Land of Fortune
(Andaman & Nicobar) ….unforgettable, closest to the nature and refreshing
up to the core!!!
It was my incentive trip from Canon India…
First Day:
Started from Mumbai; 2 hrs of flying to Chennai. Break for 3
hrs in Airport and then another 2 hrs flying to Port Blair over the Bay of
Bengal. Weather in March is not cool any way so once we landed in afternoon at
about 2.15 PM; it was humid and hot about 32++ degrees. Small Airport and
sweaty weather was irritating. Another setback of not having idea mobile
network; only BSNL, Airtel and Vodafone were working; means I was disconnected
from all for next 5 days!
We came out and started heading to Fortune Resort Bay Island, Port Blair.
Warm Greeting and coconut water was refreshing, but the scenic view of bay was
on the top and attracting me like a magnet. It was truly awesome; got to one
more fact about this attractive scenic view…
“This beautiful Sean
is printed in the currency note of Rs 20.00, back side since from ages.”
We have moved towards our next destination as planned to the
Cellular Jail, also known as Kālā Pānī (derived from Sanskrit words 'Kaal'
which means Time or Death and 'Pani' which means Water), was a colonial prison
in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. The prison was used
by the British especially to exile political prisoners to the remote archipelago.
Many notable dissidents such as Batukeshwar
Dutt and Veer Savarkar, among others, were imprisoned
here during the struggle for India's independence. Today,
the complex serves as a national memorial monument. We have seen sound and
light show about the historical events regarding this place. The lighting and
the voice over’s good and would give a glimpse of how the valiant freedom
fighters held their own against the oppressions of the British and the
Japanese.
The full travel was long so we were tired; but we had dinner
planned with at another beautiful property Peerless Sarovar Portico, Port Blair.
The Lawn party, with colorful lights, winners of summit clubs from across India
so the great crowd with refreshing location and wonderful gathering has made
that dinner exiting.
By
the time of retiring to bed; energy was completely drained out….
Second Day:
Got up at 4.30 AM as the day light was started; I was
shocked but sooner realize that the sun rise there is from 4.45 AM onwards so
obviously the day light will be early. I caught my camera and straight went to
overlooks the pristine blue waters of the Bay of Bengal. Wow!!! What a sunrise…refreshing
morning; nothing like it!
We got ready and had quick breakfast as the day plan was to
visit Havelock beach @ Nail Island by the Makruzz cruise. One among the most
preferred way to travel to different islands. Fast connectivity and more organized
way of travelling provide good experience. The cruises take almost 90 minutes
to reach Havelock Island from Port Blair and vice versa.
The 5 beaches or 5 villages in specific comprise this
‘Vegetable Bowl’ of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These are Bharatpur, Sitapur,
Neil Kendra, Lakshmanpur and Ram Nagar. Sitapur is considered the best of all
these beaches. This island is known for its rustic remote feel, which is
superbly contrasted with the current development being encouraged by the
tourism here. White sand, blue water, clean horizon, free mind & like
minded people around; best combination….
Had few games on the beach, then played with waves for some
time, then fresh water bath and fresh coconut water; ultimate combination.
Lunch has been planned in Seashell (Neil Island) another
place to hold your eyes by the scenic views of the beach with mangroves and an
untamed place cannot be felt better at a more luxurious place than this. Good
place to do the adventure activities like Scuba Diving. After good rest & photography
there we have moved back to cruise to our destination at port Blair.
Day ended with the Dinner at of own choice, taste of a local
food.
Third Day:
Planned late wake-up of 7 am, as past 2 days where tiring
due to the travel and weather but couldn’t resist myself to get up at 4.30 AM
to do morning walk in clean sea shore and photography. The full day was planned
for city tour, Forest Museum & Cellular Jail.
Seen the Cellular Jail with utmost details provided by guide;
Gone through the History from inceptions, Architect of the prison started in
1896 and was completed in 1906. Inmates “Solitary confinement was implemented
as the British government desired to ensure that political prisoners and
revolutionaries be isolated from each other. The Andaman Island served as the
ideal setting for the government to achieve this. Incidents about Japanese takeover; for almost 3 years from 1942 to 1945”.
Post independence incidents and up
to the declaration of this national memorial monument by PM Morarji
Desai.
Rest of the city tour continues covering places like
Samudrika (Marine Museum), Anthropology Museum and Chatham Saw Mill.
Evening starts with Award function and getting over by gala
Dinner.
Forth
Day:
Day started early at 5.30 am getting
assembled and travelling to Baratang Island. Journey was about 3 hrs by Bus,
going through the deep forest and between Jarawa’s.
Finally reached to Middle Strait and
then Transfer from Middle Strait to Baratang Island by vehicle ferry (was
little annoying experience), Ferry dropped us to Baratang Island and then we
travelled by boat to Limestone caves ,passing through dense mangroves. This was
the most beautiful & Exiting part of days travel. Limestone caves were good
to see in their natural state.
Bumpy ride of Bus to match the speed of
convoy, no stopover in between due to the restricted area because of the
tourist safety, High humidity, temperature and spoilage of food was enough to
make you irritated but; still worth watching finally.
Evening got over by doing some local
shopping of shells and then karaoke night arranged by …
Fifth
day:
Day started with early breakfast and
then the city tour on the bike (Arranged by local vehicles provide on rent).
Was good fun with shopping and roaming around in the local market?
Although this is not crowded People
area (Populated about 1.08 Laces (2011)) but the cleanliness is maintained,
people respect rule and just do not break it, even in the absence of cops.
Beautiful Journey was coming to an
end as the flight to Chennai was at 2.55 pm. I am taking back few things as
follow from here…
1.
Respect our roots and culture that has made
us what we are today. We need to keep reminding about the value of freedom
which we have got through our earlier generations to our kids.
2.
Life can be as simple as we can make;
happiness is not dependent of facilities we get.
3.
Pleasure of the life can’t be achieved
without swats.
4.
Life starts in a different way when mobile
gets switched off.
