Sun, sea and sand!

Asia » India » Andaman & Nicobar Islands » Port Blair
April 2nd 2012

Published: April 4th 2012

Well we got back to India and made our way up to the Hillstation of Darjeeling. Where it was freeeeezing. Three jumpers, hats and scarf jobbie. We spent about a week there. It was a bit surreal as it was like a mini England with all the old architecture. Took a joy ride on the Toy Train as that's what people do! All in all very cold, I can imagine that in the summer it is a good place to visit. It was so cloudy we couldn’t see the mountains or out.

Onto Kolkata in time for Holi (the festival to mark the start of spring (by throwing coloured powder everywhere)) Amazingly we didn't get Holi'd! We walked straight passed and managed to watch without getting smattered in the oily paint. The whole day was really weird as the main high way was absent of cars. It was a bit like the opening of 28 days later. Eerie! We went to the VM memorial as that was the only thing open on the bank holiday. Whilst we where there we managed to go to the India Museum (I can't wait to go to an English museum to compare as it was shite) Most of the things mounted on the wall were absent of labels so god knows what we were looking at.

Our flight was leaving at 5 am so we decided to go to the cinema the night before and sleep in the airport. John Carter was the only thing showing in English, it was actually alright. We got searched before we went into the cinema and had our water, batteries and chewing gum confiscated. I swear the search was more intense than at the airport. We stayed up all night and caught our flight to paradise.

When we arrived in Port Blair it was raining. English Paradise! Whilst here we visited Ross Island - the old English admin centre which has been reclaimed by the jungle, after the Japs invaded and an earthquake, very Indiana Jones! We also went to the massive Circular Jail which was impressive but didn't paint us English in a very good light.

We decided to go to Havelock Island first. It was also Ciaran's Birthday (he got the Supranos boxset and dinner from me. Lucky git!) We managed to find a beach hut in a coconut plantation which was nice and shaded. There is not much to report from our time here apart from we sunbathed, ate, read and ate some more. We actually found some really good banoffie pie.

Neil Island was the next stop. Some more sunbathing! We also found this excellent restaurant where we got some massive fish steaks for about the price of a cup of coffee back home. We also done a fishing trip. I caught 3 small red fish. Ciaran caught a few bigger ones. The guys who took us were using a harpoon. Its amazing how the blood lust takes over, we actually really enjoyed it. We also got to do alot of snorkeling. One of the girls seen a reef shark so we all soon hopped back in the boat.

Back to Havelock, where we done a proper snorkel trip with a company. The site was really good, seen a massive Octopus as soon as we got out the boat.

Havelock to Long Island. Here there is only one hostel and no real roads which means that apart from a few motorbikes there are no cars! Bonus! The hostel was really good, had this massive tree in the middle with hammocks all about.

After 3 weeks of this indulgent life style is what time for us to head back and get our flight to Chennai. We got a boat to the mainland and decided to get the bus down to Port Blair. Half way down we had to go in a police convoy as the only road connecting the Islands runs through tribal area and they have know to be hostile towards outsiders. Was pretty cool. Didn't get to see any of the tribe though 😞

Back in Port Blair we went for a short trip to Viper Island - all of 15 mins. Most pointless trip ever.

As soon as we arrived in Chennai we got the bus to Pondicherry as I didn't want to spend my birthday in a city. Pondy as it's affectionately called is really Euro feeling. They have people to pick up the litter which is always a bonus.

Had pizza for my birthday. Exciting!

This was a rather dull entry. However Andaman islands are amazing. They make Goa look like Blackpool. Soooooooo glad we came here. I am the most tanned I have ever been. (Not much by most peoples opinion!)

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