My friend, Mirza Zakaria Beg, an I) became very excited to know that an organization, namely Activate Bangladesh, is going to arrange a 100km walking program through the longest sandy beach from Teknaf to Cox’s Bazar. The total length of this beach is 120km.
We paid the registration fees (BDT 3500) earlier and, as per instruction, we report at Hotel Seagull, a five-star hotel in Cox’s Bazar town, on the morning of 22 March 2007. In the evening, the organizers brief us about rules, safety, and other details.
Next morning we reached Teknaf. The inaugural ceremony held at Teknaf Jahaj ghata. At 10:45am, we started to walk. About 500 participants were there. It was a sunny day. The Bay of Bengal was at the left and green hills were on the right. On the way, some fishermen were showing placards and banners not to destroy the eggs of sea-tortoises, to keep the world green and to protect all the animal, insects, and plants. We saw huge fishing boats on the beach decorated with colorful flags.
The first camp was at the 19km point. Participants were collecting launch and GO cards from here. We decided not to take any solid food on the walking time. We bought 2kg of carrots to consume on the way. So, we collected only GO cards. At 2:45pm, we reached the second and last camp for the day.
On the second day, we walked 40km from 7am-6pm. On the way, loose sand and scorching heat bored us. At 3pm, we reached the first camp in Patuartek. This is a place of natural beauty with coconut trees and a stony beach. After taking a rest, we started for the next camp at Inani beach. Inani is calling everyone with its beautiful beach full with corals.
On the third morning (25 March 2007) everyone was excited because it was the finishing day of our memorable program. We started at 7pm. On the way for sometime we were bound to walk the marine drive (metallic road). We saw the Himchari fountain, another tourist’s attraction and hundreds of seagulls at Kolatoli.
At 5pm the finishing ceremony held on the Cox’s Bazar sea beach. A TV channel broadcast it live.
We, the 100km walkers, are now the national heroes of Bangladesh.
Quick Tips:
Foreigners please do not walk alone towards the whole beach.
Do not go to the sea water when you see red flag at the Cox's Bazar beach. When you are in remote area, please confirm first that it is now safe to go to in the water.
Best Way To Get Around:
From Dhaka and Chittagong one can go by air or bus/coach. Or by train to Chittagong from Dhaka then by bus.