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.

Andaman Sojourn - Tribes and Birds !!

Alright then, moving on to day 3. It was going to be a day to nourish and nurture our intellect. There were visits to three museums lined up in the day and a mandatory beach visit. This time it was going to be Chidiya Tapu, the southernmost point of South Andaman.

So, off we were for breakfast at “Kattabomman”. A wonderful place for anyone missing their idlis and dosas. The first stop was the Anthropological Museum. A small and exquisite museum providing information on the various andamanese tribes, their style of living and their tools and weapons. It was exciting to know that there were nearly 10 tribes still existing in the Andaman Islands out of which the most intriguing has to be the Sentinelese. They are supposedly one of the most reclusive people in the world. They are known to have a history of being hostile towards people trying to establish contact with them. And then there are the Jarawas, who have recently started interacting with the outsiders with even their kids gaining access to regular education.

Next up was the Samudrika Museum. Nothing special, except for a Blue Whale skeleton, well half of it. The rest was information on various aspects of ocean life, some more info on the tribes and a mini aquarium. Final stop before lunch -> Fisheries Museum, which enlightened us about the various aspects of ocean life. If you have a couple of extra hours to while away in Port Blair, you can give these museums a try.

Sunset at Chidiya Tapu

Our next stop was Chidiya Tapu. A beautiful beach, blue waters (This is going to become a norm) but the seabed was rocky, and hence we had to restrict ourselves to the shallow waters.  Chidiya Tapu is known for its sunset, and trust me, It most certainly deserves to be known for its sunset. It was a gorgeous sight. Standing by the seashore, with a slight drizzle trickling from the skies, viewing Orange light fading into the clouds, if that’s not bliss what else is.

It was then back to base and the usual chattering away routine. And Of course, the best was yet to come.  

Andaman Sojourn : Where Blue is Beautiful !

Onto Day 2, and this is where the actual fun begins. Lineup for the day – Mahatma Gandhi National Park -> Red Skin Island.  And also an awesomatic lunch.

Mahatma Gandhi National Park was around an hour’s drive from our base.  After a hurried breakfast (Thanks to an inevitable delay in getting ready), we set off on our adventures for the day. We were taken to a jetty from where we took a ferry to the Red Skin Island which was a one hour long journey. The ferry ride was fun, our eyes feasted on some serene views of the backwaters and mangroves (That is what I think it was). I was half expecting a crocodile to turn up but alas! It was not to be.

When I said serene, this is what I meant !!

We were taken in a glass bottom boat, from the launch to the island. Being glass bottom, we could also see some corals and fishes. Yes, some of the corals were red in colour, though not sure if they were enough to name an island after it. If I had my way, I would name it Green trees Island, as that’s what dominated the terrain there.

Snorkeling , now that was something I really wanted to do, and it was finally showtime . Our boat tickets, included a round of snorkeling.  I was given a mask, and I went along with a guide of course (Damn, why don’t I learn swimming). And, IT WAS BREATHTAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL. Beneath the blue waters, It looks like a completely different world. One that is serene, picturesque, peaceful and I can go on with the adjectives and it still wouldn't do justice to the panorama . The tranquility found under water is definitely unmatched. Being able to touch the extremely smooth corals and fish gave me Goosebumps.  The experience for me was just WOW.

So, after spending some more time in the water, we were headed back to Mahatma Gandhi National Park, near which we had the most fabulous lunch in a dhaba. Back to base, freshened up , took a walk to nearby market, did some shopping, dinner , sleep. A tiring ,yet fulfilling day was done with.

PS : The snorkeling experience was way more beautiful than I have put in words here. Unfortunately, I have still a long way to go before I become “Javed Akhtar” enough to bring out the beauty through words :D

Andaman Sojourn - Light, Sound and Much more

A trip had to be planned. A much needed break had to be taken. But when?? Where?? A plethora of opinions started flowing. “Dude, Goa It is”, “No, let’s take a short trip to Yelagiri”, “Nopes, Kerala.. Houseboats, Backwaters .Yes, that’s the place to go”, “How about Ghattikallu, Hill Station, Awesome weather, Campfire, Oh yes!! This is it guys” and blah blah.

And finally after one month full of ramblings, the decision was made. Andaman it was and  everyone was on the same page with this. The plan was made, tickets were booked, and after what seemed like an eternity, It was finally show time baby. The 2hr journey from Chennai to Port Blair was undertaken in an aircraft from the fleet in Kingfisher Airlines. Undoubtedly the worst airplane I have flown in till date (Or maybe, I should just be grateful that they took off). It was largely an uneventful journey, thanks mainly to an omelet listed as a Non Vegetarian meal (Seriously?).

The descent towards Veer Savarkar International (?) Airport, though was much better, giving me some phenomenal views of the Bay of Bengal and numerous islets, one of which just had one tree. Yes, One, SOLITARY tree. Finally we landed , claimed our luggage and off we went in search of our rooms in a guest house. Oh yes, before I forget, The Veer Savarkar “International” airport has to be among the smallest airports in the world. I never thought there could be an airport smaller than Chandigarh’s, but here it was. Hiding away under lapping waves of the ocean and the canopy of palm trees along the shore line.

View from the Corbyn's Cove beach

The plan for the day was to frequent Corbyn's Cove beach and the Cellular jail, with a Light and Sound show as a special attraction. The Corbyn's Cove beach was around 30kms from Port Blair. The roads were beautiful with sea on one side and a small hill on the other. Talk about Scenic beauty. The beach was a sight to behold. Palm trees, blue waters and most importantly, CLEAN. Yes, being a regular to Marina and Elliots beach I had to bring this up.

I also had my first experience of riding a water scooter. The thrill of scooting while scootering on sea water at 60-70 kmph, with some drifts and turns was Awesome. I must thank Mr. IforgotHisName for helping me out with the machine and its mechanics. A walk across the length of the beach was followed by tender coconut for Rs.10. Why do they have to cost Rs.30 in Chennai?

The prisoners would not have had this much fun for sure

So, after some more lazing around on the beach, we were off to Cellular Jail. I was personally pretty excited to check out this particular site just to affirm If it was indeed as bad as It was made out to be.Lo and Behold! By the looks of it, It was. A museum there gave us an insight into the the various torture techniques used in the prison, and the glum fate of the various freedom fighters who had been imprisoned there. The cells were stingy, inhuman.. The less said, the better for just like beauty, grotesque too fails your lexicon.

And, finally, It was time for the Light and Sound show. Again, the less said, the better. For completely different reasons though. None of us could bear it for more than 20 minutes, as it was nothing more than random lights and voiceovers, describing the horrors of “Kaalapani”. The story would have been impressive for sure, but the presentation was unimpressive.

Tip for anyone travelling to Port Blair – Don’t fall for the bait and go to the Light and Sound show. Use that 1 hour scouting for souvenirs instead.

That was it for day 1. Dinner and then back to our rooms, chattering away into the night about completely irrelevant and rubbish topics. Day 2 held bucketfuls of promise in it. The fun was yet to begin.