Andaman tour -2014
I share my memorable tour experience of Andaman islands in October 2014.
We booked a goair flight from Ahmedabad to Chennai departing at 10 pm. Reached Chennai at 12.30 night. Passed night on the airport itself. We had a flight at 7 am to Port Blair so took coffee and breakfast, got ready washing face on airport sinks! Travelling over vast blue sea for two hours was an experience worth remembering.
From the plane coming near to Port Blair.
Day 1
Reached Port Blair around 9 am and to our hotel by 9.30 am. We were served pomegranate and orange juices as welcome drink. We were asked to rest for a while, have our meals and to get ready by 1 pm. Then we were taken to the Ross islands, a place near Port Blair. From there we had to visit local beach.
So, we started our Day 1.
the trip started with lot of beautiful scenes greeting us at Port Blair..
Visited Ross island first. It has old homes of the Britishers, some abandoned church and a beautiful vast garden. Small deers were freely moving among the visitors and they held and cuddled them like dog puppies. Nearby is a beach full of white sand. It is bordered by mangroves nearby. After passing almost two hours there we went near the jetty from where we were to get our boat back. It was time so had tea and snacks. All types of Indian snacks are available but prices are high. Even a cup of tea was priced 40 rs. In 2014.
From there we departed by 3.45 pm. We reached the local beach of Port Blair city. It was well maintained. It had curved benches with towels for rest, on payment of money, rs.20 for maximum an hour. As I remember, maintained by Port Blair city administration. We chose to dip our legs and to sit on the beach sand. By 4.50 it was sunset and nothing like dusk, 'sandhya'. Immediately after the sunset it was dark. We were brought out near a round building called 'Gol ghar'. It was the main market of the city. We said good night in the hotel and immediately surrendered to the sleep as on the previous night we had been awake on the airport.
The 1st day went really well. Next day there was a cruise tour and much more of a blue sea water journey..
Day 2
Visited port Blair city, famous cellular jail and Havelock island.
Visited Radhanagar beach and stayed in a resort.
The jail reminds us of the pain suffered by our freedom fighters. A guide explains how the inmates were kept, punished, hanged and cremated there only. A big, over 150 years old pipal tree is said to be the witness of all. It is moved and transplanted in the jail premises itself. There is a sound and light show at night.
Then we visited Sagarika museum showing life of local Jarawa adivasis, typical boats of the area and the culture on the island. Outside the museum tasted yellow cocoanut water.
A view from above the cellular jail. The blue roof is that of a hospital converted from jail barracks.
In the evening we went to Radhanagar beach. We had to walk for about 20minutes from our resort but the beach was fabulous. Even at my age 58 then, I jumped over the coming sea waves.had a very nice time.
By 4.45 pm. again it was extremely dark. Somewhat terrifying. We had to use mobile torches on way to our resort.
In the night it rained very heavily. The sound of water falling on big leaved trees was reminding of a roaring fall.
Saw new type of singing birds in the morning. Here sunrise takes place at 5.15am and sunset at 4.45! On Radha nagar beach, a guard started whistling to come out at 4.45 and by 5.15 it was absolutely dark night. Enjoyed stay at that Andaman resort.
Here the administration has given land at very cheap rates and developed vast farms of sugar, cocoanut, rice, supari and perhaps tea plantation. There is a post office, a CBSE school, some good private bungalows and govt. offices.
Day 3
Next morning we visited Bharatpur beach.
Experienced underwater walk at rs. 3200 for 20 min walk below the sea waters. But saw parwala, fishes of different colors. We could touch them. It was crowded even at that price. Snorkeling requires taking breath from mouth when you enter beneath water. I could not do it but my son could and so he could see colorful underwater life better than shown in discovery channel documentaries.
Inside the waters, wearing a 30.kg. helmet and breathing from an oxygen pipe we have to be with the trained guides. We are not able to distinguish where the shore ends and the deep sea begins. The shore inside can be upto 30 feet deep but the real sea is unfathomable. May be, 3000 feet! Even 15 ft. below a beautiful marine world exists. Sea here is very transparent.
Inside the steamer.
Day 4
It was my first time steamer journey to and fro neil island. Here we saw dolfins, flying fish, different colors of the sea from our deck.
Then we were taken to another beach. The sea was very transparent there. Had actual "sea walk" appx half a km. Inside sea with water not above my chest on Bharatpur beach. Ross island or Radhangar beach has white sand and the water is absolutely clean.
Day 5
This was our final day here. We wanted to see Chala than sawmills but were told today visits there are closed.
We were offered a tour to Jarawa dwellings and to Baratang stegmalite caves departing 4 am or 5 am. as entry into the road closes by 7 am. We started by 5 am tour. Better to start by 4 am else in return you will be in tension and will have to rush. If you miss the last boat from Baratang departing 3 pm there is no place to stay overnight.
Amazing but tiring final day.
Today's visit was to stalagmite caves, Baratang.
In a closed taxi, along with a fleet of taxis preceded and followed by military jeeps we went to see the local Jarawah tribe. My son could See just one - black like charcoal. But we enjoyed the journey through dense forests with rains. It was an experience. From there we went to see the stegmalite caves.
There we visited chalk caves. Watched different figures like kamal, shivji etc. Had tracking experience in the woods. It was good but a tedious journey. I didn't see any Jarawa adivasi though travelled in a military guided convoy for 2 hours.
Visited a volcano hurriedly in a jeep. The Volcano is inactive.
Nothing but a big heap of ash making some 'bud bud' sound with bubbles.
If you go to Andaman, you may skip this remote place.
Day 6
Returned after a pleasurable experience. Back from Andaman. Nice experience with my family, both sons & bahu made my visit more full of fun. At Chennai resting at my son's friend's house near Chatpet. Travelled from the airport by the local train and then by a taxi to Chatapet area. So cheap is the local transport! Paid just 5 rs per ticket for 10 stations!
A sculpture on Marina beach.
Visited Marina beach, Anna Durai samadhi etc. and by a 5.30 am flight to Ahmedabad reached herewith the rising November sun.
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