a KFC, secret and secretive. The tea is made in varying levels of concentration, tea leaf variety and additions such as milk, sugar and flavourings, similar to oil sitting on water, it's all about the density

Each layer contrasts in colour and taste, ranging from syrupy sweet to spicy clove.

In saying that my cup of black tea looks no more appealing, and remained untouched. I just enjoyed watching the various faces being pulled by my fellow travellers ranging from smiles to frowns to seriously grimacing.