Up at 5.30am rickshaw to bus station hoping to take bus to Teknaf to take ferry to St Martins Island which is the very far southeastern tip of Bangladesh next to Burma/Myanmar. No luck as there is a transport strike. Rickshaw
back to hotel. On the way streets quiet except for loads of riot police.
Was saddened to see a group of very young boys-aged about 10, standing around a burning tyre with heavy sticks. No adults around, the boys were proud of what they were doing.
In the afternoon went down to the beach area again really to get some information re the hartal(strike). I had heard that it might finish at 4pm others said 6pm and Nahid at the hotel said try again tomorrow. He just wants me to stay at their hotel as actually there is a countrywide hartal planned for tomorrow
I found the 5* Seagull hotel and asked for info but they didn't know much either however they said that I could stay there for under £20 so I might treat myself later. Infinity pool and jacuzzi appeals. Asked re massage but for men only. Back to the exotic Silver Shine Hotel -usual fuss and faffing around.
Found that the strike was finishing at 6pm and starting at 6am the next morning, so decided to take the bus that evening to Teknaf the town near the ferry port. As the hotel was letting me use the room past checkout time I decided to have lunch there. A mistake as I chose chicken biryani but the chicken wasn't cooked properly and had to send it back. I have had salmonella before through eating chicken like that and it wasn't a pleasant 5 days.
Took electric auto rickshaw to the bus stand a little early. Was given the usual preferential treatment and invited to sit in a comfortable chair in the ticket office and later given a nice seat near the front of the bus. Maybe not such a good idea, as it was a hairy drive in the dark. Many of the other users such as rickshaws had no lights at all and some of the auto rickshaws just had a light in the middle so you couldn't tell how wide it was.
After 2 hours arrived in Tecnaf and found the hotel recommended in LP. Turned out to be a Pajarti hotel, one of the government run hotels which I had vowed to avoid. Checked in at this over priced place and the rather dull manager tried to talk with me when I just wanted to get to my room. It was 8.30 and I had been up since 5.30. Went to have a shower and the electricity went off. Pitch black and I had only just gone into the room. Groped around in the dark and found my little torch, lit a couple of candles but gave up on the shower as it is too creepy in the dark. So no fan-it was warm and wasn't able to charge my phone/camera.
Next morning I had a moan and got a 20 percent refund and they weren't happy when I wrote a comment on the receipt.
There was a tiny spot of rain, the first time since arrival.
Boarded the ferry and had an enjoyable 2 1/2 journey. Although people were all taking photos as usual. A man approached me and said I ought to register with the British High commission so that they can help me if I get into trouble. He warned me against going out in Cox's Bazaar. Told me that their group had stayed in the hotel for 2 days. Didn't like to tell him that I was out in a rickshaw the previous morning. He then told me he worked for the British High Commission he was the assistant. He also warned me against staying so near to the centre in Dhaka where my hotel is.
Had an interesting conversation with him regarding which British subjects he had to deal with. They were mostly Bangladesh Brits working a land deal scam. The other sort were paedophiles who did not get a long prison sentence, nor were they deported but he would advise them strongly to get away quickly as the relatives would punish them in no uncertain terms.
He was married a few days ago but was travelling with many relatives and friends, for safety,he said.
People on the boat were throwing food out for flock of terns flying alongside which was quite entertaining with their acrobatics.
On the boat I was approached by a tout to stay at Shemana Pereye cottages for £8 per night. At the quay there was another one who had a room in the centre for £2.50 which I had a look at. It was ok but next to family with cheeky children poking their heads through the window. I really need some privacy so went to Shemana Pereye which turned out to be way out of town right next to the beach and absolutely delightful.
I showed some concern as to who my neighbours were and a well spoken English voice said. 'Don't worry we're leaving this afternoon. They were actually 4 Bangladeshi lads who went to a school where all lessons were on English and now there were learning German as well. We all had a delicious lunch of fish etc and then I waved them off on the boat with promises to meet in Dhaka.
Later I walked along the beach watching the dogs playing which made me think of Sach and wondering how she is getting on in the kennels.
I watched the sunset in front of a posh resort sitting on the deck chair with the manager who bought me a coffee and wanted me to stay there also for only £8 as they were pretty empty. I said no as I was perfectly happy where I was.