Bangladesh

I decided to stop off in Dhaka for a couple of days on the way from Thanksgiving in Hong Kong to Bhutan.  I stayed at the Six Seasons Hotel, which was very nice.

I booked a day tour (just for myself) from Taabu Tours that was very enjoyable.  I especially liked the boatyard where ships are refurbished and old ships are broken up.  This is very hard and dangerous work. One guy was removing rust from the side of a ship by banging it with a ball peen hammer.  Imagine how long that takes.  I got to talk to some of the workers and hangers-on.  Fascinating!  I'm not sure that the boatyard is on their standard tours, so be sure to ask.  And there's no way you would be allowed to visit such a place in Western countries.

Also worth a stop was the brick factory.  Make sure to check out the videos of workers carrying bricks on their heads (and wearing sandals).  They are very strong.