Travelogue- Andaman and Nicobar Islands

We started planning for the travel in advance by thinking of various destinations.  After considering many points like cost, distance, availability of dates, we decided to go to Andaman & Nicobar Islands. We considered both options of doing the arrangements on our own and also through travel agents. Chose one of the travel agent so that all administrative activities would be done by them. As the days approached for the travel, the excitement started growing. 3 more days to go…., 2 more days to go…., 1 more day to go……. WoW.  The day had come:-)

Aug 15, 2012:-Wednesday

We all got up at 3 am in the morning as our flight departure time was 5.15 am. We wanted to travel in the early morning, so that we could witness the beautiful sun rise and the orange sky radiating and beaming with golden rays, from being on the top of the sky. I would say it was an enchanting and beautiful  experience of my life to witness the sun rise from the flight, that too arrowing fast towards the sun itself, as Andaman is in East of Chennai.  Each and every moment of witnessing the sky from the airplane was a learning experience in terms of the sky, slowly turning from black,  small beam of light starting from at the bottom of the sky, slow orange sun climbing slowly and the sky wearing itself various possible shades of orange.  Was astonished to see so many shades of orange itself, when I was thinking so far that only orange is the only shade. We landed up at Veer Savarkar International Airport at 7.15  AM. The driver ( Shri. Rajesh) was ready with cab, we got checked in to the Hotel – Blue Sea. As it was a holiday on Aug 15, due to Independence day, we had a good time to play in the hotel room itself. Evening went to one of the beaches around 3 pm. The Sea was totally different from what I have been seeing so far, as there were no waves at at all. It appeared as a huge lake standing still. I could walk into the sea much inside. Swam for quite long, had a trip on Water Scooter. It was a good experience to ride fast on the Water Scooter.   Had relaxed swimming till 7 pm in the evening. We were the ones to leave the beach last. It was turning to be dark around 7 pm.  We started to the Hotel. On the ride back to the hotel, we could see light lit boats and ships across the ocean. It was a delightful experience to see lighted boats in calm hilly/ beach combined environment with only the sound of the breeze in your ears.  On the way, we went to Andaman Jail. The entire Jail was lit with lights as it was the Independence Day.  We waited for some time out and went inside to see the “Light and sound Show”. The show was designed in such a way that a tree ( which was left uncut while building the jail) was telling the story ( As it is the only living witness) of how the Jail was built, the tortures and troubles faced by the Jail mates-whose only conviction reason was that they were fighting for the Independence of India. The show was true on its own that it had a good light and sound effects that it kindled the spirit of Independence in our minds deciding to be true and good to our own selves, as so many people have given their lives of our freedom.  Reached hotel around 7.30 pm, had good bath and a wonderful dinner.  We could get South Indian, North Indian and Andaman dishes, all very tasty. Slept around 9.30 pm after playing 

Aug 16, 2012- Thursday

After breakfast at the Hotel Blue Sea itself, we went to Port Blair Port to go to Ross Island and Viper Island.  The Boat took us to Ross Island, which was the capital of British then for Andaman Islands. The entire Island was meant only for the living of the Britishers. We saw lot of Deers with tasty Kulfis. We saw the demolished Palaces, Swimming pools, Churches.  The Climate was very changing, with bright sun light for a moment, with rains immediately. The Water around the Ross Island was pitch glowing Green, which is the first time, I am seeing in my life. We spent nearly 2 hours in the Ross Island by taking a walk. We boarded the Boat again to proceed towards Viper Island. On the way to Viper Island, we had the lunch provided at the Boat itself.  We reached Viper Island. The water around Viper Island was a mix of Green and Blue.  The Distance of Viper Island from the nearby Island was huge with no drinking water facility in the Viper Island.  So, this Island was meant to Punish, true Independence warriors. Those freedom fighters were brought to this Island and left in the island. They cannot escape from this Island, as the distance to other islands are far, crocodiles were there in the ocean, and there was no drinking water. The Britishers will come back after 10 days to check if they are alive. If they are still alive, they will be hanged in a place, which has a pitfall below and the bodies will be left in the ocean through the pitfall. The Guide gave an inspirational freedom fighting speech in Hindi. Even though, we could not understand fully what he was speaking, we could make out clearly what he has been saying, from his expressions, crying , fierce some speech on  the Independence struggle. When he was showing the pitfall where the freedom fighters were hanged, we could not stop resist from bowing down to them. We bowed down to their sacrifice, fighting spirit for the welfare of others. What an uphill task of complete sacrifice!!! It was a learning for all of us, where most of us around live a self centered life. We left Viper Island, with tears in eyes, heaviness in the throat, but with renewed spirit of enhanced respect for our freedom fighters.

From Viper Island, we reached Coral Island. This island is meant for water sports. Again the sea is without any waves and is an ideal sport for water sport.  We went through all the sport available like water scooter, sofa ride, banana boat, snorkeling. We enjoyed all the rides and was a new experience to play laughfully in the midst of the ocean. We collected lot of corals from the island and returned back to the hotel. Had Dinner and went early to bed as we were tired.

Aug 17, 2012 – Friday

Had breakfast, Went to see Inside of Andaman Jail. Looked at the cells in which the freedom fighters were kept. Went to see the Andaman Museum where the photos and other items which the tribals used are kept for display. Took a cruise spending around 3 hours to reach Havelock Island. Had lunch in the cruise itself. Reached Havelock island around 1.30 pm and got checked in at “Symphony Palms” Resorts. The Resort was in an exotic location and was looking stunning. It was full of wooden cottages with complete furnishing. We took some rest and went to Radhanagar Beach. It is one of the most finest beaches in the World, as the sands in the beach are pure white and the water is of pure deep sky thick blue. It was looking like a painting to see this combination from outside, as we walked toward the beach. The sands are absolutely fine and was giving a soft, smooth massaging effect to the feet. We played, played, played in the water till sun started setting the west. We got acquainted with a Tamil family and got friends with them. Had good tasty dinner and slept amidst of a calm cottages surrounded by Mountain views with only the sound of bees and flies around.

Aug 18, 2012- Saturday

Morning got up early thinking it is 6.30 or 7 am, but the clock was still showing 4.30 am. Another delightful experience to see such a clear bright morning at 4.30 am itself. Went to the beach nearby and started relaxing.  Swung on the cane chair which is tied to the branches of the tree, at the verge of the waves from the ocean touching the beach. It was a meditation like experience to witness the sun climbing on the sky, with little or no more people around us. We were playing in the ocean for some time. Had breakfast and went to Scuba Diving. It was an experience of lifetime to swim across the fishes, corals deep under the ocean.  Played in beaches. The Sea was completely pitch dark green. Came back to the Resorts, vacated. Took the cruise back and reached Port Blair Back in the late evening

Aug 19, 2012-Sunday

Got ready, reached Airport . Took the Indian Airlines Flight around 9.30 AM and reached Chennai 1 pm. We landed at Chennai Airport with good memories of our trip of Andaman and Nicobar Islands with a scenic memory of beautiful colorful beaches, water sports, good food and the Spirit of Indian Independence.