Travelogue: Memorable Journey through Andaman-Nicobar Islands


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By John V Tauro
Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, 12 Apr 2015: Andaman is certainly blessed with beautiful landscape, turquoise blue waters, pristine beaches and natural wealth. Having visited over 40 countries in the past, I had fixed my mind to visit this chain of islands in the Bay of Bengal.


It’s an archipelago of 572 Islands, which is spread over about 780 km. from North to South in Bay of Bengal. The most important islands in the group are the North, Middle and South Andaman – popularly known as ‘Great Andaman’. These three islands are seperated from one another by narrow straits.


Most importantly, I found a lot of Mangalore essence. People in Andaman converse in Hindi. They are friendly and tourism is a major source of income. The transport is like in India, which is not good. You can smile, when you buy some alchohol. It is rather cheap and is run by the government.


It was March 24. As it was planned, the travel agency got as many as 24 senior citizens together including me, for a seven-day tour to Andaman. Accordingly, we all joined at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai at 3.45pm. We were all strangers, if not all, atleast I was to others.


The tour managers received us with courtesy. With travel documents in hand, we proceeded to the departure lounge to board flight number G8305 to Andaman via Chennai.


After a long jounrey of nearly five hours, we reached Port Blair, the Capital of Andaman. The city is linked either by road or by sea route to all the 38 inhabited islands. We then boarded a bus, which took us to a hotel – TSG Grande, Andaman Trunk Road, Dollygunj, which was a 20 minutes drive.


It was during the dinner, we all introduced ourselves to each other. I found out that most of them were retired doctors, engineers, teachers and businessmen. To my dismay, I was alone from Karnataka and the rest were from Maharastra.
Our first visit was to Anthropoligical and Fisheries Museam. It was not exceptional nor was it bad. However, our visit to Ross Island was simply amazing, for its history and scenary. It’s one of the major tourist destinations here.


We also visited Chatham Saw mill – one of the largest mills in Asia, Cottage Industries Emporium and Forest Museum offered insight into forest activities through scale models and displayed decorative pieces made of famous woods like Padauk, Marble, Peauma, Gurgan, Satin Wioid etc. We then proceeded to Cellular Museum and Cellular Jail, which stood mute witness to the toruture meted out to the freedom fighters by the British during the freedom struggle. It was declared as a National Monument by Morarji Desai, the then Prime Minister of India.


History awakened as we visited ‘Veer Sawarkar’ Smarak and saw the light and sound show in the eveing, which lasted for more than an hour. The breathtaking show was witnessed by  a large number of people.


The third day brought lot of fun and was nostaligic. We visited Radhanagar Beach. The island is known as ‘one of the jewels of the Andaman’. Most imporantly, no tourist is allowed to get into water after sunset. There are government appointed securitymen and we felt safe for more than one reason.


The city is also enviornment friendly. The government does not encourage plastic. If you carry any plastic bottle or whatever, the officials ensure, you get it back and don’t trash it as you like.


On the forth day, we explored Havelock. We visited Elephant Beach, one of the unique beaches located in Havelock Island. The coral in this beach is simply the best on the island and enjoyed snorkelling at Elephant Beach.

 


Later, we visted Neil Island, which is covered with lush green forest and sand. We had a boat ride and then proceeded to Port blair, which is an important centre in Andaman.


On the sixth day, our visit to Jolly Buoy Island was so much fun. There were water sports activities, swimming in the crystal clear blue water and explored the coral formation by the glass bottom boat ride. It was a time for leisure activities and got together wil travel companions.


However, the entry was prohibited to the tribal reserve area in Nicobar Group of Islands, which is 350kms away from mother land Andaman.


On March 30, we departed from Andaman after a fun filled days making new friends and refreshed memories.


To all those who want to visit Andaman, it costs only Rs 4,000 to go by ship and is connected from Chennai, Vishkapatnam and Kolkatta. However, it costs more than Rs 30,000 by budget air, which is just five hours journey and it takes four days to reach Andaman by ship.


Make some time to visit Andaman. It’s refreshing. Meanwhile, I will come back with another travellogue soon. I have a plan to visit Philippines, Vietnam and Kingdom of Cambodia in November.

 

 

Comments on this Article
Jackline D costa, Moodubelle/Andheri Fri, May-15-2015, 11:13
Its wonderful to know the places without visiting there through you. Thank you very much John Tauro. Wanted to know how you manage to visit the countries and through what you book your vacation? please reply
Morvine Quadras, Barkur/ Kuwait Sun, April-26-2015, 7:26
Dear Tauro uncle. Thank you for the wonderful article on Andaman Nicobar Islands. Will surely plan t visit these places some day.
Mr Norbert and family, Kuwait Fri, April-24-2015, 12:51
Thank you very much for your explanation about your tour to Andamon and Nicobar, and beautiful pictures, we too will plan for this tour, well done keep it up.
Arthi Monica, Safat Kuwait Tue, April-21-2015, 10:06
Thanks to belle vision for publishing this interesting place Andaman Nicobar Islands travelogue by John Visit more countries and write more good luck regards.
Anita Iyanghar, melborn Australia Mon, April-20-2015, 9:40
Very interesting travelogue I too was in Andaman Island before last year but did not explore much of this island just two days in port Blair next visit mine will be visit many mor3e island of Andaman and Nicobar Thanks to bellevision team .
Francis Sirror, Boston U S A Sun, April-19-2015, 10:16
Johnam your journey to Andaman Nicobar Island is amazing . spacialy Ross Island which is citadel of Power under British rule, now remain as abandon monuments. Thanks for your Travelogue which is unique to belle vision readers keep it up explore more country\'s and write more Obama is fine how is Lobama regards F Sirror
Wilma Fernandes, Ahmadi Kuwait Sat, April-18-2015, 11:10
This travelogue is very interesting clear photos and nicely narrated Andaman Islands are treasure of Great India that is reason India is called Incredible thanks john keep it up love India .
Raymond Lobo, London U K Sat, April-18-2015, 1:31
The photographs of Andaman Island specially cellular jail is reminder who our freedom fighter spent their days Brutally in the hands of British rule It is really Wonder island worth visiting thanks john for your travelogue, please visit U K.regards Reno.
Valerian M Alva, Bristol U.K Fri, April-17-2015, 12:06

Very interesting travelogue after a long gap. Clear photos and well narrated about Andaman Nicobar. During our childhood people used to say only criminals and who served life sentence were send to this islands to serve their lifer imprisonment. But all is changed now it is Tourist destination, with lovely beaches. thanks. beaches were very clear and clean . what about your earlier trip to Morocco Spain and Portugal  . Thank you and regards from London viewers.

Earnext Souz, U S A Thu, April-16-2015, 10:57
Uncle John once again your Travelogue is great very informative clear picture too.We may plan to visit our great Andaman Nicobar Islands keep traveling and write to belle vision we-rivers thanks
Rashmi Nayak, Bangaluru Wed, April-15-2015, 9:58
very interesting travelogue by John interesting to see the ruins of Ross Island which Ritesh Bangalore put his comments rectally keep it up visit more places and write more to Belle Vision livers very good beaches and nice scenery too!!
Ritesh, Bangaloe Mon, April-13-2015, 1:10
Those steam boilers are the remains of a water distillation plant from the late 1800s / early 1900s.Some of the buildings were destroyed by an earthquake in 1941 and others were abandoned in the 1940 s subsequent cyclones and the recent tsunami also have taken their toll in andaman nicobar islands.
Sam Sunder rao, Kuwait A Gulf. Mon, April-13-2015, 7:59
Bravos John once again your travelogue is very interesting write more about your travel experience wish you good luck regards S S Rao.
Benedict Noronha, Udupi / India Sun, April-12-2015, 9:32
It is John again to give somethng new and unique. Our elders were talking about Andaman Islands as a horrible prison place. The photgraphs reveal a gilmpse of the same. Life is horrible. yet peple live like human beings sans modern developments. Any way a wonderful experience through Bellevison. Thanks to John Tauro for his great contribution. I felt as if had a travel to Andaman islands. Thank you bellevision.
Anil, Mumbai/Doha Sun, April-12-2015, 1:03
Thank you John for wonderful scenes with pictures.What are the steam boilers are kept in museums these are smoke tube double furnace steam boilers
Ronald Sabi, Moodubelle Sun, April-12-2015, 7:27
Thank you John for taking us through picturesque journey of Andaman Nicobar Islands.
Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle Sun, April-12-2015, 4:10
Thank you John Tauro for your wonderful Travelogue and pictures on Andaman Nicobar Islands.
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