ANDAMAN TRIP

Andaman was literally beckoning us after the Tsunami tragedy, well in Nov 2005 we decided to take trip from Mumbai. We booked tickets in advance luckily and got a cheap package from Jet Airlines. The central govt. too withdrew freeze on LTC travel and were encouraging employees to visit andaman for aiding recovery of tourism. Hotel and other accomodation naturally had dropped their rates.

It was real bad luck news that in chennai it was pouring cats and dogs, we were supposed to stay at my friends place in Chennai. We called him and told him that we won't make it to his place since we have to catch earlier morning flight to Port Blair. Indian Airlines offered us free dinner at Mumbai airport, and it took off around 12.15 am and landed at 2 am at chennai. We looked around for accomodation at airport, luckily we got the same by paying RS 600/- incl. tip. It is worth rather spending to and fro charges to city and hotel accomodation which would have costed more than Rs 1000/- for 5 hours. Luckily this intitutive decision paid off since there was no incoming vehicles plying to airport due to downpour in chennai.

We had arranged booking at YMCA, Port Blair, for a double AC which costed us Rs 450/- per day. The room was small but it had attached bathroom. The manager was very friendly, and he invited us to attend a function next day too. Our friends Austin and his family were very friendly. They became acquainted because they are mumbaites, and from our hometown.

We had the fortune of listening to Shine who literally hung on to the tree top and was saved from Tsunami tidal waves. Nicobar isle were almost wiped out, the Indian Navy did a tremendous rescue operation despite loosing their own kith and kin. Kudos. This prompted us to visit the Tsunami village, which was really endearing, but a fantastic re-habitation program was envisaged, and people have forgotton to a large extent their tragedy of loosing their near and dear ones.

Shine accompanied us to Chidiyatapu on mount Harriet, It is a lovely spot, swarming with birds and bird lovers can almost spend a day over here snapping pictures to glory. The mount Harriet, is also embossed on the Indian currency notes. We had booked an auto, which was economical to move up and down from Port Blair. He charged us 150 rupees for a round trip to Chidyatapu. We had a lovely homely food at Shine's house and tipped him Rs 200/- ( Earlier shine and his family were doing CD and video business at Nicobar )

We booked our tickets to visit BARREN ISLE, a live volcano after the Tsunami. Weekly only 2 trips are made, so it is advisable to book your seat on the ship for a night journey. They charge 150 each for seating and cabin is charged at 250 per pax.

The trip to Barren Isle was lovely since it is adventure by night which begins at 10 pm and around 2 am one gets to notice the volcanic flares from a distance, and at around 3 am the ship reaches the barren isle, and the full flow of the volcanic lava is visible to naked eyes. Till day break break the ship encircles the volcano from safe distance and once the day breaks volcanic flares vanishes as if magician has turned off, only thick cloud is visible. One can notice Dolphins swimming across too enroute. The ship travels away from Havelock isle and reaches by afternoon Port Blair in time for lunch. Food quality is average in the Hotels, of course home made cooking like what we had at Shine's home was delicious.

Sea food is the speciality of andaman, but availability after Tsunami has become rarity. One can good bengali and tamilian food in selected mess. The rates are very economical. One such mess is availabe at near SBI for Tamil food, autorikshaw guys are the best people to enquire for good food.

Next day we decided to explore the Limestone caves of Baratang and mud volcanoes. As soon as one lands in baratang, one notices the mangroves, which largely have helped to reduce destruction of Tsunami of this area. It is a lesson for mankind to preserve Mangroves which can act as a barrier against lashing tidal waves. The boat ride to limestone caves are ultimate adventure. It veers into a narrow creek with mangroves and sways in a winding trail and reaches the jetty, from where one has to walk across nearly 2 km but worth its effort. This journey is like entering a forest and can be cherished for life long, crocs are infesting these waters. Beware of frequently children touching the river water. The cave was filled with slush which can put off any visitor so one has to remove shoes and socks to discover the wonder of nature. We visited nearly 1/2 km into the cave along with the jetty guide, who had a torch. The limestone caves are a revealation of nature's beauty. One has to be careful, to watch out for leeches, i was fortunate, to bleed from one naughty leech bite. It is better to inspect their feet when they come out of the caves. Next we reached the Bus stop, from there Mud volcanoes can be visited by JEEP, along with a guide. Once again one has to walk half a Km to witness the beauty of mudvolcanoes which are bubbling all over. Well, before Tsunami there existed a lovely beach but was destroyed totally due to tidal waves. Enroute back to Port blair we got to see the naked Jarwah tribes. People are not advised to feed them any normal foodstuff. One can give them fruits and vegetables which is good for their health. They cannot digest baked or fried items. Photography of Naked tribes are prohibited, one has to remember though.

Local sight seeing places are Corbyn beach, Acquarium, Gandhi Park, Arts Museum. One should not miss the sound and light show at cellur jail, it is worth waiting and watching. It is a tribute to the struggle of freedom of India. Andaman Isle was a Taadipar. Other Isle visits to Ross Island which is also known as Paris of the East is a beauty, but destoryed due to earthquake of 1942. The viper island is another revealation in terms of the gallows and jails. All the notorious and tough criminals were housed here. Veer Sarvarkar was hanged in this place. Later, women freedom fighters were seperately housed. Andaman is generally known for nil crimes in the ISLE because nobody can escape from here. Coral island is full of shells, stones and unique corals.

Share auto is common mode of transport along with buses, Sun rises quite early at 5 am. Long distance travel can be undertaken early morning and return to base same day can be practised. Some tourists who prefer beaches can stay put a Havelock Island. It is better to carry a good camera to get hold of nice pictures of beauty of nature and beaches. If one plans a trip it has to be at least for 5 days otherwise one is bound to miss out after going such a distance. It is actually like travelling to Far East country. The strategic importance of Andaman isle is tremendous for India. The bio-diversity in marine life in the form of corals are in plenty. But alas one cannot treasure it. It is prohibited and penalities can be huge. Explore andaman isle because it emboldens the spirit of human survival. Join the bandwagon to revive tourism in ISLE, post Tsunami.