"Dhaka: Bangladesh's capital city" Top 5 Page for this destination Dhaka by MikeBird

I was only here for less than a week on business and didn't manage to get out from meetings very much. What I noticed however was the mass of people everywhere, streets filled with activity; rickshaws and two stroke engined taxis, beggars and street traders. The traffic is intense and generally very slow moving.

Amazingly there are some 21st century aspects to life in Dhaka. For example all of the larger vehicles like cars and vans have been converted to run on liquid gas. Petrol and diesel is banned as a fuel. The air pollution would be so much worse without this intervention. The other environmental innovation is the banning of plastic bags. Apparently Bangladesh was the first country to outlaw these bags mainly because of fears that the waterways could become clogged so quickly leading to flooding. As a consequence paper based bags are used and a small industry has developed around the recycling of paper for handmade cartons or cones - particularly useful for holding small quantities of nuts or beans purchased from street hawkers.

It's a fascinating place where your senses will be stretched and your outlook on life challenged. I'm looking forward to a return visit next year.

Apartments in Gulshan, Dhaka

I returned to Dhaka for another week's work but managed to get out and take a few more photos this time. These convey some of the contrasts in the city. They were taken in Gulshan - the upmarket part of the city where many of the Embassies have their residences. The difference between rich and poor here is very stark. Alongside this canal there were some palatial apartments that directly overlook small shacks with no basic facilities.

Market near bus stop, Gulshan Circle

Wherever people are likely to be waiting there are small entrepreneuarial types who set up stalls selling a wide variety of tasty looking snacks.

• Pros:Friendly but very poor people
• Cons:Not for the squeamish
• In a nutshell:Challenging in so many ways