Following our descent from the rugged hills of Bandarban, we returned to the Chakaria bus station to begin the coastal leg of our journey. We boarded a local Hanif Paribahan non-AC bus, paying a fare of Tk100 per person for the trip to Cox’s Bazar city.
Upon arrival, a rhythmic CNG auto-rickshaw ride carried us down the scenic Marine Drive Road toward Pechardwip, where we arrived at the Moanaa Resort situated precisely where the freshwater of the Reju Khal merges with the sea.
Riverside serenity at Pechardwip
The resort offers several accommodation tiers to suit different travelers, with tents including three meals priced at Tk1,500 per person and pod houses available for Tk1,800 per person. The grounds also feature larger tents, small cottages, aesthetic eco-cottages, and two-storey villas.
After settling into our pod house, we headed to the canal where the high tide had brought the water right to the resort’s doorstep, allowing us to admire the intricately decorated traditional fishing boats.
Lunch was a quintessential coastal feast of fresh sea fish fry served with rice, vegetables, dal, and salad, all enjoyed amidst the shade of coconut trees and a gentle sea breeze.
As evening approached, we captured a stunning sunset where orange hues blended into the blue sky to create a vivid purple tint.
When darkness fell, we ventured toward the Himchari area, a place notably cool and lush with greenery. Despite a brief power cut, we enjoyed music on the road before returning to the beach for a dinner of khichuri, chicken curry, and salad.
The experience felt unique, as the proximity of the beach gave the resort a “Saint Martin’s feel,” with the constant sound of waves acting as a midnight companion.
The following morning began with a breakfast of paratha, poached eggs, vegetable stir-fry, and milk tea before we took a boat across the Reju Khal for a return fare of Tk50.
On the other side lies a secluded ‘char’ between the canal and the sea that felt like a private beach, where we encountered swarms of red crabs and enjoyed two hours of absolute peace.
Exploring Marine Drive Coastline
We checked out at noon, entrusting our luggage to the friendly resort manager so we could maximize our final day. The service at Moanaa was top-notch, characterized by clean facilities and exceptionally fresh food.
We then hired an auto-rickshaw for Tk2,000 for an all-day expedition toward Teknaf. Our exploration began at Sonapara Beach, a quiet and serene stretch with few tourists in sight, followed by a stop at the popular Inani Beach for some light shopping.
Continuing our journey, we reached Patuartek Beach, which is notable for its scattered rocks and coral, offering a more secluded atmosphere than its neighbors.
We then visited Bailakhali Red Crab Beach, where the view of the hills meeting the blue sea was spectacular even though we saw few crabs.
A major highlight was Sampan Beach, filled with traditional fishing boats and fishermen knitting nets, where we finally saw an abundance of red crabs and collected seashells.
By 5pm, we reached the border town of Teknaf. Having skipped lunch in our excitement, we stopped at the Sea Mount Beach Cafe on our return journey to indulge in a massive seafood platter featuring calamari, lobster, grilled salmon, and fried crab.
Final stops and departure
Before departing the coast, we visited the Burmese market near Himchari National Park and did some final shopping at Sugandha Beach. After collecting our bags from the resort and heading to the Cox’s Bazar bus terminal, we reached the station by 11:30pm.
Our journey concluded at midnight as we boarded a double-decker sleeper coach from London Express bound for Dhaka, bringing an end to a journey that stretched from the highest peaks to the furthest shores.
You can find Part 1 of our journey here.
