Ask anyone where the world’s longest and, arguably, most
beautiful natural beach is located, and the chances are they’d say somewhere in
the Caribbean, Australia, Brazil or maybe New Zealand.
They’d be wrong. The world’s longest stretch of sand is, in
fact, located in the southernmost tip of Bangladesh on the Bay of Bengal at the
fishing port of Cox’s Bazaar. Designated as one of the seven new wonders of the
world the silvery sands, known as Palongkee
or “yellow flower,” slope down from a fringe of forest to a shining sea and
stretch for over 93 miles.
In spite of its considerable beauty, Cox’s Bazaar has yet to
become an international tourist hotspot. At home, it’s a different story. During
the winter months around 10,000 rooms in the hotels remain occupied almost
seven days a week due to the huge influx of Bangladeshi natives and visitors
from neighbouring countries.
The area is well-equipped to welcome an international
market; hotels catering for all budgets are in abundance with the gleaming and
sleek 5-star Seagull and Hotel Sea Palace leading the way in terms of luxury, beach
front position, cleanliness and cuisine. Night life may not be swinging yet, but
there are many restaurants serving Bangladeshi, European Chinese and Thai
cuisine and fresh seafood is a major source of revenue.
When we arrived, in early November, it was a week before the
start of the high season and the place was all but deserted. From dusty Dhaka, the road trip to Cox’s Bazar had
taken 18 hours of hard driving (we’d been warned against taking the rickety
planes which operate two or three times a day from Dhaka). Our journey was not for
the fainthearted; kamikaze coaches and lorries are par for the course on potholed
Bangladeshi roads and our safe arrival was down to the considerable skills of
our driver, Selim.
But what an arrival! Through the waving branches of the
Tamarik forest, planted after the end of British rule to protect the town from
tidal waves, we wandered down to a panoramic, jaw droppingly vast vista of sea,
beach and sky that seemed to stretch into infinity.
A neat line of beach loungers topped with umbrellas looked
out to a blue sea sprinkled with dhows and boats; the shore dotted with shell
painters, fruit and drink vendors, fishermen, a few tourists and the odd horse
or two. The only sound was the rise and fall of the waves and the distant
phut-phut of quad bikes as they rode back and forth along the crest of the sand.
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As we were staying at the Hotel Seagull, we had access to a
private beach and the services of a personal guard, who was of more use getting
rid of unwanted hawkers than in fighting off more threatening interlopers (fortunately
absent). The sea was perfectly warm, clean and shark-free – what more could you
want?
A quick quad bike ride up and down the shore and a fully clothed dip and, having purchased an inordinate amount of shell jewellery, it was time to contemplate the horizon and relax – a little known luxury in
Bangladesh.
Cox’s Bazaar is named after Captain Hiram Cox; a
philanthropic captain in British India who earned his place in the hearts of
locals after helping to rehabilitate Arakan refugees fleeing from the Burma,
at the end of the 18th century. Although
the entire stretch from the Bakhali River on the north and the Teknaf peninsula
in the south is best known as Cox’s Bazar beach, I learned that there are three beaches to
enjoy. Laboni - the main beach closest
to town is the busiest in the high season; Himchari - 18km south of
Cox’s Bazar, is a wild place with waterfalls, the famous ‘Broken Hills,’ The Himchari National Park rain forest has many species
of animals including tigers, leopards, Sloth bears and elephants which inhabit the Himchari National Park rain forest. Finally, Inani beach in
the south is known for its more golden sands strewn with rocks and coral, a peaceful lagoon and tall palm trees against a backdrop of lush, green
hills.
With more time available, there’s also plenty of scope for
island hopping. Saint Martins, the most famous of these, lies five miles south
of Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf peninsula. It is the only coral island in Bangladesh and home
to many turtles. A good centre for snorkelling, scuba diving and fishing, the
island is accessible by a three hour ferry trip from Teknaf and there are
several hotels and guesthouses for an overnight stay.
On the last day of our visit, we travelled southwards along
the spectacular coast towards Teknaf and the borders of Myanmar, stopping
en-route to visit Daria Naga where 14-year-old freelance guide, Moyna Akhther
led us through a natural gorge, grotto and up to a panoramic view point. From
there, the far-reaching vista was one of untamed natural beauty. Cox’s Bazar is
a holiday destination, unparalleled anywhere in the world and it’s only a
matter of time before the rest of the world discovers it - make sure you get
there first.
Recommended Hotel at Cox’s Bazar:
Seagull Hotel, +88 02 8322973-6+88 02 8322973-6
