At the hotel I stayed at I noticed on google a cycle shop nearby. They very kindly cleaned and lubed chain and pumped up the tires. This is a very friendly shop (in contrast with the unfriendly shop in Kolkata) and Dipankar knows his stuff. A little bit of chaos in a bike shop- perfectly acceptable.
I was keen to cycle in the Chittagong Hill Tracts a hilly area that has had an insurgency problem for many years but is now quiet. A permit is required and after what I had read online, after much searching found the DC (district collector) office concerned. There I was told that now it is an online process and can take 2-3 days. I am not waiting so forget it.
Not feeling so well I went back to Barisal the same way I came by bus and the pleasant 5 hour launch.
I am headed back to India- hoorah!
Enough is enough and when I am in the mood I will spill my complaints.
