Bangladesh, India & Sri Lanka

[Corona Man]

Leaving Bangladesh later today. I was obviously aware that I was entering a 3rd world country, and realised it would most likely challenge both my patience and thinking. It’s certainly done that. The difficulty just getting around is unbelievable. Yesterday I went to another export zone and it was a 2 hour drive across Dhaka. At certain times the roads were not much more than dirt tracks, and you can only go at about walking pace. The sheer humanity is overwhelming. They don’t see many westerners in this part of the world so I’ve been copping stares of almost disbelief all week. It’s quite off putting. As for the customers, while the speak reasonable english, their accents and tendency to mumble make it difficult to understand what they are saying. So my Indian counterpart is acting as an interpreter.

Can honestly say, I’ve never looked forward more to leaving a country as much before. No hurry to come back here either!

[Corona Man]

Oh and I forgot to mention the outbreak of Dengue in Bangladesh is claiming 5 lives a day, according to the local paper....

[Corona Man]

After 4 days I’m out of Bangers... well through immigration at least. Found the Priority Pass Lounge and stumped up for 2 hours. No grog!!!!! Bloody Muslim countries!!!

[Wedgie]

Geezus, you will need a holiday after this jaunt!
I'm not putting Bangladesh on my list to visit after your reviews.

[Corona Man]

Geezus, you will need a holiday after this jaunt!
I'm not putting Bangladesh on my list to visit after your reviews.

It’s awful.

[Booney]

Shit yourself yet?

[Spargo]

Shit yourself yet?

You talking to Corona Man?

[Corona Man]

Shit yourself yet?

You talking to Corona Man?

No all good on that front! In Mumbai now and had an ok breakfast, some western choices for a change!

Off to the Indian office now, no doubt that will give me the shits quickly!

[am Bays]

Leaving Bangladesh later today. I was obviously aware that I was entering a 3rd world country, and realised it would most likely challenge both my patience and thinking. It’s certainly done that. The difficulty just getting around is unbelievable. Yesterday I went to another export zone and it was a 2 hour drive across Dhaka. At certain times the roads were not much more than dirt tracks, and you can only go at about walking pace. The sheer humanity is overwhelming. They don’t see many westerners in this part of the world so I’ve been copping stares of almost disbelief all week. It’s quite off putting. As for the customers, while the speak reasonable english, their accents and tendency to mumble make it difficult to understand what they are saying. So my Indian counterpart is acting as an interpreter.

Can honestly say, I’ve never looked forward more to leaving a country as much before. No hurry to come back here either!

See any Richard the Thirds being done?

[Corona Man]

Leaving Bangladesh later today. I was obviously aware that I was entering a 3rd world country, and realised it would most likely challenge both my patience and thinking. It’s certainly done that. The difficulty just getting around is unbelievable. Yesterday I went to another export zone and it was a 2 hour drive across Dhaka. At certain times the roads were not much more than dirt tracks, and you can only go at about walking pace. The sheer humanity is overwhelming. They don’t see many westerners in this part of the world so I’ve been copping stares of almost disbelief all week. It’s quite off putting. As for the customers, while the speak reasonable english, their accents and tendency to mumble make it difficult to understand what they are saying. So my Indian counterpart is acting as an interpreter.

Can honestly say, I’ve never looked forward more to leaving a country as much before. No hurry to come back here either!

See any Richard the Thirds being done?

Haha no. I think that’s an urban myth. The locals tend to squat so it may look like they are punching one out!

They do tend to spit a lot which is a bit rough.

[bertiebeatle]

Leaving Bangladesh later today. I was obviously aware that I was entering a 3rd world country, and realised it would most likely challenge both my patience and thinking. It’s certainly done that. The difficulty just getting around is unbelievable. Yesterday I went to another export zone and it was a 2 hour drive across Dhaka. At certain times the roads were not much more than dirt tracks, and you can only go at about walking pace. The sheer humanity is overwhelming. They don’t see many westerners in this part of the world so I’ve been copping stares of almost disbelief all week. It’s quite off putting. As for the customers, while the speak reasonable english, their accents and tendency to mumble make it difficult to understand what they are saying. So my Indian counterpart is acting as an interpreter.

Can honestly say, I’ve never looked forward more to leaving a country as much before. No hurry to come back here either!

See any Richard the Thirds being done?

Haha no. I think that’s an urban myth. The locals tend to squat so it may look like they are punching one out!

They do tend to spit a lot which is a bit rough.

I noticed the spitting in China. Wasn’t expecting every second person to spit non stop

[Jim05]

Leaving Bangladesh later today. I was obviously aware that I was entering a 3rd world country, and realised it would most likely challenge both my patience and thinking. It’s certainly done that. The difficulty just getting around is unbelievable. Yesterday I went to another export zone and it was a 2 hour drive across Dhaka. At certain times the roads were not much more than dirt tracks, and you can only go at about walking pace. The sheer humanity is overwhelming. They don’t see many westerners in this part of the world so I’ve been copping stares of almost disbelief all week. It’s quite off putting. As for the customers, while the speak reasonable english, their accents and tendency to mumble make it difficult to understand what they are saying. So my Indian counterpart is acting as an interpreter.

Can honestly say, I’ve never looked forward more to leaving a country as much before. No hurry to come back here either!

See any Richard the Thirds being done?

Haha no. I think that’s an urban myth. The locals tend to squat so it may look like they are punching one out!

They do tend to spit a lot which is a bit rough.

I noticed the spitting in China. Wasn’t expecting every second person to spit non stop

Yep, I had to look twice the first time when I saw an elderly lady hock up a massive loogie and spit on the footpath in Beijing. Got used to it after awhile, everyone does it and the taxi drivers are the funniest

[Corona Man]

Out on the pi55 with a few of the lads in Mumbai in a Thursday night... joints going off, Punjabi style!

[am Bays]

Out on the pi55 with a few of the lads in Mumbai in a Thursday night... joints going off, Punjabi style!

Anyone heard from CM, out on the p!ss with the Indian brothers did he open up on Virat Kohli after a few sherbets and is now some where “up the khyber”?

[am Bays]

Out on the pi55 with a few of the lads in Mumbai in a Thursday night... joints going off, Punjabi style!

Anyone heard from CM? Out on the p!ss with the Indian brothers did he open up on Virat Kohli after a few sherbets and is now some where “up the khyber”?

[Corona Man]

Home now. Slept 14 hours last night going by Fitbit!

Thoughts on India. Had I gone there before Bangers I would have said the place is bedlam. By comparison to Bangers it’s organised. Mumbai is big, loud and dirty. Reminded me of Bangkok in as far as there are 5 star hotels, towering over shanty town dwellings.

Indians are used to seeing Westerners so I didn’t attract much attention. Went out for beers Thursday night, the Kingfisher goes ok. One bar had some weird sport on the big screen can’t recall the name of it. It’s kind of like team wrestling.... I will look up the name and see if I can find a link.

Edit: It’s called Kabaddi.

In another bar a few locals realised I was Australian... Ricky Ponting “wery good sir”...

Food. Indian food in India is something else. Even a mild dish is ******* hot!

Hotel. Very good no issue there.

Sri Lanka in October, and at this stage back to Bangers & Lanka in Jan/Feb next year.

[Corona Man]

PART 2 - SRI LANKA

Off to Sri Lanka in a little over a fortnight for the 2nd leg of the sub continent. Meeting a Thai based colleague up there who will do the customer introductions etc. At his request we are staying at the Hilton Colombo - nice!

Leaving on a Saturday afternoon for the 11 hour (urrgghh) plane ride to Colombo. Will spend Sunday having a look around, before 4 days of meetings Mon-Thurs. Fly back out in the wee small hours of Friday, and land back in Melbourne Friday arvo.

I am expecting Sri Lanka to be at least pleasant when compared to Bangers & India.

Pat Pirate, any tips here?

[PatowalongaPirate]

You will definitely enjoy it a lot more than Bangladesh. Sri Lankan curries/stews are bloody delicious and drinking a local Tea is advantageous with digestion.....then go back to the beers. Friendly lot too, but don’t mention Darrell Hair!

[mighty_tiger_79]

Don't break the curfew

[Corona Man]

Don't break the curfew

There is a curfew?