Ibrahim and I take Bangladesh’s most thrilling tuk-tuk rides in this video! From the vibrant and bustling streets of Dhaka, where the energy is palpable, to the breathtaking and picturesque countryside showcasing this incredible nation’s natural beauty, this tuk-tuk journey will ignite your passion for travel.

As we weave through the lively and chaotic traffic, you’ll witness the daily hustle and bustle of Bangladeshis going about their day and diving deep into this stunning country’s rich culture and traditions.

You’ll see colourful markets filled with local goods, hear street vendors calling out, and observe beautiful architecture that tells the story of Bangladesh’s history.

Whether you’re an experienced globetrotter passionate about exploration or just beginning to plan your Bangladesh adventure, this video will inspire you to tap into your creative genius and travel.  

You’ll need effort, patience, and practice, but the rewards will be immeasurable. Don’t be afraid to take risks and embrace your fears. Remember, creativity is not just about producing something extraordinary; it’s about the process, the journey, and the growth that comes with it.

So buckle up, unwind, and relish the ride as we uncover Bangladesh’s sights, sounds, and flavours from our unforgettable tuk-tuk adventures!

Get ready for an experience that will stay with you long after the journey ends as we explore the hidden gems and popular attractions that make Bangladesh a unique travel destination.

Tuk Tuks 

In Bangladesh, Tuk Tuks are tiny, green, three-wheeled cages with a single driver seat in the front and a wide-ish back seat with just enough room to cozy up and violate a Western tourist’s need for personal space.

One exception is if you aim to fondle your new-found friend’s thigh inappropriately — but that’s another matter (perv). I sat next to Ibrahim, so holding hands and whispering in each other’s ear was always a treat. There is nothing like hiding a relationship in plain sight – eh!

If you are lucky, there’s another two-seater facing you with just enough room to play footsie and rub knees with a hitchhiker; Not so lucky if one of them loves garlic or just finished a 14-hour shift at the fish market and sneezes in your face then tries to hork a green alien from his throat through the 1×1 inch wire grid — on YOUR side of the windy cage. — but I digress.

If you have dentures, hang onto them because there’s a reason you’re locked into a welded cage with steel-reinforced wrap-around bumpers. Do you remember riding bumper cars at the amusement park when you were a punk ramming into the smallest kid on the track? 

N95 masks are highly recommended because when you get trapped in an illogical traffic jam, an apocalyptic-looking bus that seems like it rolled off a cliff will stop three feet from your face and power blow a black plume of toxic carbon dioxide directly into your face and fill the cockpit of your tuk-tuk coffin making you want to vomit everywhere. 

Remember earplugs because everyone honks at everything all the time, everywhere! The endless stream of honking monster busses whiz by your ear with little more than 6 inches of space between their meat-grinding frames and your arm. 

Yeah, forget glass windows and enjoy the torrential downpour or blazing humidity. As a Westerner, don’t freak out when a tiny boy tries to sell you a road-kill sandwich at a stop in the middle of the road or an elderly woman begs you to help feed her emancipated child. 

The disfigured men dressed in rags chanting Allah Aukbar and sticking their fingers through our cage got me every time. Ibrahim prefers to donate to the Transgendered souls that work in pairs and attack your bumper car from both sides; they’re aggressive and can outstare a billygoat. — hey, just like the drag queens in Toronto bars. 

Sometimes, it takes about an hour to get a few miles down the way, but don’t worry, you can get across town for peanuts. — who said modern slavery was abolished, but then what choice do these kind-hearted people have? Some have multiple wives and tiny mouths to feed. So pay double the fare in tips, and don’t be a cheap tourist, or mother karma will bite you when you return home.

Oh yeah, I forgot about the bladder issue. 

Stay home if you have the trots or eat local food the day before. Wear a diaper if your prostate is acting up or you feel the urge to tinkle every time you swallow. I gave up being ashamed to carry my roll of ass wipe under my armpit or asking the driver to pull over so I could expose myself along the medium to pinch an emergency loaf — everyone else does it! 

If you are crafty, you’ll wear a lungi and pretend to be changing a tire — but know you ain’t fooling anyone. The locals are masters at giving birth to an alien in public. 

Lastly, if you’ve come to Bangladesh with two large check-in bags, consider taking a four-wheeled Uber or turning back unless you’re Harry Houdini and can twist yourself into local transportation options. 

Wikipedia says…..

Auto rickshaws (locally called “baby taxis” and more recently “CNGs” due to their fuel source, compressed natural gas) are one of the more popular modes of transport in Bangladesh, mainly due to their size and speed. They are best suited to narrow, crowded streets and are thus the principal means of covering longer distances within urban areas.

Two-stroke engines have been identified as one of Dhaka’s leading sources of air pollution. Thus, since January 2003, traditional auto rickshaws were banned from the capital; only the new natural gas-powered models (CNG) were permitted to operate within the city limits. All CNGs are painted green to signify that the vehicles are eco-friendly and that each one has a meter built-in.

See the story on Medium