Thanks to both the Rotary clubs of Agrabad and Rangamati Lake City, we had an amazing day trip today to the Chittagong Hill Tracts. It was a national holiday (Mohammed’s birthday) so our drive up and back was riddled with buses filled to the brims, crammed with people sitting on the roof with loud speakers blaring preachings as they drove to mosque. It really was quite an interesting sight.

Rotary club
All different Rotary clubs were represented at our tea time with the Rangamati Lake City Rotary

In Rangamati, we were introduced to the Rangamati Lake City Rotary. We took a tour of the lake and enjoyed our lunch at Peda Ting Ting, a “wilderness restaurant.” Our boat ride brought us throughout the manmade lake where we saw local fishermen, ferry boats, tourists boats with families inside, and a clusters of individual islands with houses on them. I was able to spot one solar panel, otherwise these hill people live without electricity, and their only means of communication is through boats.

Boatmen
Local fishermen on the lake

 

RANGAMATI
The view of Rangamati from our boat.

 Joel
We had live Bengali music on the boat, and Joel got up and mastered their "accordion" to play 'Aint No Sunshine When She's Gone'

After our wonderful tour of the lake and our daring drive through rush hour back into the city, we had one more stop to make to end our day of leisure.  We were invited to dinner by Nasreen and her husband at their home in Chittagong. They made a feast for us! All of the Rotaplast volunteers plus all the local volunteers enjoyed a great dinner with good friends. We are so appreciative to Nasreen for all her hospitality.

Feast
Our interpreter, Rayhana, standing with our beautiful feast she and her cousin, Nasreen, made.

 

Mixeddinner
Volunteers from both groups enjoying dinner at Nasreen's home.

What a busy day! Back to work tomorrow!