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Chittagong travel guide
article source:wikitravel.org/en/Chittagong

Chittagong is a fairly big, spread out town, and the largest international seaport in the country. Like Dhaka the streets are filled with masses of rickshaws, though the city puts in a little more effort to keep its streets and sidewalks clean. Foreigners will notice a distinct increase in nuisance from beggars and the people are slightly less friendly than in other parts of the country.
The busiest part of town is the area around the train station and Station Road, while things get a little more bearable as you move further north. GEC Circle is the intersection of Zakir Hossain Rd, O. R. Nizam Rd and CDA Avenue, about 3 km north of the train station, and is the center of middle to upper class life with a variety of good restaurants and shopping.
Chittagong is a conservative place. Local women tend to dress in modest clothing and don't like to shake hands with men. This does not apply to the upper class who are very westernised. Local people aren't offended when foreigners don't comply with the expectations of local people. Foreigners drinking alcohol or foreign women wearing skirts which show their bare legs aren't going to upset people. This is true in other parts of Bangladesh and reflects the tolerant and gentle nature of the Bangladeshi people.

In the more affluent neighborhoods like Khulshi and Nasirabad local women are more westernised. The parties that let women have fun are mostly indoors, and Chittagong Club or Hotel Agrabad are fairly happening places at that.
The Chittagonian enthusiasm for inviting people to massive feasts is a bit of legend both locally and elsewhere in Bangladesh. Known as mezbani these feasts feature a tremendously hot curry, usually of beef. If you're not used to it, approach with caution.

By air
Shah Amanat International Airport (ICAO: CGP) is modern and clean and serves as Chittagong's international airport besides domestic services to and from Dhaka and Sylhet. It is the 2nd busiest in Bangladesh. Situated in Patenga, it has international services to destinations such as Dubai, Kolkata, Yangon, Muscat and Bangkok. Formerly known as MA Hannan International Airport, but was renamed on April 2, 2005 by the Government of Bangladesh. Major airlines that serve the airport include Biman Bangladesh Airlines, GMG Airlines, Thai Airways International, Oman Air, United Airways, Best Air and Royal Bengal Airlines.

By train
Trains run to Dhaka, Sylhet and other cities. The main route out of Chittagong runs north to Comilla and Akhaura, from where the routes to Dhaka and Sylhet diverge. The train station is on Station Road just west of Jubilee Rd. Chittagong is a terminal station on the metre gauge eastern section of the Bangladesh Railway. The headquarters of this railway are located here. Train journeys are, in general, cheaper than bus journeys.

By bus
There are 2 spots in the city where the major private companies operate from and have offices - just to the south of GEC Circle on CDA Ave, and on Station Rd near Hotel Golden Inn. Greenline, Silkline and Shohag are the nicest and have frequent services to Dhaka (6 hours) and Cox's Bazar (3 hours). Greenline also offers the only direct bus to Sylhet (Tk 550, 6 hours).

Local buses to Cox's Bazar (Tk 140, 3 hours) run frequently throughout the day from Cinema Palace Bus Station, about 1km north of the Station Rd area.

Chittagong Bus Depot, +031 683423. Schedule and fares By boat
BIWTC has an office and launches its ferries from Sadarghat, about 1km south of the train station down Sadarghat Rd. Barisal is the main destination, from where you can continue to Dhaka.


Wednesday, November 18, 2009

5 of the Most Outrageously Extravagant Las Vegas Casinos Hotels

5 of the Most Outrageously Extravagant Las Vegas Casinos Hotels

1.MGM Grand & Signature MGM Condo Apartment This 30 floor Casino / Hotel stands at 293ft high and consists of five outdoor pools, rivers and waterfalls covering 380,000 square feet. In amongst the complex one can find entertainment in the form of numerous shops offering the latestdesigner fashion and fabulous exclusive gifts, visit one of the several themed night clubs, wine and dine in one of the 16 restaurants. The “Skylofts” restaurant at the MGM Grand was recently awarded the highly coveted AAA Five-Diamond status. If you are in Vegas to hit the tables / slots then you are luck because the MGM Grand has a 22 table non-smoking poker room offering tableside food, drinks and massage services!

2. Caesars Palace Originally built in 1966, this legendary landmark casino continues to re-invent itself year on year, and has now established itself as a haven for gamblers, shoppers, and party-goers with expensive taste! For the utterly extravagant gambler, there is even a themed “Pussycat Dolls” gaming area, where dancers suspended in bronze cages perform to punters relaxing at ground level in leopard-spotted chairs! Caesars Palace is also home to the largest poker room in Vegas which has decor “fit for an art gallery”, 29 live tables with unparalleled tableside service, and a special VIP area where high stakes gambling is the norm! It is currently undergoing extensive refurbishment which is due to be completed later in 2009.The newly built, 23 stories high, Octavius Tower will add 665 new rooms to the complex, in addition to an extra 3 swimming pools and a deluxe ballroom facility.

3. The Bellagio HoteImmaculate attention to detail is blatant from the moment one walks through the doors of the Bellagio Hotel, a regular winner of the coveted AAA 5 Star Diamond Award Rating. Even before you step into the elegantly decorated floral lobby area, one can sense the sophistication from the famous Fountains at Bellagio as they climb high above ground level, assuming there are no dangerous cross winds! Choose to stay in one of 512 top quality suites in a comprehensive hotel consisting of 3,421 rooms in total. You can choose to dine in any one of 20 critically acclaimed restaurants or dance the night away at either The Bank, or Caramel, nightclubs. If relaxation is what you want in Vegas, then the Bellagio is home to a 65,000 square foot Spa offering numerous types of massage and therapy in over 56 treatment rooms, or you could unwind in one of the nine pools or Jacuzzi’s which are set in stunning Mediterranean settings.

4. The Four Seasons Hotel---The Four Seasons Hotel is a unique, tranquil retreat located on the main Boulevard. What makes this hotel so unique is that, while it maintains the glitzy, glamorous traditions Vegas resorts have become renowned for, it is a non-gaming environment (the only hotel on this list which is!). It is well suited to those travellers heading to Vegas for a peaceful relaxation holiday, although should you change your mind, you are never far away from the action. The large, well equipped fitness suite backs on to a lavish pool area where friendly, efficient attendants are always on hand with fresh fruit, sparkling water, and cocktails! A firm favourite for newlyweds!


5. The Venetian At The Venetian one will find newly refurbished, spacious suites available in a variety of modern and contemporary styles. Suites at the Venetian are, on average, almost twice the size of your typical Vegas room and, with a 24 hour concierge service for all patrons luxury really is on the cards at this resort. The Grand Canal Shoppes offers a truly unique shopping experience, where one can take a ride on an authentic Italian gondola, stroll down the cobblestone walkway running adjacent to a canal which is bordered by high quality jewellers, designer fashion stores and award winning dining facilities.

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