Shahabuddin Ahmad
Everyone in this country is familiar with Tanguar Haor, a vast 100 sq km wetland located in Dharmapasha and Tahirpur upazilas of Sunamganj District. Also called Tangua haor, it is a place of Asia’s marvellous scenic beauty. It will be of much interest to have a glance at a watervassal named M.V. Tangaur Haor; indeed a worthy tribute to the marshy waterbody which is home to numerous rare and endangered species of flora and fauna.
Hotels and motels are immobile accommodations and well-known to travellers. But a boatel is a floating hotel of a smaller size used in various countries engaged in tourism business. Tiger Tours of Bangladesh have commissioned such a boatel and the name of the outfit is M.V. Tangaur Haor, named after the unique wetland.
To enjoy the serene beauty of Bangladesh, floating in a cruise boat in style, security and modern comforts, the M.V. Tangaur Haor is worth trying both by locals and foreigners.
‘Small is beautiful’ they say. Staying in the watercraft for a few hours or overnight will make one feel that M.V. Tangaur Haor is both ‘small and beautiful’. It offers privacy in the vastness of the open river around and the water sparkles both in daylight and the moon light. The vessel has some modern and eco-friendly facilities such as reversible osmosis technology to stop water wastage, no plastic bottle for service and some more. One can have an extra delight during journey: A genetic dolphin may greet him by popping out of water.
Over 800 rivers and waterways in the world’s greatest river delta, seem to justify the description given to Bangladesh: ‘the world’s greatest water garden’. “What better way to discover the wonders of Bangladesh than in the safety and comfort of the country’s very first floating luxury hotel – the M.V. Tangaur Haor,” says a promotional flyer. The boat takes groups on a leisurely journey across the enchanting waterways of Bangladesh on board the luxury vessel.
Whether relaxing and enjoying the incredible river-life or stopping to enjoy the myriad sights along the way, M.V. Tangaur Haor is equipped to provide a high level of comfort and safety while its expert crew and guides ensure that the river cruise is memorable.
Features
The fully air-conditioned watercraft has 11 guest cabins of various types; each has a bathroom ensuite with running hot water; tap and shower water is Reverse Osmosis (RO) treated; 2 spacious state rooms having private balconies; each stateroom has a TV and a refrigerator; 2 family rooms with bunk beds; one accommodates 3 and the other 4 guests; 7 standard cabins with twin beds each.
The vessel is equipped with solar panels and windmills for generating standby electricity and is protected by CCTV cameras, on board armed security personnel; conference cum lounge cum dining room is commodious with three attached wash rooms. The vessel has accommodation for 25 people for overnight and 50 for day cruises; drinking water is treated by reverse osmosis process and plastic bottles are not used on board; it has laundry room equipped with washing machine and dryer. Two cold storage chambers have been built on board to carry and preserve food items for long voyages without.
All crew members have 1st/2nd class certification; the master and driver are both 1st class certification holders. M.V. Tangaur Haor is the only tourist vessel with a continental chef; who can cook local delicacies and can also serve dishes from around the world.
Safety
Windsurfing equipment on board is available. All persons on board are covered by accident insurance policy; there is a life jacket for every person on board; untreated waste in the river is not disposed; cruises focus on the unexplored areas such as the Haors of Netrokona, Kishoreganj, Habiganj, Sunamganj and the life, culture and history along the rivers of the Brahmaputra-Ganges basin.
Booking
For further information and booking one can contact Room # 605, Rob Supermarket (5th Floor), 22 Gulshan (North) C/A. Circle-2, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh – Tel: +88-01841-455500, +88-01841-445500, +88-02-8834653-4.
Source: Weekly Holidays