The Prodigious Andamans

Our flight from Mumbai Reached Portblair around 7.20 am, we were welcomed by a Travel associate, to head towards the hotel. I should add, Portblair is more like any other city with well-equipped amenities and transport system. We had an overnight flight so needless to say, on reaching, all I wanted was a bed. After freshening up, I dozed off until 1.00 pm, when I got a call from the hotel manager to ask about lunch. Yes, in most of the hotels at Portblair, you need to order your food couple of hours before your meal-time. And, you do not expect exquisite food options in all restaurants and hotels. You do get some options near the market area, though. So, after a hearty meal, we were ready to explore the Central attraction of Portblair, ‘The Cellular Jail’. It’s a gigantic, magnificent and very cunning architecture. What fascinated most, were the windows of one wing that are uniquely facing just the empty walls of other wing to prevent any communication between prisoners. The structure had overall 7 wings, out of which 3 are preserved till now. You get an access to go and witness the interiors and at the top of the structure as well. The evening light and sound show would have been also a treat, exploring some details of the Indian Freedom struggle, but unfortunately, the sudden showers shattered the show and we had no option but to curse the rain that day. Without much options left, we left for the hotel.

(P.S. If you are a solo traveller, make sure you wind up most of your shopping and hopping by 8.00-8.30pm. It becomes slightly deserted at night with just the restaurants being open.)

Heading to Havelock Island, this was an amazing experience on cruise as I had never experienced before. The deep blue waters lashing past, as the cruise reached in 2 hrs. The voyage was worth it, with all modern facilities equipped in it. Again, we had travel associates waiting, who guided us towards our booked cottages. Luckily, the cottage was at a 2 min walking distance to beach. Scrumptious food, followed by some rest, we headed for sightseeing, proceeding towards Radhanagar beach. Its pristine blue waters were both tempting and intimidating at the same time. A dip was must!!

(PS You have hygienic and safe changing rooms with bathing facilities, well maintained.)

Stay at the Havelock Island. This day is reserved for the adventure seekers. You can choose from a list of water sports and adventure rides right from Scuba diving, Snorkelling, Glass-board ride, Banana Boat Rides, Parasailing, Undersea Walking, Jet Skiing, Speed Boating, Sport Fishing or Angling, Seaplane Ride and many more! For those who do not wish for any adventure, can just spend the day in picturesque surroundings at leisure.

Heading to Neil Island was a similar experience on cruise. We reached in around 40 mins to the island that’s smaller than Havelock but with an extra dash of electric blue touch to the sky and waters. Here, our stay was on sea-facing resort, at Lakshmanpur-I beach, we were asked to be ready to witness the natural coral bridge, its truly magical. You need to witness it to believe it. Around 4.00 pm, we headed towards the sunset point at Lakshmanpur-I beach by leaving foot prints on golden sand and by playing ‘catch me if you can’ with endless white waves trying to touch your feet. This was one on the most memorable experiences. I had never seen purple live shells, orange crabs, minuscule scorpions and so on. Reaching the point was even more overwhelming. Everything was painted in an orange-red hue, the nature seemed to be in one of the most vibrant moods, that day. A cup of tea on those shacks with the drowning sun was more of an illusion, than a reality.

Morning stay at the resort with leisure time spent on beach with food and then it was time to bid a good-bye to this majestic place whose beauty remains unparalleled. I have made a promise, however to myself, to pay a visit again.. We took the cruise way to Portblair, followed by a flight to Mumbai.