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Published: August 9th 2008
It was a long time wish to visit the Andamans though heard lot of it right from child hood in books and through friends. It was again as usual in the month of May 2008 we set off to Port Blair from Chennai on the 10 th May. It was quiet humid and the flight took off at 6 am. We were all excited as in two hours from then we would be landing in the emerald islands and enjoy the enchanting beauty. It was 7 am in the clock after an hour of take off when we heard an announcement in the aircraft saying the "Port Blair airport was flodded due to severe thunderstorm previous night and we are returning to Chennai as flights cannot land! " It was a real disappointment and also some worry. We came back to chennai airport and the message was there are no flights that day.I cancelled my ticket and booked through Jet airways the next day after taking their confirmation on the take off. We met a family from Bangalore Mr. Goplaakrishnan ) who were also equally dissappointed and we exchanged our feelings. They were also in the same hotel we had stayed.
Lamp Shades.
Lovely lamp shades made out of shells.It was on 11 th May we set off again to the Island with a hope to reach safey and enjoy our holidays. The view from the aircraft as we were nearing the island was splendid and awesome. The green islands with blue water surrounding gave an enchanting look and we were all awe struck at this very sight. Landed at 8.15 am at Port Blair. The airport was indeed with sheets of water and even the lobby was filled with water, this was being cleaned continuously. We then headed to the Beach resort where we had done the bookings. The resort was neat and clean and also had a salt water swimming pool. We quickly planned for the day's trip as we already lost one day after start.
The local trip for the day was visit to the anthropology museum, the famous cellular jail, Handicraft market and teh famous Cellular Jail. The cellular jail really makes one feel how cruel the in mates were treated and the miserable life they lead there. The gallows, the dark cells, names of the in mates all that really shakes you up. Cellular Jail, stood mute witness to the tortures meted
Bowl and spoon.
Bowl and spoon made out of large shell. out to the freedom fighters, who were incarcerated in this Jail. The Jail, completed in the year 1906 acquired the name, ‘cellular’ because it is entirely made up of individual cells for the solitary confinement of the prisoners. It originally was a seven pronged.
We stopped over for a coffee at a hotel and here took snap of a giant crab in a local hotel where you can select the crab of your choice to be fried ! These are kept in a glass enclosure for you to choose.Though I am a pure vegetarian , just tried holding a crab with a string ! This reminded me of my Zoology class days at college. After some walking we came to the room.
The view from the hotel balcony was breath taking facing the sea and some ships sailing at a distance, also a few fishing boats in the blue waters. We went around the hotel walked down the back yard which leads to the winding road to the other side of the town. The view was splendid and we did click some good snaps out here.
The next day was the tour to the nearby Ross Island
Shiny shells
Smooth and shiny shells were very attractive. and the North Bay Island. We were dropped at the ferry point by the cab driver. He was speaking in fluent Hindi as it is the local language here. He told us about the place and the town in particular. It started raining and we were soon packed in the ferry carrying around 160 passengers in all. There were wooden seats lined up both sides and we were soon off to the Ross Island. The Ross Island once the head quarters of the British Army. The whole island was in ruins of over 150 years old buildings amid the green patch of land and it was a splendid scene. It started drizzling and we went around the place. The market place, bakery, the Japanese Bunker is in fact intact till now. the centre of the island has a memorial with photographs of the British army who camped there and the different places in the island. The boat man was reminding of the time and we had to go to the North Bay after this point. The trip to North Bay was good and it was still raining, the view from the ferry was awesome. the green island, blue waters and
Map of Andaman
ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR the rocky shores were all adding to the beauty.
The local guide now gave a lecture on the importance of the ocean life and tempted us to try out the snorkeling. The ferry was stopped around 200 meters from the shore and from here we were transferred to a speed boat to reach the shore. We soon changed in to our swimming suits and the guide gave us the snorkeling equipments and we were off with him in to the waters. The ocean bed was muddy and we were not able to see clearly but he insisted that we go further down and we were not ready as the weather was rough. We however did some swimming and enjoyed in the water thoroughly.
It all started now when we were put back in to ferry after crossing by the speed boat, the ferry started the journey towards the main island which is a good 45 minutes. The ferry was slowly picking up momentum and when we were in the mid sea it started raining , accompanied by very strong winds. This made the tides go up and down and the ferry started tossing with a see saw effect.
The entrance
The gate which was the last entry for many freedom fighters. This worried every one as it increased and I started counting the number of life jackets dumped along the roof of the ferry. It was around 160 approximately and we were 150 but if the ferry is tossed and we are thrown out will this jacket help , the very thought made me shiver. The kids were watching the high seas and all of us were praying for safety reaching the shore.. The wind was so strong that the ferry turned on its own to other direction and it was totally out of the normal route. The ferry man called on mobile to check how the condition was at the Chatham mill point which is the other option, when he got a green signal he headed towards the other end slowly. Weird thoughts ran over my mind as what would happen if we are drifted to a unknown island like the survival series in Discovery Channel !
We also saw another ferry following us and then slowly the weather calmed down as we came nearer to the shore.
We all really heaved a sigh of relief and were back at the hotel. Dinner time was spent just discussing
The Cellular Jail
The symbol of torture and pain the day's trip and we wound up the day.
The next day's trip was indeed earmarked for the visit to the Havelock island but we could not make it as the weather was rough and we setteled for the Mount Harriet visit. This is a lovely hill station in the island and the highest point in Port Blair. We took a cab to reach the top, the route through the town, the Tsunami hit area was really reminding of the fateful day. the cab driver told us many people lost their houses and lives after the christmas of 2004. We reached the hill station and went around the place. There was a trekking route which we explored for only a kilometere and returned as the route was infested with leeches after the heavy rains. We used salt to remove some leeches from my wife's leg. As advised by the hotel staff we carried match box and salt as a precaution.The view from the top of the hill was superb and we could see the North bay & the Ross Island. It was green all over and quite pleasant. We just settled down at the small restaurant and had a
hot cup of tea and had our snacks we carried along.
The return trip was partly by ferry and then by road, the car also was ferried with us and we were back to the hotel. The evening was spent going around the hotel and watched a movie in their private theatre. We were all quite tired and went to bed early.
The next day's trip was ear marked for the Baratang island and the much awaited trip through the jungles to see the tribes. The local tribes are called Jharawas who have negroid features and are medium built.
After some negotiiations with the travel desk on the charges ,we set off to the jungles. The trip was scheduled at early morning at 7.30 am as the initial travel by road is good 4 hours and then by ferry. The route was splendid throughout. After about 3 hours we were informed by the cab driver that we can look out for the tribes along the road side or in the thickets . He warned us not to use the camera or video as the natives are dead against this and they could attack ferociously. We had to give
The structure
680 cells, small, dark and only the ocean waves and the birds sound as company for the inmates.!! an undertaking the previous day that we will abide by the rules. The other rules were not to pull down the glass of the car window, not to speak to them and not to offer any eatable to them. We were also informed that this rule was made strict as one of the tourist offered some cake to the tribe which caused severe problem to him and later died !. The cake we relish has become a poison to them , may be as the saying goes one man's food is another's poison.
It was my daughter who was scanning through both sides of the jungle through the cab window,spotted a tribe and told us quitely to watch, yes we did see a native with some white spots painted over his face and was looking a bit scary. He was carrying the poison dipped arrows and was just staring at us without batting the eye lid. It was indeed a bit frightening.
We kept moving and soon saw a group of 3-4 tribes walking along the road side and going into the jungles. They were all dressed in typical tribal dress, half clad.
We soon saw a
Gallows
Three at a time ! young boy slidng from the hill and landing along the road side and walking normally as if nothing has happened. I saw the slope he came down and was amazed as we were used only to the normal slide in the park holding tight at both ends to control the speed , lol ! We soon reached the Baratang Island. We went around for an hour at Oralkatcha as we were short of time to go to the mud caves which is further down. After we boarded the ferry for the return trip we explored the ferry went to the roof top , had some snaps with the captain and also holding the wheel ! It was a thrillling expereince and we aslo saw the other ferry following us with the cars and bused loaded.
Oralkatcha is the place is where my friend Rajeev stayed during his child hood & at present in Dubai. We took some snaps here and then boarded the jetty to the spot where the vehicle was parked.
We were back to the hotel after this memorable trip to the Baratang Island . The next day's plan of visiting the Havelock Island was dropped
Veer Savarka's cell
10 long years in prison. due to bad weather and there were no ferry service available. This was quite disappointing as this is one of the lovely spots nearby Port blair with white sand beach. It is a 4 hour trip by sea from Port blair and needs one full day or more. We then went to the nearby Corbyn's cove. Though it was raining it was a lovely scene at the beach overlooking the rocky mountain. We spent about an hour here and were back to the hotel. The evening was booked for the light and sound show at the Cellular Jail. The prgramme was splendid. A beautiful narration of how the jail was built and the interactions of the in mates with the British jailer were narrated. The colourful lights illuminating the cells were really awesome and was a sight we would remember for ever. The struggle of freedom fighter's were also narrated. The show was for an hour or so and was very impressive.
Now the last day of the trip and it was time to say good bye to the lovely island. The flight was at 8 am. we packed off and landed at Chennai by 10.30 am.
It
The top
The roof of the Jail. was indeed a unforgettable trip. See you soon with a new entry and another travel experience,
Bye for now.
Ramz,
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ramesh
non-member comment
Andaman trip
Made interesting reading! Especially the frightening ferry trip in rough sea. Cellular jail experience was poignant. Would definitely like to visit the place sometime soon.