WHEN my brother Babu asked me whether we would like to join them
for a weeklong trip to Andaman I was hesitant as we have been travelling a lot
in November, to Goa & then to Mumbai.
Expensive trips they were. I was
in double mind why to waste time and money just to see shores and sea. What enjoyment you get out of this, I thought.
I also was scared as I read somewhere that Andaman especially Nicobar island
there are Adivasi tribes waiting for you to kill you with bow & arrows. I
even dreamt that in the earlier night before we were to go that I was in the company
of tribal and I was tied to a pole horizontally and tribal were holding me to
the fire.
I believe in destiny and if we were to go to Andaman as no
power on earth can stop you from refusing to go. So we were trapped.😏
Before I take you on tour,
I must brief you a little bit about Andaman.
The Andaman Islands are an Indian archipelago in the Bay of
Bengal. These roughly 300 islands are
known for their palm-lined, white sand beaches, mangroves
& tropical rainforests. Coral reefs supporting marine life such as sharks
& rays make for popular diving and snorkeling sites . Andaman Islanders
inhabit the more remote islands, most of which are off limits to visitors.
AREA : 8,249 KM2 Population 4.34 lakhs (2019)
Capital & largest city : Port Blair Average weather 31/32 deg Union Territory
We set out on 7th Morning flight by Vistara dep
11.45 from Bangalore T 2 . Luckily we could get the buggy car inside the airport as otherwise
you need to walk almost half of Port Blair to your boarding counter. We reached
a bit earlier and over and above the flight was delayed by half an hour, WE had left the house by 7.30 am and now
started feeling hungry. Terminal 2 is awesome with many restaurants offering sky-high
rates. We thought we will just have
coffee because anyway Vistara gives you lunch.
But seeing idly we thought we will order a plate (light lunch) 3 idly to a plate and also bought vada which
was not cooked fully. Nevertheless added this expense to our expense list.
We landed in Veer Savarkar Airport in Port Blair at 3.00 pm or so as it takes 2 hour and
20 minutes from Bengaluru. Our Hotel was just 100 meters from the Airport. It was pretty
hot at 31 deg . The airport was not so
big but looking beautiful. Not much to
walk to find out our travel agent with a Placard. We reached the Hotel Lemon Tree within 10
minutes . Hotel was just opposite the Airport. Checked into the rooms and
rested for a while. I checked with the driver who picked us whether it would be
so hot the entire year. He said mostly
hot and not beyond 31 deg. We had two cars one for the luggage and one for us
to reach the hotel. Six of us. The cab guy told us to rest for a while and
said he would come at 4.30 to pick us to take us to “Cellular Jail”.
We visited the Cellular Jail as the cab dropped us 500 meters away . No vehicles allowed there in front of the Jail. When we approached closer to the Jail we found people were in long queue to get into the Jail. We had to show our IDs to enter . Tickets were already bought by our travel agent. Tickets are reasonably priced. So much crowd .
It was quite neat and clean . We were looking for a Guide but could not find any. The Cellular Jail also known as "Kala Pani"was a British colonial prison mostly for political prisoners. Many known freedom fighters were lodged in this Jail. The cell size is too small with only one small window on top for ventilation. It is built in such a way that no prisoner could see the other prisoner, It has 696 cells
We were asked to vacate by 5 pm and were to come back to the jail at 7 pm for Light & Sound show,
Our cab took us to Corbyn's Cove Beach about 20 minutes ride from Cellular Jain.
We were dropped a little far and had to walk 500 meters. Beautiful beach . There was a Tea shop fully crowded. I had tea and bajji . Tea was good But bajji was one waste. Pleasure to walk in the white sand. You cannot walk except with slippers. Sun set point.. Breeze was very pleasant. Good crowd . Lot of coconuts . A floating bridge built on for boat rides. You can get only bhel puri , men carrying bhelpuri on their back. Not so good but ok types. Lot of water sports for youngsters.
We had to go back to Cellular Jail for the Light & Sound Show at 7 pm . So we rushed back . Again the driver dropped us closer to cellular jail as vehicles cannot stop in front of the Cellular Jail,. Already crowd was there in queue waiting for the first show of Light & Sound to be over.
waiting for our turn to go in .
The crowd was orderly , They have a capacity for only about 400 seats for the light & sound show inside the Jail. We already had our tickets and the agent was waiting for us. You need to show your id proof and you are allotted your seats with seat numbers . We got a good location and the breeze was cool, It is in the open facing the Jail . It was an hour show and mind boggling, They portray how our political freedom fighters were treated by the British with running commentary by film actor Late Om Puri. It was an exhilarating experience and it ends with National Anthem. People get emotional and shouting Vandhe Matharam. Geetha tried to take a video but video is banned as one staff came and told her not to.
we reached Hotel back and was dead tired. we refreshed and came down to eat. My friend was waiting down to see me. He is born and brought up in Port Blair, I asked him to join for dinner, Dinner was buffet and was tasting good. I told him we would be back to Port Blair after 4 days and requested him to meet me then. He was working for Ministry of Forest and was once a room mate of my brother in law in Ambala when he was working there in a private firm, He said lot of Bengali population are in Port Blair. He now retired and lives with his wife and children are abroad. He was keen to take me to his brother's 40 acre farm . He thought i might buy😐. I told him when we are back in Port Blair after 4 days we could go.
we slept off and had a nice sleep.
DAY 2 -Port BlairGood well spread breakfast. Had omlette and idly vada sambar poha etc, and good coffee ( I like frequent outing as I get a chance to have omlette and chicken which are banned at home. Very tasty food in Lemon Tree where we were staying, After breakfast the cab was ready to take us to North Bay (Coral Island). Full Day Excursion. It was hot at 31 deg
The island is surrounded by crystal clear cyan cored water with a shallow shoreline offering a magnificent underwater view. What I observed in Port Blair and these islands is , it is well maintained with no one littering anywhere and quite neat. Roads are narrow mostly but well tarred,.
We waited for our travel agent who soon reached and took us near the boat . North Bay doesn't have its own jetty so you will have to get on the island nd board the boats via the floating platform provided by the Govt. It is strong but you need to balance a bit and sideway ropes are provided to walk . The large coral belts under the 2 km radius near the isle with huge coral belts that are protected under the care of Andaman Administration and understand their diving activity sports change every month.
One of the most interesting things about North Bay is that it is featured on the backside of Indian Rs.20 note. Reason is not yet known. Things you can do in North Bay are 1. Scuba diving, Sea walk, Parasailing, Dolphin Glass Bottom Boast, Coral safari Submarine Ride and Snorkeling. None of these are suitable for us oldies so we chose glass bottom boat ride, Charges are exorbitant but having come all the way we wanted to go.. The trip takes you to explore the seas flying through the waves and lets you watch the sea through a transparent bottom . But we hardly felt any such enjoyment as the transparent bottom was not that transparent. Thought it was just a waste of time and money.
The above is the semi submarine. About 400 people can be accommodated. There are 3 decks in this . The upper deck is open to sky, middle one is like a restaurant look with tables and chairs, You have a small eatery in this where you good coffee, tea, cold drinks, samosa chips etc. We tried coffee it was nice,. Rs.50 per cup.. We went to the lower deck where you can see the underwater life . You can see through the big glasses where fish and also moving so freely. You can see coral leaf etc very clearly.. Awesome experience. The journey was for an hour or so . On the tope deck Geetha Malini and Babu danced with other youngsters. It was violently shaking and I was unable to even stand but these folks were dancing, Surrounded by blue clear water the sea was looking so good. After an hour ride we reached back to the same place where we left. We were waiting for our boat to take us back to Port Blair. The boat guy said that the young lady and her husband had taken the cruise now only and that we have to wait for 2 hours to get back, Lot of heated words exchanged but nothing could be done except to wait . After they came the boat left for Port Blair. We reached the Jetty in 20 mins and reached back to Hotel by 6 pm. Rested and had the usual dinner.
Day 3 Morning we had to go to Havelock Island , Havelock island is renamed as Swaraj Dweep after PM Modi visited. 2 hours journey by semi-submarine . We checked out of Lemon Tree around 9 AM and left for Jetty. Our cab guy as usual was there on time. A quick complimentary breakfast at the hotel and we left .
We reached the Jetty again by the tourist agent guys. They maintain absolute timings and are very punctual and their coordination with other agencies like the Jetty personnel is amazing, Such a great network, All youngsters. We had to go through the security (for the first time to get into the Semi submarine). We have to walk at least half a km from the security to reach the platform to get into the Steamer. Our bags were taken in by the boys of the Submarine. No tags given .You just have to give the bags and they dump it neatly in the corner of the ship. Thank God me and Geetha had made our personal tags in advance from Bangalore. It was a 2 hour trip to Havelock island, Fully packed and music on . Coffee snacks available, It was going at a good speed. We were received by our agent there with a Placard and dropped at the Hotel " Ocean Tree Beach Resort & Spa. Looking neat and clean, It was cottage of ground plus 1st floor, We chose the first floor, Spacious room with a big balcony. The room was full of wood work,
Ocean Tree Beach Resort & Spa
we went down for lunch after freshening up. There is a good looking restaurant. We ordered our food and waiting, It took one hour to get the food. Taste was ok types not the one compared to our Lemon Tree at Port Blair. The cab guy said he would come at 4 pm to pick us up to Radha Nagar Beach. 20 minutes drive and reached Radha Nagar Beach.
Radha Nagar Beach
Beautiful Beach with pure white sands Good crowd . All waiting for the sun to set. It was a beutiful view.
All the beaches visited so far have been not only beautiful but litter -free. People are really conscious. Cool breeze and it was heavenly,
Back to Hotel . Geetha found a beach just behind the hotel where we stayed. she spent quite a time singing sitting on a tree.
Resting in the Hotel lawn with Babu
We ordered some pakora and coffee . Nice it was,
Had dinner went to bed after a long day.
Geetha taking a stroll in the Hotel.
We also saw some young Mallus teaching scuba diving in the Hotel.
Next Day in Havelock visited Elephant Beach. We had to go through the boat again. Lot of water sports to see only as it was for youngsters. We roamed around watching people and water sports . Had fruits only for lunch @ rs.200 a plate . wholesome and good fruits.
These fruit stalls were handled by women, The shops are there only up to 3 pm only.
Returned back to Hotel . Behind the Hotel there was a seashore so beautiful. Geetha went and spent time there singing. I was too tired to go.
2nd Day in Havelock island. We visited the Elephant Beach. Just 40 minutes by boats to reach the beach from the Hotel. Lot of water sports activities here. Best place to see the corals.
Back to Hotel.
Next day morning packed our bags and vacated the Hotel . Left for jetty to go to Neil Island
at the Jetty Havelock island to go to Neil Island.
At Havelock before departure to Neil
in the Semi submarine to Neil Island. One hour journey
Neil Island was named after British Brigadier General Neil who had fought on the side of British East India Company in the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. It was later renamed as shaheed Dweep.
checked into Hotel Very Hot. Omg. Symphony Summer Sands. Good Hotel
Visited Bharatpur Beach. Sunset point. White sands, cool breeze. Geetha & Malini did some shopping. Nice beach.
Sunset in Neil Island
in the evening sroll around the hotel. Babu and myself had a few drinks
Dinner was good.
Next Day morning took the submarine back to Port Blair with fond memories of Havelock and Neil islands.
Babu Geetha Malini after arriving at Port blair went straight to Ross island while me, shivam and kamala went back to the hotel as I was sick of islands now 💧😍😍😍
Ross Island. Geetha visited light house .
They returned back for lunch. Evening our friend Selvam took me and Geetha to his house. He took us to the farm house belonging to his brother, A 40 acre farm house with lot of trees but uncared as no one was taking care of it. He thought I would buy the farm 😍 Visited his house and then back to Hotel . His house was very complicated with more railings than concrete but a big one. I was shocked to see the condition of his dilapidated dirty car. 😗😗😵😵
Next Day morning took 10 am flight back to Bangalore with fond memories of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. A must visit for every one. The travel agency was very good with punctuality and quality of service.
Back Home sweet home'
enjoy reading and lets have your feed back.
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