Sylhet is situated at the eastern side of Bangladesh. Sylhet is mainly famous for tea gardens. Besides, Sylhet has so many things to offer. Last December 2021, we visited Sylhet with full extended family. My mother never visited so I decided to take her to this eastern side of Bangladesh. I know the best time to visit Sylhet during the rainy season but it is not possible to roam in the places like Ratargul swamp forest, Bichhanakandi, Sada pathor with the older and children that’s why we decided to take the opportunity to see the beauty of Sylhet in the mid winter season. It’s true there was less water in the various spots but we enjoyed differently.
At first we visited Gowainghat and hired an engine boat to visit the tribes area and flat tea garden. Family members saw hilly tea garden but they were overwhelmed to see the beauty of the tea gardens in the flat lands. They took so many photos and selfies. On the way to the tea gardens, we went through the Khasia villages. Due to the less water in the canal, we had to walk a lot before riding on the boat but the family members still enjoyed. We bought chocolates from the shops which are mostly buying Indian products as the area is very closed to the India-Bangladesh border.
Next day we visited Sada Pathor, Bholagonj. It is 30 kilometres away from Sylhet city. As informed earlier, in the winter season there are less water in the canal so the engine boat had to ply to the definite path where the navigation is much easier. After getting down the boat, we had to walk a bit more to get the water but the whole area looks like a sea of white stones. Various sizes of stones make this area an unique place. The water is usually cold but during winter, it is colder. So many people were taking baths or getting wet with the cold water. Every body was enjoying in their way. We sat on the stones and gossips with each other. I was overwhelmed to see the happiness of my only child and my mother.
And the last day we visited the Sylhet city including Hazrat Shah Jalal Darghah and visited nearby tea gardens. In the night we did some shopping and prepared the luggage for departure in the tomorrow early morning.
We stayed in a boutique hotel named Bottomhill Palace. It is a few meters away from main road near Hazrat Shah Jalal Darghah. It has a few rooms and mostly family rooms. They have complimentary breakfast and room fare is very much affordable. They have facility to provide or arrange vehicle for any tour to the other places. They have both card and cash system. And you have to take prior booking esp.during the peak season. They will ask for a minimum amount for reservation and you can pay it through their merchant bkash number.
Please do visit and explore our country but always try to keep the environment clean and fresh for the sake of our future generation and our very own the mother Earth.
I have given here some photos in the different places in Sylhet we visited.
