Port city in festive mood

Though it rained on Tuesday, the day after Eid, it could not dampen the festive spirits of port city residents. The recreational places were abuzz with visitors during the last three days since Monday afternoon.

People turned up in droves at the tourist attractions -- the parks, sea beach, Naval Academy Road area, banks of the Karnaphuli and the zoo. 

On Eid day, the Patenga Sea Beach and Naval Academy area saw a huge rush of people, enjoying the festivity with their family members.

Apart from enjoying the beauty of the beach, many were seen riding horses or enjoying speedboat rides on Tuesday.

However, many women and children were having difficulties going down to the beach from the embankment and vice versa, due to the lack of staircases.

“My daughter and son were about to fall down while climbing up,” said Rowshan Ara Hossain, a visitor. “The authorities concerned should have built staircases.”

Another visitor, Tafazzal Hossain, echoed her. “The newly-built seating arrangement has given the beach a new look and made the spot more attractive. But most of us were having problems getting down from the embankment.”

Besides the sea beach, Foy’s Lake Amusement Park was another sought-after place for families and couples during the holidays.

Port city resident Ibrahim Hossain visited the park with his children on Tuesday afternoon.

Sabrina, his elder daughter, said, “I just loved the rides at the park.” Her brother Samrat, meanwhile, was having too much fun with other children to talk to this correspondent.

Ibrahim said, “They [his children] wanted to go out and have fun… this place is the perfect getaway for the entire family.”

Avijit Paul, assistant manager (marketing) of Concord Amusement World, Foy’s Lake, said yesterday’s turnout was higher than the previous two days.

“The crowd was less on Tuesday due to the rain but over 4,500 people visited the park and sea world yesterday.”

Chittagong Zoo was also crowded with visitors. Around 10,000 people visited the zoo in the last three days, Shahadat Hossain Shuvo, veterinary surgeon at the zoo, told The Daily Star.

Port city residents also thronged Shwadhinata Park, Karnaphuli Park, Kazir Dewri Park and Butterfly Park to make the best of their Eid holidays.