Into the clouds :: #TeamCheckmate Annual Retreat 2022
It’s our ritual since 2016! No matter what came through, we opted to make the journey possible. An evolution for the past few years, we’re excited to be a part of our 6th Annual Retreat. This time it was somewhat an added excitement as we’re planning to visit “ Into The Clouds : Bandarban ”
Certainly there are some perks but working in the event documentation industry gives a set of added advantage if planned properly, we can schedule in weekdays and in off season! That’s what sparks the excitement a bit more, to explore the unknown in a more serene way.
The journey started a team ride of 20+ peoples the night before we reached our destination. Aroni, after a hiatus of the last two times, joined us with much fanfare. We missed a few of our key members due to personal issues, would love to have them for the fun ride of our Annual Retreat.
There were unusual traffic in places, dawn flares were hitting our eyes when we halted to pick Piyas at CTG. After a nifty check at the check-post nearby Bandarbban, we were dropped off around 7:30am at the Bus Stand. Not to mention we were hungry like anything. After the breakfast which was kind of Ok-ish! we rushed to the resort at no time.
Day 1 was about relaxing and exploring the infinity pool. We had a not so scrumptious lunch and headed to different directions as there were no embargo on what to do. The boys had a rainy pool session into the clouds just before lunch and guess what just after the sun went down, we were starving for a local cuisine dinner.
The night was magical, we had pool time till 2 as cloud after cloud passed through us the whole time, the feeling was out of the world. Interestingly slight warm pool water combined with the breezy cloud and loud vocal singing competition draw the night to a close.
Day 2 was all about Nilgiri or Nil Giri is one of the tallest peaks and beautiful tourist spot in Bangladesh. It is about 3500 feet high and situated at Thanci Thana. If you want to touch the clouds, you will have to go to Nilgiri, Bandarban. At Nilgiri, the cloud will come to you, even you can catch it with your hands.
Not to mention we had a ton of Portrait Session at the greens of Bandarban specially Nilgiri.
Chander Gari & The surroundings was an area of interest for all the participants of the Annual Retreat! Not to mention few of us slept like a log (Just find in the photos). We stayed at Green-peak Resort Bandarban is a luxurious and peaceful resort located just a km before Bandarban City. We might not want to write in detail as there were a few hiccups but overall it was a pleasant experience.
Day 3, we had our bus around 9:30pm that day. Shyamoli NR Travels did a faboulous job from Dhaka — Bandarban — Dhaka, during the returning phase they picked us up direct from the hotel. Some of us had to leave earlier due to unavoidable circumstances yet the experience was fulfilling.
Annual Retreat is a perfect bonding phase for any team. This time we had Lisa & Ananna, for the first time spouses joined us in the retreat. For many it was the first time but we enjoyed to the full, despite some differences in decision making we worked through every situation like a team. Our narrative ends with a whole load of photo dump from the cameras and we’re really looking forward for the next leg in 2023, In Sha Allah!
