A Hidden Pearl - The Andaman

So this was the day for my most awaited adventure. Checked in from Bangalore airport to port Blair!! butterflies in my stomach , sitting in the aircraft and wondering if I made the right decision. Flight took off and after four hours and forty five minutes I reached port Blair! - oh it was a day time flight so I got to see incredible views from the top when approaching port Blair - when I say it’s incredible it is INCREDIBLE!!. I then hired a cab to the hotel . Oh wait pause- I am a budget traveller so don’t expect taj hotels and stuff . Ok getting back - it was almost evening by the time I reached the hotel so the only option during that time was “Rajiv Gandhi’s statue”. Although the name doesn’t sound intrusive but the experience !!! Imagine you are right in the middle of the ocean and the winds hit you like there’s no tomorrow! , it was soothing.

Journey to BaraTang island-

Quite a controversy this one - the road connecting port Blair to BaraTang island is called the Grand Trunk Road- this road cuts right through the heart of a tribal civilization named “The Jarawas”. A little bit on the history ? Tribal civilizations were always present in Andaman namely the Great Andamanese , Jarawas etc. wayyyy back aging to the British era but they never came into the limelight but once this road was built ,the war started where the Jarawas were fighting for their place in the heart of the jungle with a strictly do not disturb sign. Getting back- so In order to reach BaraTang island the army will take us through the heart of the jungle for this I had to be present near the check post of the GT road at 5 AM and the convoy of around 250-300 vehicles go into the forest at a time with army supervision. Because it’s a protected area taking photos was strictly prohibited - after reaching BaraTang island the limestone caves! Daaamn these are no less than art where Picasso will also be to shame . Which took about 2000 years to build itself — The gods must be crazy ? Ooooh you bet .

The Mud Volcano

Ever seen mud in a liquid state splurging out of the earth? No ? Oooh You are very close to seeing a miracle then -aaa who ever you are . Not an everyday sight ,one of the rarest phenomenon anywhere on planet earth - we have it in our backyard and the best part ? It’s super active ! - phewww this made me tired and so the day almost comes to an end with the convoy escorting us back to port Blair.

Havelock island

Sorry for the late spoiler , this is where you get to travel in a cruise . Green ocean and the Makruzz are the options for traveling between port Blair to Havelock and from there to Neil island or directly from port Blair to Neil island. Make sure you are booked in advance because these guys are always in demand . So I take a cruise which by the way I did book one month in advance to Havelock island and from there to Niel island . From the so called “kaala paani” to the serene mystic transparent waters the journey is all worth it . This is where one will find the all famous Radhanagar Beach

Havelock to Neil island

Neil is the smallest island of the lot !, but hey if you are a solo traveller , this will be the best time for yourself , for you can explore the beaches and the sea life on the sea shore . What I found interesting would be the bugle rock which comes alive on low tide and what I saw during low tide where the aquatic species were there right in front of me . Although it felt a lil weird at first but was worthwhile . This island is built on a part coral reef , so I took the leisure of glass base boating - the base of the boat is transparent and the corals will be seen below , quite an experience eh ? Hmm hmm ?

I come to Andaman and not visit the all famous cellular jail ?.aan Aan sooo not happening , but first took a ferry to Ross Island which is about 10 mins ferry from port Blair . What’s there in Ross Island ? - Ross Island was the official marketplace for the British and port Blair was where the prisoners were kept , it’s said that there was a pathway which was connecting port Blair to Ross Island where one could walk and go but that was during the time of the British. It was almost noon and the people there are very accommodating, more like one large family on one Island, in fact my lunch today was at one of my friends place whom I had met there (thank good for rice finally) . Then came the cellular jail , this had to be the show stealer - the patriotism feels which I got after the whole story was done was impeccable! - hmm hmm feels