Comments on: What Do You Want in a Resort?

By: Syeda Jeena

Syeda Jeena — Fri, 03 May 2013 01:53:34 +0000

Dear Ms. Kristin,
Your Panigram project is such an innovative idea to be established in Bangladesh. I thank you from the core of my heart that took this courageous initiative to establish such a luxurious Spa and Wellness that I might thought of in my dreamy world. However, as I am only 23, doing undergraduate program on Economics, and have not married yet, I will obviously tell you something that we the students want in a Spa and Wellness Center. 
However, after finishing the stressful semesters and exams, we the students are fully exhausted. We, then, often feel like to get lost somewhere far from our living place, in an island, which is simply connected with nature.
I feel, you have just drawn that picture of an island that many of us were admiring for long.
* I feel when I enter the Panigram world, I may feel the green natural soft carpet under my feet, I may listen the rhythm of flute, and I may breathe the fresh air, full fragrance of natural flowers and fruits.
* In Panigram Island, I may get the chance to enter the fruit yard and catch monsoon fruits. At noon, I may have the fresh vegetables, green salad, and fish that has just caught.
* I may get a boat ride in the afternoon and feel the cool gentle breeze over the Kopotakkho river.
* I may hear then the local village housewives to choir their songs, which are their pride and heritage.
* In the evening, I may got the chance to watch Jaatra, Baul songs, puppet show, or roam around the village, that I have never been to.
* Each day I stay there, should be covered with different programs and activities that when I leave the Panigram Island I must feel it as a worthy trip and must visit again. 
I have always been a social human being, so I not only want to enjoy there, but also want to serve there in Panigram.
* I can help the village housewives in learning English and as well as I can help the foreigners in learning Bangla for communication.
* As Panigram’s has a great vision of training up the village women in learning how to run a small business and be a self-reliant member in her family. I will help them in learning the tactics of business.
* As they are poor, so they must need loans to start a business, so I will give them idea about microfinance.
* Moreover, there I see a pottery village in the website. I did a project earlier on handicrafts, which includes nakshikatha, and pottery also. Therefore, I will help the potters and the artisans in choosing their best crafts.
I will also help them to know how they can enrich and uphold their culture and heritage through this.
However, I think I have talked a lot about my dreams, but it is your innovative step that has made me thought of so many things and be a part of this wonderful project. 

By: Tanvir Afzal

Tanvir Afzal — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 02:43:55 +0000

We have a baby with us who is going to be 1 yr old. So we need a play ground for my kinds where she also can enjoy and spend time. We are tired of the busyness of life so we need something to relax may be sitting together in a quite place and boating. As we have kid with us so we are also concern about the mosquito which can effect our overall moods.

1. we love the boating(self driven paddel boat)
2. A moonlight enjoyable place where we can sit or lay down on a hammock to see the beauty of nature.
3. child playground (She can also learn new things in nature)
4. Fresh fish and different fish menus (like fish kebab)
5. Fresh and without medicine fruits (may be people can take fresh fruits on demand and provide it instantly) it will be awesome experience for everyone and the taste too.

All mentioned above should not be so much expensive so that everyone can enjoy it within budget. Hope that helps

By: Fida

Fida — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 09:13:49 +0000

I have just joined your mailing list and waiting eagerly for the opening of the resort.

Well, we are an expat BD family of four (two kids, eight and four years old) living outside of BD for years. Our prime motivation to go the resort will be to bring our kids close to natural Bangladesh (which is unfortunately not available in Dhaka). Few things we look forward:

1) River boat tour
2) Perhaps some fishing activities at the river
3) A view of the village agricultural sites from room/cottage
4) Some seasonal food festivals (for example, pitha festival during winter, where village ladies make pita using their traditional cooking way in front of the visitors).

In other words, want to get a feeling of ‘rural and green Bangladesh’, while staying in the resort. Any finally tranquility! No noise and less crowd

Many many thanks for your initiative.

Best,
Fida

By: Nahid

Nahid — Sun, 13 May 2012 16:04:01 +0000

those are some really nice ideas came out from others…but remember that, of-course you can’t arrange competitions/musical programs or any other shows “everyday” for the guests…so to make the place “precious” or “demanding” you can arrange those ideas “seasonal” …it’s obvious that the winter will be the most busy time, but, if you can arrange “special summer programs” (such as boishakhie mela, boat races etc.) in summer on specific date or week (so that you don’t lose visitors in summer) …people might not want to miss it…same goes for Autumn and spring too.

for kids, there should have a kid’s shop and a “pediatrician”…a pharmacy would help the adults…

that’s it..

best of luck…

By: Kristin Boekhoff

Kristin Boekhoff — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 02:18:22 +0000

Thanks for the great suggestions Harun!

By: Major (Retd.) Harun

Major (Retd.) Harun — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 15:32:04 +0000

1. I guess hammock will be liked by all ages.

2. Angling (in traditional Bangladeshi way by a 3/4 feet thin bamboo stick etc )may be a good fun.

3. You keeps some kites and belongings to play with,,,,,, these you can collect from old dhaka.

4. You can keep some indoor games like KARAM BOARD as out door games under some shed.
5. You can keep some sand area where childrens can play with sand,,, like making statues etc with sand…
6. You may keep some date tree. Juice of date tree is a fantastic beverage !!

7. Our rainy season is full of insect, mud and snakes to some extent. So, please keep the floores little higher than the ground and bla-bla-bla….
8.You may keep arrangement of Candy Floss etc for childs and their father like me,,, 9. For winter you may keep badminton playing facilities.
10. 100% and 100% also STRICT i repeat STRICT monitoring/ surveilence system to be introduced to detect any untoward happeningsss.
11. All surrounding area i mean the boundery or perimiter to be heavily fenced by barbed wire and should remain under physical observation 7/24.

12. I love to see birds singing all around. You may please make some small pot/box by unwanted wood/timber and hang those on the trees. Some day, you will find birds looking for you in the morning.

HAVE A GOOD DAY.

By: Russel

Russel — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 06:25:38 +0000

First of all Thanks to Google, today morning while searching at Google about company formation in Bangladesh then found an interesting blog site from Kristin Boekhoff, Thank you very much Krisin for your million dollar information about BOI’s procedures.
I came to know about your PaniGram Resort Project from your blogsite,and when found your panigram website, just amazed for your idea and action.
Congratulations,Congratulations & Congratulations for your awesome project.

I’d like to suggest to consider to add “A Karaoke Place with Bangla, Hindi & English Music”

Oh ya don’t forget to recruit a well trained First Aid Officer.

Wishing you all the best and Double Thumbs up for your innovative idea and project.

Cheers:)

By: Junnun

Junnun — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 16:12:45 +0000

Dear Kristin,

I miss some spelling with my previous me. hope you delete my previous post and keep this one..

I live in Dhaka from last 17 Years and still I am not comfortable with this life. So, when I think about a holiday.. the environment should be calm and peaceful.. there nothing to hurry.. no time binding for go to bed or leave it. Or taking food. there should be a place for children play. they can make horrible noise but that is the sweetest thing ever. I saw few are suggested for the zatra, local songs and other activities.. these are good until they create extra noise than nature with the environment. I love to go to your place with my family to spend sometime. Maybe the cost is little bit higher for us but if we need something good we also have to pay good. Its understandable.

Thanking you. Hope for the best

By: Junnun

Junnun — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 16:05:38 +0000

Dear Kristin,

I live in Dhaka from last 17 Years and still I am not comfortable with this life. So, when I think about a holiday.. the environment should be calm and peaceful.. nothing to be hurry.. no time binding for go to be or leave it or taking food. there should be a place for children play. they can make horrible noise but that is the sweetest thing ever. I saw few are suggested for the zatra, local songs and other activities.. these are good until they create extra noise than nature with the environment. I love to go to your place with my family to spend sometime. Maybe the cost is little bit higher for us but if we need something good we also have to pay good. Its understandable.

Thanking you. Hope for the best

By: Imran

Imran — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 21:25:00 +0000

Hi Owner
We are just newly married and my wife is my valentine. We were in love and suddenly decided to marry without informing our parents due to some family problems. Anyway in last winter we wanted to go for a honeymoon. Unfortunately we faced a lot of problem like transportation, payment policy, security and most importantly no discounts or extra hospitality for new couples.I will demand standard service at a honest price.
I am requesting you to arrange some guest interactive activities like playing traditional game, live music program, and so on. I like the idea of Mishael and your voluntourism. Best of luck