Shiny Happy People (Chittagong, Bangladesh)

Feb 6^th, 2010 - On Jan 31^st I left Bandarban and headed back to the city of Chittagong. My main reason for lingering in this town was my interest in getting a peak at the infamous ship-breaking yards just north of the city. Once upon a time wandering the shoreline and snapping photos of this area was fairly easy. Not so anymore. These yards are extremely controversial and are seen as a threat to public health, the environment, and the lives of workers employed there. Not too hard to imagine why tearing apart an ocean going supertanker with sledge hammers and blow torches might be a bit dodgy. The operations exist in the developing world (India, Bangladesh, Turkey, Pakistan, etc.) for one reason. It is not a profitable operation in the developed world where regulations get in the way and drive up the price. Not a problem in Chittagong.

I'd read that seeing the area is 'virtually impossible' in the Lonely Planet. Really. It seems folks have become a bit skittish on account of all the hubbub in the press the last few years. I did meet a French couple that met with moderate success in getting a peak. After being turned away at several yards they were finally allowed entry. However, after a few pictures they were told to put away the camera and their exposure was limited. I ran into an Australian fellow at my hotel in Chittagong who also gained entry and managed to snap a few photos with a small camera. This made me a little bit more optimistic but I wanted more than just a few quick shots. I figured I might have to go 007.

At my hotel I met a young male employee that offered to get me up close and personal with the shipyards the following morning. His English was limited and I was a bit skeptical about his ability to get me in but I agreed. What did I have to lose, right? He told me he had a friend working there now and that pictures would be no problem. Intriguing isn't it?