Solo Traveler’s Diary: Exploring Lalakhal, Jaflong, and More…
Thursday night marked the beginning of the weekend, and with that in mind, three of us friends made a spontaneous decision to head to Sylhet. Our plan included visits to Lalakhal, Jaflong, Volagong, and various sightseeing spots within Sylhet.
As it was the weekend, we anticipated heavy traffic, and true to form, our bus was running late. We finally boarded our bus around 11:30 pm. Fortunately, we didn’t encounter any major traffic jams on the highway, and we arrived in Sylhet at 5 am the following morning.
Lalakhal
Upon reaching the Sylhet bus terminal, we spotted a local bus headed for the “Sylhet-Jaflong” route. This bus dropped us off along the Sylhet-Jaflong highway. From there, we took an electric rickshaw to reach Sarighat, where we arranged for a boat ride. The view was simply breathtaking. Since it was winter, the river displayed a vibrant green and crystal-clear appearance. At one point in the river, the water color seemed to vanish. Alongside the river, we also had the opportunity to admire the Lalakhal Tea Estate and Jujuge Garden.
Jaflong
Jaflong, unfortunately, wasn’t the idyllic place we had envisioned. It was teeming with thousands of people, and the water level was disappointingly low, giving it more of a desert-like appearance. However, we were informed that during the rainy season, Jaflong takes on an entirely different and more appealing look.
Hazrat Shah Jala Mazar
After our visit to Jaflong, we had lunch at Pansi Restaurant, took some time to rest, and then made our way to Hazrat Shah Jalal Mazar. This place holds immense sacred significance. It features a large pond, a graveyard of notable individuals, and, most notably, the unwavering devotion of the people is truly astounding.
Keane Bridge
The Keane Bridge is renowned for its clock, which has a remarkable history. According to locals, since the clock was installed, it has never stopped running nor required any repairs.
Hazrat Shah Poran Mazar
Since we were in Sylhet, we couldn’t resist visiting Hazrat Shah Poran Mazar. While it may not be as grand as Shah Jalal Mazar, it’s still larger than your average Mazar.
7 Layers of Tea
We couldn’t miss trying the famous secret recipe at this place, known for its unique tea flavor. It’s more akin to a tea-flavored juice but is definitely worth a taste.
Volagonj White Rocks
On our second day, we arrived at the bus terminal at 7:30 pm. We boarded a double-decker BRTC bus, securing seats on the upper deck, and reached Volagong within an hour.
We rented a boat to explore Sadapathor. Despite the river being quite dry, the views were still awe-inspiring. People had ingeniously constructed bridges using bamboo, which was one of the highlights of our Sylhet tour.
For dining options, we frequented two renowned establishments in Sylhet, Pansi Hotel for lunch and Pas Vai Restaurant for dinner.
For dining options, we frequented two renowned establishments in Sylhet, Pansi Hotel for lunch and Pas Vai Restaurant for dinner.
Our tour was truly amazing, but unfortunately, we noticed plastic bottles and chip packets littered here and there. We urge everyone to be responsible tourists and ensure the cleanliness of these beautiful places.
