Andaman Sojourn : Havelock, Finally !!

Day 5. Leave the best for the last they said. And we most kindly obliged. It was time for the Havelock Islands. An early morning ferry was to ship us to Havelock and we almost didn’t oblige. We made it to the jetty just in time, and set off on the last leg of what had been a monumental tour thus far.

Isn't it BEA-utiful !!!

A two and a half hour journey it was, luckily it was through some picturesque sceneries. Numerous Islets, calm waters, flying fish, visit to the Captain’s station and a few games of cards later, we reached the Havelock Jetty. It at first looked like a normal fishing village, with a few small boats and numerous small shops dotting the shoreline. But we were in for a pleasant surprise. Well that’s an understatement.

We were headed for the RadhaNagar beach, which according to locals was rated the 5^th best beach in the world. Not sure which survey they were talking about, but I wouldn’t be surprised If that were to be true. This beach was hands down the most gorgeous and tranquil place I had been to. Dharamshala might give it stiff competition, but Radhanagar Beach it was in the now. It is a sandy beach , with crystal clear water, waves lapping over each other , seducing you into its arms. Not many can resist the temptation and you willingly surrender to its charms.

Taking a walk along the stretch of the beach, with sun beating down, the waves kissing your feet was always one of my dreams. I was living it here which was immensely satisfying. After nearly 3 hours in the water, we made our way to another small beach, an unnamed one. Though It wasn’t as scenic as Radhanagar, but it was beautiful alright. This beach was the ideal place for a couple seeking complete solitude.

We reached the jetty almost an hour before our ship was scheduled to leave. We whiled away some time in a small cargo boat awaiting our last leg of the journey in Andamanese waters. Just when we thought we had seen it all, there was one more gorgeous sight awaiting us. Sunset by Sea. I have seen orange skies before, but never with the sea at the foreground. Sight to behold.  

Finally, yet another tiring but immensely satisfying day was nearing its end. We were just hours away from catching our flight back home. .To encapsulate the experience, There are memories that bring you joy and then there those that bring you peace. Andaman gave us memories that brought us peaceful joy. The one in which the soul sways in harmony with nature.

Andaman Sojourn : Ross, Viper and North Bay

 “Rise and Shine. Get your lazy asses up. Because today is going to be Awesomeness” .

Oh yes, Day 4 of our journey had immense potential to be the best day of the tour thus far. Did it deliver or what. Today’s plan included three islands – Ross Island, Viper Island and North Bay, with lots of scope for water sports.

After the mandatory delays and a hurried breakfast, we went to Andaman Water Sports Complex, from where we had to board our ferry. First stop -> Ross Island, A half an hour journey.

With the Awesome lady Ms.Anuradha Rao.

Ross Island was initially a British settlement, later captured by the Japanese in 1942. The island then had to be evacuated shortly after the Japanese captured it, due to an earthquake. Hence, one can find the ruins of various buildings in the island, reminiscent of the British and Japanese rule. We had about half an hour to spend in this island, before setting sail to the next island. So, off we were walking around the island and clicking photos. It was here where we met a certain Ms.Anuradha Rao. She was a tourist guide, the caretaker of the animals living in the island and AWESOME. The deers, birds and even squirrels responded to her calls almost instantly. She had given names to most of them, and they actually responded if she called them by their names. And what’s more, Arundhata has been doing this for the past 20 years on Ross Island. If that’s not passion, then what else is? Immense Respect goes out to Arundhata Rao. She made our visit to Ross Island all that more worthwhile.

Next stop was Viper Island, which had nothing in it. Yes, Nothing. Viper Island was apparently the place where prisoners from kalapaani who were given a death sentence, were sent to for their hanging. A sincere tip from my side, DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME IN THIS ISLAND if you ever consider visiting Andaman.

Speed Boat.

Third and final stop of the day – North Bay, known for its corals and water sports. It was a half an hour journey from Viper Island. Again, a glass bottom boat took us from the launch to the beach. A plethora of water sports was waiting for us in all readiness. We were bloody excited. We took the banana boat ride twice and a speed boat. Banana boat definitely takes the cake in the “aaj kuch toofani karte hai” meter. Well it wasn’t exactly as adventurous as in the ads, but for someone who doesn’t know swimming it was crazy fun to be thrown of the boat in the middle of the sea. And it was more fun to make your own way back to the shore.

After nearly 2 hours of fun in the water, we made our way back to Port Blair. It was an extremely tiring day. But we still had one day of our tour left, the much talked about Havelock Island was still to be discovered by us. Exhausted but Excited, we hit our beds.