Couldn't sleep, so relaxed by listening to Desert Island Discs and eventually slept.
Breakfast of omelette and paratha. With sweet coffee about £1.
Met up with Mahmud, his wife and 9 year old son. Mahmud was mentioned on the Thorntree forum. He had given me good advice and I had sent him money via Western Union to by my ticket for the rocket (old paddle steamer) and pay for the Sundarbans Tour to maybe see a tiger. Which he had done.
I had arranged to move to White House Hotel and he drove me there.
This hotel is so much better- more like a 4* hotel even clean! Still only £13.
Preparations were being made for a wedding and I was asked to sit with the bride while she was being photographed. Later took more photos with some of her guests and relatives.
We all drove to Haji Biriyani restaurant for their one and only dish of their mutton biriyani. As recommended in LP book, as had been recommended by no other than Mahmud. The owner was rather bemused when we showed him his restaurant as being the top tip.
Was introduced to a drink rather like a minty spicy lassi drink which was delicious. I paid £6 for 5 meals plus drinks.
After drawing money from HSBC across the square we all drove to a fancy shopping mall where I bought an embroidered shalwar kamiz for £14 that includes top, baggy trousers and long scarf. Because I still have sensitive skin from the shingles they let out the sleeves for me and that was done in less than half an hour.
Took CNG back to hotel. CNG is a motorised tuk tuk which is caged in. Soon found out why. When stopped in traffic you are besieged by cheeky sellers and maimed beggars. All very uncomfortable.
Dhaka is very very dusty, grey and hazy. I was told that it hasn't rained for months and it is not expected to rain for another couple of months- hence so much dust.
Back at the hotel, I didn't want to eat in the restaurant in fear of being invited to join the wedding party which would have been delightful but I was just too tired.
So stayed in my room and finished off some cheese and pumpernickel- the last of my fridge stuff from home.
Tried to sleep early at 10pm but no chance. So much noise. Even at 1am there was hammering from the street. Listened to very many podcasts.