Waking up for winter
The chills of a winter morning are deceptive to say the least. The cold seeps into your body the minute your eyes open, promising a wash of invigoration. However, the chill spreads to your toes, forcing you to draw your blanket higher, covering yourself and falling right back to the sweetest of slumbers.
That is winter for you. But one must eventually wake up and face the rigours of everyday life. That's when you realise that winter wasn't meant to be whiled away working. Take a leaf out of most mammals' lifestyles and go on a weekend hibernation. Fortunately, although Dhaka city doesn't look like it has much to offer on the relaxation department, on the contrary the outskirts promise plenty.
Rangamati Waterfront is one such resort, located 40 km off of North of Gulshan. Although newer than most, with a few years of operation behind them, Rangamati Waterfront has eked out quite a positive reputation for itself. The almost 100 acre resort is surrounded by lush, free-growing greenery, reminiscent of the actual Rangamati. While the initial décor has a rustic look to it, the complex itself is modern.
Luxury Suites, King Size Luxury and Super Twin are the three kinds of room up for rent. There are two swimming pools awaiting use, whilst a natural water body lies in the distance. A 3D theatre is touted as one of the attractions but is yet to be opened. There are large open fields surrounded by forests, hammocks dotting tiny hillocks and an open playing area. A well-reviewed restaurant also serves high-quality food, setting one back around a Tk. 1000 for a proper meal. The room rates vary but a 24-hour helpline is available to answer every query that may arise.
A safer option in terms of reputation alone may be Jamuna Resort. One of the more famous resorts of the city, Jamuna Resort is indeed a sight to see during the winter. Although offering more sights during the rainy season, especially that of the water monitor lizards, winter at Jamuna Resort isn't too shabby either.
The resort is as large as it gets, offering plenty of activities. Regular room rates start from Tk. 5700 and go up to Tk. 10900. The cottages, on the other hand, start from Tk. 9800 and go up to Tk. 13750. The resort offers plenty of activities. The Bangabandhu Bridge in the distance offers spectacular views, while walkways around the resort offer even better views of the mighty river. Fishing and boating are two options available but it is the sights themselves that seal the deal. A surreal chill envelopes in the resort at night, with gardens transforming into menageries of dew and mist. If the sights aren't to your taste, then there's always basketball, football or cricket to be played.
A museum within the premises is another great place to learn and pass the time but it's the rooms themselves that take the cake. If relaxation is your plan, then the rooms are comfortable enough to offer just that. The only complaint though maybe the food and how pricey it tends to get. For the budget conscious, there is a restaurant a ten minute walk away from the resort that offers comparably better food.
Maybe it's the Bengali in us, but winter draws most of us near the water. If that's the case for you, then you best pack your bags for Nokkhotrobari Resorts. A brainchild of architect and film-maker Tauqir Ahmed and his wife Bipasha Hayat, Nokkhotrobari is as close to the water as you can get in the city. Their Tk. 30000++ priced water bungalows are a treat both for the eye and the restless soul. With the entire resort located in the heart of a village, city sounds are a distant memory and the stars seem to swallow the whole sky at night making for quite a view.
The mists cling to the water till the early hours of the morning while the nights promise to turn every word into a puff of visible air. Other room rates for single or double rooms start from Tk. 5000++ and go up to Tk. 8500++ for couples. Fishing, boating, use of Jacuzzi and a kid's zone are all on offer at this resort. If you haven't visited it yet, do pay it a visit, even if only for a day long trip.
So take a weekend off or a week if possible and spend winter the way it was meant to be spent; hibernating under your blankets in a remote corner of the country, surrounded by your loved ones and a good book. What else can make a better memory?
Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed
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