ANDAMAN TRIP

We got up early in the Morning and went to Phoenix Jetty Bay for booking of return immediately without delay and luckily got tickets as there was already many people was waiting in line.

Then we went back to hotel , staff asked for breakfast and he also suggested that there is a place where we can also have breakfast at reasonable price. We reached there, it was very small place run by a family of 4 members, they have cooking setup outside and sitting capacity of around 6 people inside at a time. But I couldn't expect the kind of food I have ate there, even today I miss the taste of that food. They cook South Indian items and take very good care of hygiene. I can't forget the food which I ate there as it was so simple, fresh and delicious, most importantly it felt like home cooked. Their nature was very gentle and kind hearted.

We left hotel as we have to board ferry from Haddo Jetty to reach Havelock Island at 12:30. As hotel owner & staff was very supportive they told that it would be no problem if we don't want to carry our whole luggage could be left in the hotel.

Sunrise at Kalapathar Beach

We got up at 4 AM as we were so excited to witness the Sunrise. Within half an hour we got ready and took two wheelers to our destination which was around 4-5 kms from our resort, it took us 15-20 minutes. When we reached, there were several people was waiting to observe the sunrise but lot of people started to gather as time passed.

We found a place and just sat there for sometime and waiting for the moment. The atmosphere was so delightful as cool air was bumping on to my face and the sound of waves in early morning was unforgettable. As the Sun started to rise, it was looking like that it coming out from the ocean. As Sun rises, it started to strew different colours over the ocean, for moment it was like golden, bright red then bit yellow. It was so awesome to witness the sunrise there, everybody at beach were enjoying the moment and very happy the same I was feeling after watching this phenomenal view offered by nature. As Sun was fully rised it's strong rays began to bother. So we left from there and reached our resort and had breakfast (it was good).

ELEPHANT BEACH

After sometime, we took our scooters and went to Elephant Beach and reached to point where we had to left our scooters in parking (while riding the palce looking so untouched and pure, as there is lot of greenery with clear blue sky with fluffy clouds ), as we need to trek for around 1.5-2kms through mangrove forest in order to reach at the Beach. There are local people there, charge some money to guide through the forest. But trek wasn't that much difficult therefore we just continued by ourselves. While through the forest I was feeling so good and amazed by the flora and fauna, the huge & high trees which I haven't seen before in my life. A day earlier, rain had happened due to that there was difficulty as the surface was muddy and at some places it wasn't easy to cross and you will not b able to save shoes from that mud. On the way, huts were present to sit & have rest. As we were reaching the beach, we saw a pure Green Snake which ran away as it heard sound of footsteps and there was an area which got vanished due to Tsunami in 2004. Finally we reached at the beach around 10.30 AM after 20-30 minutes of trek, that was bolt from the blue when I saw that crystal shining blue water at beach. Then without waiting we ran and jumped into the water, at shallow area of the beach there were lot of obstacles like sharp and big stones, corals were present on the surface which can easily hurt foot, therefore we carefully entered to little deeper area where there were no stone and enjoyed a lot in the water. Although none of us know swimming but we were just trying to get some lessons about swimming 😄. There were lot water sports activities was happening, for which this beach is known i.e. jet skiing, Banana boat rides, snorkeling, under sea walking, scuba diving etc. After spending around 3-4 hours there we return through same trek for Radha Nagar Beach.

RADHA NAGAR BEACH

It took us only around 20-30 minutes to reach at Radha Nagar Beach from elephant beach. We parked scooter parking and ran to the beach which is among one of the longest and cleanest in Asia. I was feeling so amazing when I reached there it is really so beautiful to see the open sea and a long field with far greenery on the banks wherever you look. So, without waiting for anything, we got prepared and get into the ocean, lots of people was there enjoying the dip into the sea. This beach is not like Elephant beach with obstacles like stones or corals, rather it's surface very smooth and anyone can run into the water without hurting but still needs to be cautious. All of us enjoyed a lot there until the lifeguards came and directed everyone there to come out from the water. I came out little before and sat down there and watching the sunset which turned the whole sky with its colours, it was so mesmerizing to watch. I was feeling that the Sun is in slow motion mode and want everybody there to look how beautiful it is and remember these moments for the whole life. It was really good to see as the Sun was setting down, the rays changing its colours as Sun going down and painted the whole beach with that colour. As it was getting dark we took shower there to get rid from the itching caused due to sand. When we leaving from there we ate some snacks as we were feeling so hungry due lots of water activities, many local food stalls and restaurants (dhaba) are present there on both sides of road. Then after sometime we reached at our resort and took rest.

We packed our belongings and we went to nearby Dolphin beach, just utilized and spend remaining time there and enjoyed the view of ocean as our ferry was around 03:00 PM. We could visit Neil Island also but it was not planned earlier.

Port Blair sightseeing

After breakfast we decided to visit Cellular jail. We took an auto for cellular jail, after reaching bought entry tickets. The jail campus is now a historic site which used to have seven blocks, but now only three blocks are present. There is a museum also inside the campus where some old things has been showcased with brief information for people visiting to understand that time. We bought tickets for Sound & light show at Cellular jail at the time of leaving the place as we thought that tickets might not be available in the evening. Then we thought of doing Para Sailing at North Bay Island which can be seen from shore and just few miles away but unfortunately boat service was not available as wind was blowing fast and according to local administration had ordered shut boat service due to this. So, we decided to have North Indian lunch as we were missing it. So we searched a restaurant near the Marine museum and food served was very tasty that we were not expecting before eating. After having lunch we went Samudrika Marine Museum that is normal place where preserved species and skeletons are being showcased. From there we went Marina Park it felt like Central Park of Port Blair, we roam there for sometime then we go to Cafe known as Marina cafe inside the park, sit there for some rest also had some snacks with coffee. It was evening now, so we went to Cellular jail for sound & light show. Night show was average, it is like storytelling of things used to happen in cellular jail.