Our trip to Andaman was an experience in itself. It was a special trip for a special occasion, as we celebrated our bond of marriage. My first time to visit an island and it was a spectacular sight from up there. The striking blue water, with varying color intensities that made it look turquoise/ aqua at one point and dark blue at the other. And the island was lush green, looking at this pattern up from the plane was mind blowing. It felt as if you were looking at bacterial cell under microscope with nuclei being the island surrounding by those varying blue color water felt as the cell walls. It was just beautiful.
We went straight to our homestay from the airport in Port Blair. Surprisingly, people here speak very good Hindi. So it is very easy to move around here. Travel is mostly done by auto rickshaws or taxis, which is definitely a rip-off because the minimum amount they charge is Rs.200-300 no matter how short the distance is. My tip would be to rent a bike and it is a cheaper option. But there are no maps so you will have to rely on asking people. Thankfully, people here are simple, sweet and ready to help. A lot of people come to Port Blair for work from different places such as Bengal and Tamil Nadu, hence the main language for communication is Hindi.
Our first day at Port Blair wasn't as good as we expected. But it was a different experience for sure. We went to the New Light House for lunch and ordered a crab which was kind of a Chinese batter fry (completely killed the subtle and sweet taste of crab) and we were like what happened! For main course, we ordered a coconut milk based fish curry which was very southern and yummy to have with steamed rice. I feel the food here is extra salty and almost everything is fried. It could be due to the mixed southern and Bengali influence, and the food reflects it very well. After lunch, we decided to go to Corbyn’s Cove Beach and do some water sports. I started with the JetSki, it’s hard to describe those feelings as I could feel the power of harsh water beneath me. It was crazy and I could feel the adrenaline rush in my nerves. But I loved it, I guess it’s the power with a slight hint of danger that gives us that pleasure. We also did a speed boat ride to the snake island that was home for some dangerous species which got destroyed after Tsumani. We could see the sunset from out boat and a couple of other surrounding islands. We sat at the beach sipping some tea and enjoying the quite evening, followed by a wonderful candle lit dinner at SeaShells restaurant.
It is just 9 pm and it feels like it 12 am, we went to bed early and were looking forward to our next day. I got up and felt the sun was very strong but when I checked the time it was just 5 am and I was like what!!! We had a wonderful English breakfast at the home stay that was simple and yummy. A masala omlette with a yummy hot chocolate pancake was just what I was looking for on my holiday. Our plan for the day was to go to Ross Island and then see the sunset at Chidya Tapu.
Ross Island We started for Ross Island by taking a speed boat from the water sports complex. It is just a 15-20 min. journey to the island but the vastness of the sea is beautiful. I was happy, satisfied and scared at the same time. As we approached Ross Island, it looked like a perfect contrast of colors. The deep blue water, lush green coconut trees and the light blue sky as the background painted a beautiful picture for travelers. We got our tickets and got into the island. A small island with a history of its own. We saw some animals roaming freely, I guess they are used to people and believe me they would not mind posing for you. There are some old distillery containers, old structural buildings that are held by just some branches. That sight is really something, all the structures were protected during Tsunami by these branches that held on to the bricks tightly. These branches have stood the test of time and Tsunami. It looks spooky but I loved the way those branches held on to those lifeless walls may be for support initially but now they look inseparable, as if they were meant to be together.
Chidya Tapu As soon as we entered through the gates, we already knew this place is worth a visit. There are beautiful wood sofas made out of huge logs of wood...... I feel so short of words to describe their beauty. They are elegant, simple and just awesome..... I could see Vivek's eyes popping out looking at all the wonderful wood work. It's funny how we create and work hard to get glamorous lives for ourselves but all we crave for is simplicity and elegance........
The trek up the chidya tapu was fun, it was hardly 1.5km but man it was tough...... Up and up we went all surrounding by huge trees, felt as if we were playing hide and seek with the sun. The steps are all natural, just some branches here and there making a way for you, after every 0.5 km there is a wonderful wooded bench for you to take a break and a mile-log instead of a milestone which is just beautiful. I love the way this place is, just the way nature intended it to be. The over-protective trees are holding on to the land so hard as if it won't let it go, no matter how hard the water tries to take it. I guess its nature's way of protecting and preserving what it has created. Once we reached the top, the view was breathtaking...... You could see the Chidya Tapu which is the home of all the birds and the birds had started to come home in the evening. Their chirping felt so refreshing that all you wanted to do was to just keep looking at the beautiful water with varying intensities of color. We came down to witness the sunset from the beach. The calm sunset at the beach with water beneath us was splendid and being together to witness such a beautiful sight is wonderful....In Andaman, everyone inclusing the mighty sun seems to be in a hurry to say goodbye and go home.
To be continued…….
We went straight to our homestay from the airport in Port Blair. Surprisingly, people here speak very good Hindi. So it is very easy to move around here. Travel is mostly done by auto rickshaws or taxis, which is definitely a rip-off because the minimum amount they charge is Rs.200-300 no matter how short the distance is. My tip would be to rent a bike and it is a cheaper option. But there are no maps so you will have to rely on asking people. Thankfully, people here are simple, sweet and ready to help. A lot of people come to Port Blair for work from different places such as Bengal and Tamil Nadu, hence the main language for communication is Hindi.
Our first day at Port Blair wasn't as good as we expected. But it was a different experience for sure. We went to the New Light House for lunch and ordered a crab which was kind of a Chinese batter fry (completely killed the subtle and sweet taste of crab) and we were like what happened! For main course, we ordered a coconut milk based fish curry which was very southern and yummy to have with steamed rice. I feel the food here is extra salty and almost everything is fried. It could be due to the mixed southern and Bengali influence, and the food reflects it very well. After lunch, we decided to go to Corbyn’s Cove Beach and do some water sports. I started with the JetSki, it’s hard to describe those feelings as I could feel the power of harsh water beneath me. It was crazy and I could feel the adrenaline rush in my nerves. But I loved it, I guess it’s the power with a slight hint of danger that gives us that pleasure. We also did a speed boat ride to the snake island that was home for some dangerous species which got destroyed after Tsumani. We could see the sunset from out boat and a couple of other surrounding islands. We sat at the beach sipping some tea and enjoying the quite evening, followed by a wonderful candle lit dinner at SeaShells restaurant.
It is just 9 pm and it feels like it 12 am, we went to bed early and were looking forward to our next day. I got up and felt the sun was very strong but when I checked the time it was just 5 am and I was like what!!! We had a wonderful English breakfast at the home stay that was simple and yummy. A masala omlette with a yummy hot chocolate pancake was just what I was looking for on my holiday. Our plan for the day was to go to Ross Island and then see the sunset at Chidya Tapu.
Ross Island We started for Ross Island by taking a speed boat from the water sports complex. It is just a 15-20 min. journey to the island but the vastness of the sea is beautiful. I was happy, satisfied and scared at the same time. As we approached Ross Island, it looked like a perfect contrast of colors. The deep blue water, lush green coconut trees and the light blue sky as the background painted a beautiful picture for travelers. We got our tickets and got into the island. A small island with a history of its own. We saw some animals roaming freely, I guess they are used to people and believe me they would not mind posing for you. There are some old distillery containers, old structural buildings that are held by just some branches. That sight is really something, all the structures were protected during Tsunami by these branches that held on to the bricks tightly. These branches have stood the test of time and Tsunami. It looks spooky but I loved the way those branches held on to those lifeless walls may be for support initially but now they look inseparable, as if they were meant to be together.
Chidya Tapu As soon as we entered through the gates, we already knew this place is worth a visit. There are beautiful wood sofas made out of huge logs of wood...... I feel so short of words to describe their beauty. They are elegant, simple and just awesome..... I could see Vivek's eyes popping out looking at all the wonderful wood work. It's funny how we create and work hard to get glamorous lives for ourselves but all we crave for is simplicity and elegance........
The trek up the chidya tapu was fun, it was hardly 1.5km but man it was tough...... Up and up we went all surrounding by huge trees, felt as if we were playing hide and seek with the sun. The steps are all natural, just some branches here and there making a way for you, after every 0.5 km there is a wonderful wooded bench for you to take a break and a mile-log instead of a milestone which is just beautiful. I love the way this place is, just the way nature intended it to be. The over-protective trees are holding on to the land so hard as if it won't let it go, no matter how hard the water tries to take it. I guess its nature's way of protecting and preserving what it has created. Once we reached the top, the view was breathtaking...... You could see the Chidya Tapu which is the home of all the birds and the birds had started to come home in the evening. Their chirping felt so refreshing that all you wanted to do was to just keep looking at the beautiful water with varying intensities of color. We came down to witness the sunset from the beach. The calm sunset at the beach with water beneath us was splendid and being together to witness such a beautiful sight is wonderful....In Andaman, everyone inclusing the mighty sun seems to be in a hurry to say goodbye and go home.
To be continued…….
