At the Maheshkhali dock, vendors greet visitors with neatly arranged stalls of sweet betel leaves. Shamsul Islam, a 56-year-old vendor, invites people to try the local delicacy. His betel leaves are prepared with a mix of areca nut, sweet spices, coconut, and nuts, priced between 10 to 50 BDT. Shamsul believes that, besides being a treat, betel leaves offer health benefits, making them a popular choice among locals and visitors alike.
