BANGLADESH Taste

“A few miles down the Arakan coast, south from Chittagong, lies the resort of Cox’s Bazaar.

Once nothing more than a humble fishermen’s village, since the emergence of Bangladesh Cox’s Bazar has become a major tourist attraction. The reason: its miles of open sandy beach sloping down to the Bay of Bengal. This is said to be the longest beach in the world, and certainly it is as spacious, wild and free as any seaside resort can be. If you stand on the shore you will see in front of you the wide expanse of the sea, grey and turbulent on a stormy day, or calm and blue as the sky when in a sunny mood.

In your mind’s eye you may see the wooden merchant ships which sailed past here in ancient days on their way from Chittagong to China. Turn round, and behold the wooded hills that look down on the beach. A thick belt of kewra pines grows along the coastline, strange palm-like warves with spiny rapier leaves, their roots partly exposed to the air. This maritime jungle has its own unique charm.

At Guliakhali a carpet of bright green sea-grass covers the salty marsh next to the beach. The sight is entrancing and seems like a vision of the lush green meadows of paradise. Wonderful indeed are the treasures of Cox’s Bazaar. Come, brother, come with me to our village home, Embraced by green woodland, deep in solemn shade.
There amid vines and orchard boughs
My childhood hidden lies.

Today I will hunt for it and seek it out. Come, brother, come with me to our village home.”

— Priti Karim.

Interview

Interview with Salam Jones, about growing up as an East End Boy from Bangladesh, travel, coming back to rediscover his heritage and his visits to Cox’s Bazaar and experiencing progress and journalling Rohingya Camp. [30minutes].

at Graam Bangla, 68 Brick Ln, London E1 6RL https://graambangla.co.uk/