Going out of Dhaka City for the club members, was the innermost demand of enthusiast travelers. Traveling to Srimongol, a trip to remember, the capital city of tea gardens of Bangladesh has an undeniable cool factor. Following the Covid-19 rules and regulations, all members were ready to travel by heart, soul, and mind. There was a cheerful vibe in the air.
Traveling is a thirst quencher experience of my soul. It touches my heart when there are like-minded travelers around. Travel always gives an individual a lighter moment of life. It creates a cherishable memory. Our recent trip to Srimongol was much needed when you were exhausted from your daily routine work and confined within the city of concreted jungles.
And normally, when we go on a trip, we try to make it as good to great as possible- useful, relaxing, satisfying, and safe. But to execute it, a trip needs a thorough and full-proof plan. Because the reality around us is not so friendly as we think for the travel. Especially when you take the responsibility of satisfying the 50 odd souls in a group tour, it was quite a task, it’s a nerve game, it’s not an easy job and finally, it’s a fun moment if you know the secret how to handle every situation of travel. Thanks to Pandemics so much because I learned the travel blogging tactics through an online course during Pandemics.
My travel blogging mentors are award-winning travel bloggers from Australia and New Zealand.
Sajjad Travelogue
I also developed myself as a travel enthusiast to touch other souls while traveling by hearing their problems and solving those issues. That’s the key factor to succeed.
GETTING THERE I SRIMONGOL, A TRIP TO REMEMBER
You will find options arriving in Srimongol. But I planned a comfortable journey for my honorable members by train. The club office issued an official letter 2 weeks before the travel date to Bangladesh Railway for reserving an air-conditioned coach. It’s a good practice and systematic approach by Dhaka Club Limited. At the same time, you can certainly travel by road with your SUV, but you’ll miss all the group fun for sure. I would recommend if you are in charge of a portfolio, try to loop everyone in a single thread. However, exceptions will be there always and it is okay to have exceptions. It is needless to say, we had so much fun arriving at Srimongol by train. It was a very safe, secure, and well-conditioned chair AC coach.
HELPFUL TIP I SRIMONGOL, A TRIP TO REMEMBER
I’d recommend taking all your camera gear, sports gear (Lawn Tennis & Golf), swim suit, bicycling gear because you have all the facilities over there.
ACCOMMODATION I SRIMONGOL, A TRIP TO REMEMBER
From the beginning of the journey, I was in touch base with 2 hotels. One is The Palace and another one is Grand Sultan. Both are luxurious 5-star hotels. But I had taken the decision to choose Grand Sultan Hotel to accommodate many other activities around this resort that are convenient for the members.
TOUR DURATION I SRIMONGOL, A TRIP TO REMEMBER
Before the tour, I talked to many of our members, sub-committee members. I tried to understand their vibe. That’s why; I kept this local tour duration for 4 days 3 nights with the selection of weekends in between from Thursday to Sunday. So you have relaxing activities. Traditionally, Dhaka Club members always go for tours with their families. That’s the beauty of Dhaka Club Limited and I tried to make it as homely feeling as possible.
DAY 1 ACTIVITIES: 9 SEPTEMBER 2021
WELCOME TO SRIMONGOL
On the day of journey, our meeting point was at Kamalapur Railway Station’s VIP Room. It was really nice to see everyone’s smiley face in the morning. I introduced myself to all the members and their family members individually. Our long-awaited journey started at 11 am. All arrangements for morning tea, snacks, and lunch had been arranged well before while we were aboard. We reached safe and sound in Srimongol at 4.30 pm. After reaching Grand Sultan, they greeted us with Jeera Paani welcome drink and flower bouquet.
“Welcome to Srimongol Honorable Mr. President, The First Lady & Board Members of Dhaka Club Limited”
Elated Management of Grand Sultan Hotel & Resort
It was an honorary welcome to all of us and we checked in without any hassle by 5 pm as scheduled.
WELCOME TO BALISERA VALLEY CLUB
After having snacks at the banquet hall of the hotel, we started our dinner invitation towards Balisera Valley Club. We had scheduled a dinner program at Balisera Club instead of President’s Bungalow due to the fear of rain. Mr. President of Balisera Club and General Manager of Baraoora Tea Estate came to our hotel to usher us all the way to the club. It was a very nice gesture of him. While going to the club, I and Mr Shibli had a conversation inside his car about how to emceeing the program. When we reached the club, it was dusk time but we enjoyed the illumination of the club entry. Our honorable President was impressed by the arrangement of Balisera Valley Club. On the lawn of the club, we were informally introduced to each other. Then we had a great evening hour followed by a sumptuous dinner.
GRATITUDE HOUR
Mike was handed over at some point in time to me after the quiz and magic hour. It was a program of my portfolio. That’s why; I didn’t miss the opportunity of saying my sincere gratitude for justifying my voluntary service to the club. I’m grateful to our Honorable President, thankful to my Board Members, appreciative to our Permanent Members and their family for being a nice companion. It was a moment of absolute honor for me in front of a dignified group of members of Dhaka Club Limited, other guests, and the host of Balisera Valley Club. We all shall cherish the memories for a long time.
DAY 2 ACTIVITIES: 10 SEPTEMBER 2021
LET’S WALK I SRIMONGOL, A TRIP TO REMEMBER
Though it was not mandatory to explore the route for the members, but I do explore morning hours habitually. It is my signature style of traveling wherever I go. I can choose something off the beaten path on my own. On the first morning, I explored the entire resort area for more than an hour. It was very much exercising for me. The pine trees are growing and standing tall on the west valley of the resort. I was ushered to green heaven where a 9-hole golf course, helipad, stairway to the lush valley, resort’s own tea garden were simply mesmerizing.
MEMORABLE FIRST HALF
Breakfast in any 5-Star hotel was always satisfying for your stomach. The morning started just right. Because I always say, good food always changes your mood. With a heavy breakfast, we went for a calorie-burning activity in the Lawwachora National Forest. It was a brief yet fun trip to the landmark railway line inside the forest.
AN INVITATION TO REMEMBER
While going to Mr. Rashed Chowdhury’s dream house through the green forest, it felt, we were heading towards green heaven. The whole arrangement was so immaculate. Mr. & Mrs. Chowdhury didn’t leave any stone unturned with warm hospitality to please every member who visited them. Thank you so much for everything. I’ll remember this invitation for a long time. It was so savoring. Forgetting everything else, I only remember Kachchi Biriyani moment like everyone did. I reiterate my own words, GOOD FOOD, GOOD MOOD.
CALORIE BURNING HOUR
Whenever I take rich food, I go out for exercising activities. One hour working out together at the treadmill and swimming pool was good enough to bring down my curb. I was happy to go for my next course.
HAPPY EVENING HOUR
After a day full of activities, we all gathered at the Banquet Hall of the hotel. It was a closed-door event where no one was allowed except for Dhaka Club Members only. The management of the hotel honored Dhaka Club Limited by cutting a cake before the private party. All the respected club members and their immediate family members enjoyed the musical evening along with dinner and drinks so much. Thanks to Sraboni Apa and her daughter for their voluntary contribution to the evening by singing nice old & new songs. Thanks to Mr. Arman Khan for his voluntary contribution as a keyboardist in the evening. Big thanks to our honorable president for his wonderful rendition of “Ei Neel Monihar” Bengali song. While few of the family members enjoyed movie in the theater. We’ll remember this evening for a long time for sure.
HELPFUL TIP I SRIMONGOL, A TRIP TO REMEMBER
There’s a beautiful garden space and pool side cafe where you can grab a coffee or cocktail for a nice photo moment with your companions.
DAY 3 ACTIVITIES: 11 SEPTEMBER 2021
LET’S HIKE I SRIMONGOL, A TRIP TO REMEMBER
As I said earlier, morning exploration runs naturally within me. With the help of Mr. Shibli, I was able to hike one of the tea estates inside Finlay Tea Gardens. It was so much tiring but the end of a couple of hours of trekking, it was so conquering. One tea laborer from that garden named Sagor gave me company for one and half hours. He took me to the lake area inside the tea gardens and gave me a company to the tea valley. Hiking and trekking to the tea valley and dense forest, I couldn’t probably do that without a guide. With a hiking memory, I started my day with full of energy.
REMARKABLE FIRST HALF
A heavy breakfast was much needed for me after a long hike. After the breakfast, our honorable president got updates from me about the day’s activity and the following day’s departure plan. I shared the itinerary and he advised me to follow few rules which I did till the last minute. Since he’ll leave today post-lunch on that day, that’s why we organized our time accordingly. While other members enjoyed the lake the activity inside Baraoora Tea Estate, Madhobpur Area, and a shopping spree at their own convenience.
TEA SACHET AS A GIFT
Gifting local tea sachets and teas to family members and close associates was always refreshing. I’m so impressed with the variety of qualities of the tea sachet of Bangladesh. At least, we are trying to catch up with international standards but yet miles to go. That’s truly inspiring.
VISIT TO GM BUNGALOW
A good number of members visited GM Bungalow to get the feel of the British Retro Era. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time over there with family and other members. Sipping tea inside the long verandah of the Bungalow, reminded me of the long-gone era of the British Raj.
SAVORING DESHI LUNCH
Selecting the food menus with Director-in-Charge and The Convener together helped me a lot before the trip. We chose different tastes of foods in every alternate lunch or dinner menu at Grand Sultan. I must say that the food quality of the hotel was so very delicious. Members enjoyed this mixed selection of the meals. Out of many items, I enjoyed my lunch with rice, bharta, thick daal, and our very own Hilsha Fish Bhuna. Every member liked the menu very much on that particular day. I overheard that if someone doesn’t have it, it will be a big miss.
ADIEU MR. PRESIDENT
After having lunch together with our Honorable President, he and the first lady left for Dhaka. We all gave them a good reason to celebrate a lighter moment of life together in the last couple of days. Though it was a goodbye from Mr. President but the party was unending in Srimongol.
HIGH TEA AT BALISERA CLUB
As soon as, Mr. President left for Dhaka, we started attending high tea at the club as scheduled. We did so much activity at the club before the sunset. Playing lawn tennis was very challenging. Running to and fro by the tiny tots, kicking football by all and sundries were the reason for perspiration. Enjoying the double rainbow, photographing memories, and enjoying snacks at the end were so very unforgettable.
ENTHRALLING CULTURAL EVENING
We all gathered at the banquet hall at 9 pm after the day full of activities. Without further delay, after a little introduction of the band and announcement of serving dinner, we started the gig. We enjoyed music and dinner together. It was a private musical soiree like the other day but it was performed by an uprising local artist. Sumit and his band performed so well along with local tribe artists who performed Manipuri Dance. The show was scheduled for 2 hours but in the end, it lasted for 3 hours. Everyone enjoyed the time very much.
DAY 4 ACTIVITIES: 12 SEPTEMBER 2021
LET’S BICYCLE I SRIMONGOL, A TRIP TO REMEMBER
As a travel enthusiast, I can’t ask for more. Bicycling 15km up & down through the forest area and tea gardens have deepened my passion for tourism more. Bicycling back and forth to Lawwachora National Forest has quenched my long-awaited thirst to the fullest after Cox’s Bazar-Inani ride. Thank you again Mr. Shibli for arranging the bicycle and a guide for me. A local cyclist, named Shanto gave me company for one and half hours. He took me to the Lawwachora Forest Area by bicycle, photograph and videograph me. With a bicycling memory, I completed my morning exploration which I call my “Signature Traveling Style”.
GOOD-BYE SRIMONGOL RESPONSIBLY
After the breakfast, I completed Srimongol responsibility by paying off all the dues to the respective service providers. I followed up yesterday’s guidance of Mr. President and executed seamlessly with the help of office staff. Thank you all for being a nice company and supported me all the way. After doing all the formalities had been completed, we all started heading for Srimongol Railway Station. Our train was half an hour late from the scheduled time. But all the senior members and their family members rested in the VIP AC Room. While others having mingled on the platform. In the end, waving a green flag by the station master reminded our farewell from Srimongol.
BACK TO DHAKA AND THANKFULNESS I SRIMONGOL, A TRIP TO REMEMBER
All well that ends well. We all boarded safe and sound till we reach Dhaka and home sweet home. After reaching Dhaka, I had a last final call to Mr. President about the trip updates as a part of my responsibility.
I recall my pre-blog here; there could be a learning curve for me if I commit any mistakes unknowingly or subconsciously. At the end of our journey, when I woke up in the morning, I saw thanks messages by all the participants who visited Srimongol to our WhatsApp Group. It means a lot and gives me the right messages. Happy traveling.