Dhaka Sunday June 27, 2004

location > Dhaka & narayanganj category > family
Shitalakhya Treat

Shitalakhya River Cruise by Ruposhi Location: Southeast of Dhaka Distance: About 30km Best time for trip: Throughout the year

WE thought of a sunny day, a springy day for a great time out. Instead, it started raining from morning. The sky looked slate-coloured, most depressing of all. But the monsoons could not deter us and we headed for Demra on The Guide Tours bus that was waiting from the morning.

Looking at the launch moored by the Shitalakhya river, we once again thought of cancelling the plan. It was Guide's smaller boat Ruposhi -- elegantly turned into a tourist boat floating there like a geese. The deck on the roof decked with benches to sit and watch the beauty of the river. But the rain has intensified and who would like to waste such a trip in the launch cabin?

But Khosru was insistent and we stepped onto the launch and inside the cabin. The engine started with a heavy vibration and slowly Ruposhi turned its head towards the open river.

We take a look around the cabin and instantly feel that even with the rain, it would not be a trip wasted. Guide always has its own ways of turning the simple into special thins and so has it done with this about 100 feet launch. Wide and long glass windows line the walls, giving a full view of the river from all sides, soft-cushioned long benches are on the sides while folding beds hang from the wall. The floor is covered with bamboo mat. And most important of all, there is a nice toilet with a commode.

Even before we could throw our backpacks in the corner, the coffee arrived. We sipped on our cups and watched the Shitalakhya slowly go behind us. The rain drops continuously batter on the windowpane. The vision gets blurred and everything looks like a watercolour paining.

The banks look greener than the green. Children frolicking in the water. Occasional boats criss-cross the river with passengers holding umbrellas above their head. A lonely boat slowly moves past us, trailing a huge bunch of bamboo.

Soon, comes in view a string of cement factories with their huge silos shooting into the sky and long belt conveyors. Scores of cargo ships are moored by them, bringing in clinkers and taking out cement bags.

Our guide Iqbal brought out his Spanish guitar and started strumming it away. Towfik stuck a plastic stool between his knees and turned it into a drum. So the songs started. The choice was varied -- from Beatles to LRB. And everybody swung in tune.

But this time, the rain seems to have let up a little. So we went up on the deck. Drizzly drops showered over us and a fresh wind blew our hair. We took long breaths and devoured the rural scenes.

The river takes a slow turn and then we stop moored to the bank. It is a lonely place, at least no human settlement can be seen. It took us no time to dive into the water. We swum wildly, fluttering our arms, flapping feet. And yet, when we looked back, we found that we had hardly moved any distance forward. Instead, strong currents have drifted us down.

So, we took the life buoys and paddled against the current, then we let it drag it back to the launch. It soon turned into a game. We swim ahead and then let us be carried back.

After lunch, we went up sprawled on the deck. We now thank that it was a rainy day, because the scorching sun was absent and it felt really nice to be in the open. The monsoon breeze felt light and cool on our face. And soon, some of us dozed off.

A blow of the launch horn woke us up. We are approaching the Rupganj Jamdani village. Walking through alleys we reach a yard. On the sides are tin-sheds. Inside, men, women and children are working on rows of handlooms set on the ground. The looms are of the most primeval types. But the fabric that is being woven is of astounding quality. We watch the deft hands of the weavers working on the intricate designs, painstakingly slow in progress.

While we watched the wonder, the womenfolk did not waste time to buy a few Saaries they claim at superb bargains. Whatever it is, we lighted the boat with a lighter pocket. The boat sailed again and we watched the beauty of the Shitalakhya by evening.

 

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Inam Ahmed