Boats: Bangladesh.

Welcome aboard ship mates, two nights on this luxury liner sailing the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, which stretches from India to Bangladesh, covering over six thousand square miles. But first....

Here is my luxury cabin in its entirety! (well I wasn't fast enough to capture a couple of cockroaches lounging around on the window)

Our driver

and most importantly our chef in his galley, and oh my days did he serve up some amazing food.

The random snaps were taken over the three day voyage, mainly early morning in the mists, though there did seem to be a permanent haze throughout most of the day.

Since 1972 there has been an agreement between Bangladesh and India on Inland Water Transit and Trade, Under the protocol, a few hundred cargo vessels would use the river route of the two countries every month.

In 2023, a total of 8,342 vessels moved between the two countries through this inland water route an average of around 170 a week every week

The cement industry has grown massively and the raw materials are mostly imported from India. The factories are mainly situated on on the river banks, the river route is naturally the most efficient means of transport. Vessels also arrive from India carrying coal, oil, and steel goods.

Over the past several years around 15 vessels carrying coal, and fly ash have capsized, in and around the Sundarbans, causing much concern about the damage being caused to the area.

But as the navigable rivers flow out into the Bay of Bengal they are thus a gateway to the world for ocean going freight.
Money talks

Small sandbank, are seen as home to some people

Life goes on, big boats, small boats, each have their own raison d'être

Aye Aye captain hard to port, ah Fuck!

There are a number of big people carriers travelling up and down and around and about the Sundarbans

Big enough for the six of us, here is our little boat in comparison,

Like I keep getting told. Size isn't everything.

Ho Hum