Winter
10 Most Affordable Destinations in Indonesia: Winter retreats on a budget
When stepping into Indonesia, every globetrotter finds it to be a treasure-trove of islands. A nation adorned with natural wonders, each island tells a tale of its own. Especially the historical attractions along with spectacular beaches hold surprises for winter wanderlusts. Unveiling the budget-friendly gems, this list meanders through Indonesia's winter retreats. These are the most affordable tourist spots in the Indonesian archipelago.
10 Best Budget-Friendly Indonesian Destinations to Visit in Winter
Gili Islands
A trio of small islands off the coast of Lombok, Indonesia, the Gili Islands are famed for their lush vegetation and world-class diving and snorkeling spots. The underwater world surrounding these islands is a mesmerizing sight, easily accessible from any point along the shoreline.
For those considering a journey from Dhaka to Lombok by air, the most economical per-head deal is USD 334 in parity with BDT 36,689.97, with the exchange rate at USD 1 = BDT 109.85.
Accommodation costs per person are generally IDR 146,755 or BDT 1,027.21 (IDR 1 = BDT 0.007), and a day's worth of meals can be budgeted at IDR 49,993 which is equivalent to BDT 349.93.
Read more: Best Asian Alternatives to the Maldives: Affordable Island Getaways
Ubud
Located in the uplands of Bali, Ubud offers a central hub of attractions. The Royal Palace, situated in the heart of town, is free for visitors, and just down the road lies the Sacred Monkey Forest, a popular destination. A bemo ride takes travelers to the famous Goa Gajah, an elephant cave in Bedulu village, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for intricate carvings.
Accommodation costs in Ubud typically IDR 2,142,151 in proportion to BDT 14,993.94, with budget options such as Agung Trisna Bungalows and Inang Villa. The daily charge for food in Ubud is approximately IDR 189,959 equaling BDT 1329.61.
The most cost-effective airfare from Dhaka to Ngurah Rai Airport is USD 252 in parity with BDT 27,682.25.
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Best Free Multiplayer Winter Simulation Games for Android in 2023
As winter approaches, many people seek the thrill and charm of the season through mobile gaming. Whether you are a fan of snow sports, city-building in a snowy landscape, or simply raising adorable penguins in a winter wonderland, there is a multiplayer winter simulation game for everyone on Android. These delightful and immersive free-to-play simulation games can help you capture the magic of winter on your mobile device.
Top 10 Open Source Winter Simulation Games for Mobile Phones in 2023
Alto's Adventure
Alto's Adventure is an enchanting snowboarding odyssey where players join Alto and friends on a journey through alpine hills, villages, woodlands, and ruins. The game boasts graceful physics-based gameplay, procedurally generated terrain, dynamic weather effects, and a one-button trick system. Players can chain combos, complete 180 goals, and explore six unique snowboarders.
Compete with friends for high scores, distance, and tricks. Discover a wingsuit for a new gaming experience, and enjoy minimalist visuals, original music, and immersive audio. The game is free to download on Android, with in-app purchases available. It's compatible with Android 5.1 and up, has over 50 million downloads, and was last updated on November 2, 2023.
"Alto's Adventure" is offered by Noodlecake and has received accolades as one of the best mobile games.
Read more: 10 Best 4K Graphics Cricket Games for Android in 2023
Ski Resort: Idle Snow Tycoon
Ski Resort: Idle Snow Tycoon is a winter-themed game available for free download on Android devices, requiring Android 6.0 and up. This game was last updated on October 27, 2023, and has been downloaded over 100,000 times.
Developed by GGDS - Idle Tycoon Games, it offers an engaging gaming experience with features like building and managing your ski resort, upgrading businesses for increased earnings, efficient park management, and attracting more customers. The game's key features include collecting idle gold, inviting VIP customers for enhanced earnings, and offline play availability.
With intuitive gameplay and beautiful graphics, it's suitable for players of all ages who enjoy tycoon games. The download size for the game is 88 MB.
Read more: 10 Best Free Games Like GTA On Android In 2023
SnowRunner
"SnowRunner" is a physics-based endless snowboarding game created in Unity for a university assignment. The game offers players the excitement of jumps, tricks, scoring, rewarded adverts, infinite random terrain, and realistic physics. You can perform tricks to earn points and increase your maximum speed as you navigate through the endless snowboarding adventure.
Version 3.1 of the game was last updated on October 4, 2022, and it is available for free download on Android devices with a system requirement of Android 4.4 and up. It has been downloaded over 5,000 times and has a content rating suitable for everyone. The game's download size is 21 MB and was released on September 27, 2022. It is offered by Keane.
WinterCraft: Survival Forest
WinterCraft: Survival Forest is a challenging survival game set in a winter forest, where players must build shelters, craft weapons, and hunt animals to survive in a harsh environment. The game offers an open-world winter forest with day-night cycles, changing weather, and the ability to build and furnish a house complete with a bed, workbench, and furnace.
Read more: Top 10 Free Medieval Fantasy, War Games for Android, IOS
Players can gather resources like wood, stones, and branches, craft weapons, tools, food, and clothing, and explore the vast winter world. The game features stylish graphics, scenic views, and a detailed tutorial with story quests. "WinterCraft: Survival Forest" is free to download on Android devices with a system requirement of Android 5.0 and up.
It has been downloaded over 100,000 times and offers in-app purchases. The game contains content rated for teens due to violence and blood. It was last updated on November 3, 2023, and has a download size of 287 MB. It was released on March 23, 2023, and is offered by La Bues.
Snow Town - Ice Village City
"Snow Town - Ice Village City" is an engaging city-building game that offers players the role of a city manager, challenging them to create and manage a thriving city in a snowy environment. Key features include a vast selection of buildings and beautiful snowy visuals, providing hours of enjoyable gameplay.
In this gaming interface, you will need to oversee housing, community services, education, and essential facilities like fire and police stations. Your goal is to build a beautiful city that delights your citizens and showcases your design skills.
Read more: 10 Best Upcoming Video Games to Enchant You in 2023
The game offers a wide variety of buildings and decorations, allowing you to unleash your creativity. "Snow Town" is free to download on Android devices with a system requirement of Android 5.1 and up. The game is rated suitable for everyone, and it was last updated on March 6, 2023. With a download size of 50 MB, it was released on August 27, 2018, and is offered by Sparkling Society - Offline Town Building Games.
10 Bangladeshi Winter Street Foods: Taste Meets Tradition
Winters in Bangladesh bring a unique and delightful experience for food enthusiasts. The cool, crisp air sets the stage for a diverse array of delectable street foods exclusively available during this season. Blending the flavours of tradition and innovation, various winter-special street foods appear on the bustling streets of Dhaka to the serene corners of small towns. Let’s explore 10 winter street foods that tantalise the taste buds of Bangladeshis.
10 Delicious Winter Street Foods in Bangladesh
Chitoi Pitha (Bengali Rice Cake)
Chitoi Pitha, also known as Bengali Rice Cake, is a traditional delicacy of rural Bangladesh. Made from rice flour, it boasts a subtle and aromatic flavour. The history of chitoi pitha is quite old. This dish traces its origins back to ancient Bengal, with documented mentions dating back to the 6th century BC.
These spongy cakes are often enjoyed with spicy chutney and bhorta. Chitoi Pitha captures the essence of Bangladeshi tradition in every bite and represents the rich culinary heritage of the region.
Read more: 5 Tasty Savoury Winter Pitha Recipes for Bangladeshi Kitchen
Bhutta (Corn on the Cob)
Spicy Corn or bhutta is a cherished street food in Bangladesh. This delectable treat involves grilling or roasting corn on the cob and then seasoning it with a blend of spices and tangy condiments.
Bhutta's popularity in the Indian subcontinent dates back to the British colonial period when the British introduced new corn varieties and encouraged its cultivation as a food crop. This delicious snack quickly gained popularity and remains a cherished part of street food culture in India, Bangladesh, and elsewhere in South Asia. It is known for its smoky, spicy, and slightly sweet flavours.
Khejurer Rosh (Date Palm Juice)
Khejurer rosh, or date juice, is a beloved beverage in Bangladesh. It is made from the sweet nectar of date palm trees, providing a naturally refreshing taste.
Fresh date juice is collected by shaving some sections of a date palm tree, and collecting the juice in a clay pot overnight.
Read more: 5 Tasty Sushi Recipes for Bangladeshi Kitchen
Date palm juice was introduced to the Indian subcontinent by the Arabs in the Middle Ages and swiftly gained popularity.
Even today, it remains a sought-after winter drink. This drink is deeply rooted in tradition and continues to be a favourite. It offers a sweet respite to all who savour its cooling embrace.
Bhapa Pitha (Steamed Rice Cake)
Steamed rice cake is locally known as Bhapa Pitha. While the history of Bhapa Pitha lacks extensive documentation, it has roots in the Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent. References to this rice cake are traced back to the early 19th century through Bengali cookbooks.
Read more: 7 Tasty Cauliflower Recipes for Children
This classic Bengali delicacy is made from rice flour, molasses, shredded coconut, and water. This popular snack or dessert is savoured in both the rural and urban areas of Bangladesh during the winter months. Bhapa Pitha is one of the most common winter street foods available during evening to night hours.
Pakora (Fritters)
Pakora, also known as fritters, is a beloved snack enjoyed widely in various cuisines. This crispy treat hails from ancient India, with early variations mentioned in Sanskrit and Tamil Sangam literature, although the exact recipes remain elusive.
Today, pakora has transcended borders and become a popular snack and appetiser, particularly in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. It can be crafted from an array of ingredients, including vegetables, meat, and seafood. It offers a versatile and tantalising addition to culinary traditions across the region.
Read more: 7 Comforting Soups for Upset Stomach
Winter Hair Fall Issues: Causes, and Solutions
As winter draws near, many individuals suffer the seasonal woe of increased hair loss. During the cold weather days, proper hair care is essential to maintain healthy and luscious hair. Let’s explore the reasons and remedies of winter hair loss.
Common Hair Fall Issues in Winter Season
Excessive Hair Shedding
During winter, many people notice an increase in hair shedding. It is normal to lose some hair daily, but excessive shedding can be a concern.
Dry and Itchy Scalp
The dry winter air can lead to scalp dryness and itching. This discomfort can also exacerbate hair fall issues.
Read more: Hair Fall after Pregnancy: Causes and Solutions
Brittle Hair
The lack of moisture in the air can make hair more brittle and prone to breakage, leading to further hair fall.
The lack of moisture in the winter air can render hair more fragile and susceptible to breakage. And, it ultimately results in increased hair fall and diminished hair health.
Causes of Losing Excessive Hair during the Cold Months
Cold, and Dry Air
The cold winter air, devoid of moisture, actively parches hair, leaving it dry and highly susceptible to damage. Without adequate humidity, hair's natural moisture balance is disrupted. This makes hair prone to breakage and other winter-induced issues like hair fall.
Read more: Monsoon Hair Fall Prevention: How to Care for Hair during Rainy Season
Steamy Showers
Steamy showers, although comforting in winter, can contribute to hair fall. The excessive heat and steam strip the hair of essential oils and leave it dry and fragile. This, combined with the dry air can exacerbate the problem and make hair more prone to shedding.
Heat Styling
Heat styling is a common culprit behind winter hair fall. Excessive curling irons use, straighteners, and hair dryers rob the hair of moisture. Such practices make the hair brittle, more likely to break and leads to increased hair shedding.
Nutritional Deficiencies
During winter, nutritional deficiencies can pose a significant threat to hair health. Colder weather often leads to dietary shifts and potentially deprives your body of vital vitamins and minerals crucial for maintaining healthy hair. Such deficiencies weaken hair, making it more susceptible to falling out.
Read more: Which is the Best Country for Hair Transplant?
Stress and Lifestyle Factors
Stress and alterations in winter routines play an active role in hair fall problems. Seasonal changes, coupled with holiday stress, disrupt the body's equilibrium and affect hair growth cycles. This is how increased stress levels can exacerbate hair loss.
Country may witness 70% surplus in electricity generation capacity this winter
More than two-thirds of the total power generation capacity will remain idle this coming winter, as more power is added to the national grid from the private sector pushing up the capacity payment obligation of the government of Bangladesh.
It comes at a time when already the government’s outstanding bills to the private sector power producers has ballooned out to $3.5 billion.
According to the Power Division’s official statistics, as of September 13, 2023, the country's power generation capacity was 27,834 MW including off-grid renewable and captive power, while the highest generated in a day was 15,648 MW.
Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) official data shows the country generated 14,021 MW on September 26, while covering the excess demand by resorting to load shedding of 113 MW.
It means half the power generation capacity remains utilised, while load shedding is also unavoidable.
Read: Japan provides $1500 million to implement Matarbari coal-fired power plant
According to power industry insiders, the surplus power situation will be getting worse in the coming winter with more electricity coming to the national grid from the private sector power plants in the next few months and installed generation capacity may cross 30,000 MW, increasing the surplus electricity to about 70 percent as demand usually dips during the season.
The expected boost to capacity includes 1,224 MW from S Alam Group’s power plant in Bashkhali of Chattagram (of which first unit of 620 MW already came to the grid), 718 MW electricity from Reliance Power LNG-based Plant in Meghnaghat, 590 MW from LNG-based GE-Summit Meghnaghat-2 power plant and 584 MW from LNG-based Unique Group’s power plant in Meghnaghat.
The sponsors of these plants are working hard to persuade the government to allow them to officially commission their plants as all of them are ready for operation. But due to shortage of gas they are not allowed to start operation.
Read: First shipment of uranium for Rooppur nuclear power plant arrives in country
In the meantime, more electricity from some of the recently completed power plants already came to the grid, including the second unit of the Adani Group’s 1,600 MW coal-fired power plant, and 620 MW from the second unit of Rampal Power Plant.
Last winter, the power generation came down to below 10,000 MW with the decreasing demand.
BPDB record shows the generation was recorded at 9,134 MW on December 31 in 2022. Experts believe the generation will remain below 10,000 MW in the coming winter as demand is not increasing at a faster pace.
Though 70 percent electricity will remain idle, the sponsors will get their payments in the form of capacity charges as per their contract with the government, said the BPDB officials.
Read: Climate change and the shift to cleaner energy push Southeast Asia to finally start sharing power
The government is already struggling to keep up with its payments owed to the private power producers.
Officials at the Power Division and BPDB said currently the total owed to the Independent Power Producers (IPPS) is $3.5 billion (equivalent to over Tk 35,000 crore) as of September 2023.
As per contract with the government, the IPPs are facing dual problems with their bills. First, they are not getting bills on time and secondly, they are getting partial bills, but not being able to convert the payment into foreign exchange due to the dollar crisis.
A top BPDB official admitted the problem to UNB, saying that they had reached an understanding with Bangladesh Bank under a mediation of the Finance Ministry that the central bank will provide on average $20 million every day to BPDB to cover its costs.
Read: Power Cell engages top US consultancy in move towards ‘Smart Grid’
“But we’re not getting more than $10-15 million a day,” a top BPDB official told UNB on condition of anonymity as the issue is very sensitive and he is not allowed to speak on the issue.
Energy experts said the country is heading for problems in the power sector and it would have a big impact on the overall economy pushing up inflation further.
Eminent energy expert and advisor to the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) Prof M Shamsul Alam said that with the 50 percent surplus power in summer and 70 percent in winter, the country will be heading towards a disastrous situation.
Read: S Alam Group’s 1320 MW Banshkhali coal-fired power plant starts commercial operation
“There will be a big indiscipline in the power sector as pressure for private sector’s capacity payment will continue to go up while import of primary fuel will be increasing. Finally, it will lead to energy insecurity,” he told UNB.
In such a situation, he said, the only way-out is that the government has to admit first it has done a mistake by giving permission to the private sector for excessive power generation without consideration of the demand and then change the current policy and strategy.
Otherwise, the situation will be more difficult to manage as pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is coming to raise electricity tariff again. If so, it will further push up inflation, he added.
Temperature up slightly, lowest recorded at 8 degree C in Tetulia, Srimangal
Bangladesh saw a slight improvement in the lowest temperature in 24 hours, till 6 am today (January 22, 2023), though a mild cold wave is sweeping over several parts of the country.
The country’s lowest temperature was recorded at 8 degree Celsius at Tetulia and Srimangal in 24 hours, till 6 am today. The highest temperature was recorded at 29.6 degree Celsius in Teknaf during this period, according to Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).
Read more: Mild to moderate cold wave sweeps parts of country
A mild cold wave is sweeping over Rangpur division and the districts of Naogaon and Moulvibazar and it may abate in some places, it added.
Moderate to thick fog may occur at places over the river basins, and light to moderate fog may occur at other places in the country during late night till morning.
Read more: Mild to moderate cold wave may persist for 2/3 days more
Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy skies over the country. Night and day temperatures may rise slightly in Bangladesh.
Mild to moderate cold wave may persist for 2/3 days more: Met Office
Mild to moderate cold wave is sweeping over parts of the country and it may continue for two to three days more, said Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Saturday (January 21, 2023).
Monwar Hossain, a meteorologist of BMD, said temperatures may rise after Tuesday (January 24, 2023).
According to the regular bulletin of Met office, “Mild to moderate cold wave is sweeping over Rangpur division and the districts of Faridpur, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Rajshahi, Pabna, Naogaon, Sirajganj, Moulvibazar, Rangamati, Feni, Chuadanga, Jashore, Kushtia, Barishal and Bhola, and it may abate in some places.”
Also read: Mild to moderate cold wave sweeps parts of country
Moderate to thick fog may occur at places over the river basins and light to moderate fog may occur at places elsewhere over the country during midnight to morning, it said.
The lowest temperature in the country was recorded at 6.5 degrees Celsius in Tetulia of Panchagarh district in 24 hours till 6am today (January 21, 2023). The highest temperature was recorded at 29.0 degrees Celsius in Teknaf during this time.
Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy skies over the country. Night temperature may rise by 1-2 degree C and day temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.
Read More: BGMEA urges the wealthy to help cold-stricken low-income people
At 6 degree C, Naogaon records lowest temperature in 24 hours
A mild to moderate cold wave is sweeping over parts of Bangladesh. The country’s lowest temperature in 24 hours -- till 6 am today -- was recorded at 6 degree Celsius in Badalgachhi of Naogaon district, according to Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).
The highest temperature was recorded at 28.4 degree Celsius in Teknaf during this period.
Read more: 2022 was fifth or sixth warmest on record as Earth heats up
The BMD in its bulletin said, a mild to moderate cold wave is sweeping over Rangpur, Rajshahi and Mymensingh divisions and the districts of Tangail, Faridpur, Rangamati, Cumilla, Moulvibazar, Chuadanga and Kushtia, and it may continue.
Moderate to thick fog may occur over the river basins and light to moderate fog may occur elsewhere over the country from midnight till morning.
Read more: Rains to drench Bangladesh
Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy skies over the country. Night and day temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country, it added.
At 6.2 degree C, Tetulia records lowest temperature in Bangladesh in 24 hours
A mild to moderate cold wave is sweeping over Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions and the district of Chuadanga, and it may continue. The country’s lowest temperature was recorded at 6.2 degree Celsius in Tetulia in 24 hours, till 6 am today (January 18, 2023), according to Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).
The highest temperature was recorded at 29.4 degree Celsius in Sandwip during this period.
Temperature between 8 to 10 degrees Celsius is considered a mild cold wave, 6 to 8 degrees Celsius a moderate cold wave, and less than 6 degrees Celsius a severe cold wave.
Read more: Chuadanga records season's lowest temperature
Moderate to thick fog may occur over the river basins and light to moderate fog may occur elsewhere over the country during midnight to morning.
Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy skies over the country. Night and day temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country, the DMD said.
Meanwhile, a moderate cold wave and dense fog have hit the Kurigram district hard, disrupting day to day life.
Read more: Cold wave: Jashore, Chuadanga record lowest temperature at 7.8 degree C
“A moderate cold wave is sweeping over Kurigram district, and it may continue,” Tuhin Mia, an officer of Razarhat Agriculture Weather Observatory Center, said Wednesday morning.
The daily wage earners are the worst sufferers as they could not go out for work in the district. The temperature dropped to 7.3 degrees Celsius at 9 am today.
5 Healthy Rajma, Kidney Bean Recipes for This Winter
Though Rajma is a very popular dish in North Indian cuisine, it is native to Central Mexico and Guatemala. The Spaniards and the Portuguese carried rajma or kidney beans to Europe. In ancient days, sailors used these dry seeds as the most valuable source of protein. Thus, rajma was brought to Africa and Asia. Rajma is called kidney bean mainly because of its shape and also because that Native Americans used the bean to treat a variety of kidney and bladder complaints. Let’s check out 5 healthy, nutritious, and easy-made rajma, or kidney bean recipes.
Food value of the Rajma, or Kidney Bean
Rajma, kidney beans are amazingly nutritious and healthy. Kidney beans mainly consist of carbs and fiber. They are also enriched with protein. From 100 grams of cooked beans, you will get 127 calories, 67% water, 8.7g of protein, 22.8g of carbs, 0.3g of sugar, 6.4g of fiber, 0.5g of fat, and 30.17g of omega.
Health Benefits of Kidney Bean or Rajma
-Kidney beans help to regulate Blood Sugar. Rajma helps to stabilize blood glucose levels as it is an excellent source of soluble fiber.
-Maintain heart health
-Prevents Cancer.
-Assists to lose weight
-Helps to strengthen bones.
- The paste of kidney beans is used as ointments for rheumatism, sciatica, eczema, and common skin infections.
Read More: 5 Delightful Lasagna Recipes to Add to Your Repertoire
5 Nutritious Recipes of Rajma or Kidney Bean
Rajma Curry Recipe
Ingredients
1 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 onion (finely chopped), 2 garlic cloves (finely chopped), 1 piece ginger (thumb-sized) peeled and finely chopped, 1 small pack coriander, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground paprika, 2 tsp garam masala, 400g can chopped tomatoes, 400g can kidney beans (in water, cooked), and basmati rice (to serve).