It was our second day at Port Blair. It was planned to make a trip to
North Bay Island (water borne and Under water activities) and Viper Island Where
freedom fighters of first war of independence were jailed by British.
Starting at about 0800 we all, in our best of travel cloths,
reached the Water Sports Jetty to take a boat for this trip. Water sports jetty
is where the morning activity of boats
going to North Bay, Ross and viper islands. As we reached the jetty, the diving
companies approached us claiming that we have to book our activities
particularly diving here it self. I did book a fun dive. It is a different
story that there is no need to pre book any activity. All of these people have
their set up at North Bay and everything can be booked there (and may be at
better bargain depending on the customer base for the day)
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| Clear Water Sea Urchins can be seen from Jetty |
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| Water Sports Jetty |
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| A View of Public Garden from Water Sports Jetty at Port Blair |
It was a rainy morning. It was drizzling off and on. Weather was
heavy and we were worried about sea state while travelling by boat. However, by
the time we sat in the boat, weather had improved a bit. Taking 0830 boat which
started little late we reached North Bay in about 40 minutes. As the boat
approached the jetty (temporary one made from floating plastic blocks) the
sales man landed up on the boat. The introduction given by him about the
underwater activities that you can do there was good but he was primarily
selling the Russian Glass Bottom boat and Semi Submarine rides (each costing
1850 and 1800 per person respectively). Our views about the activities here are
coming up later in this post.
North Bay appeared to be a beautiful island whose small beach area
was utilized for various activities. There were centers of various water sport
organization on the beach. Apart from them there were places to eat and also
toilets were available for ladies and gents. Also available was fresh water at
per bucket rate (I think Rs 10 per bucket) for taking fresh water bath post a
dip in the sea.
We went for Russian boat ride. This boat has a big under water
kens fitted for viewing the marine life under water. It is a high speed boat
which moves out at slower speed for better viewing and comes back at high speed
to give high speed boat ride thrill to passengers. The boat also had a guide to
tell us about various underwater fishes and corals.
We also wanted to take a semi
submarine ride but after talking to fellow passengers we dropped that
plan as they did not recommend it. Thereafter I went off for fun diving. In
this the instructor gives you the briefing about signage during diving ( hand signals). There after he
straps on the oxygen cylinder, put on the eye mask and mouth pipe on you and
makes you practice the breathing using the oxygen tank.
Once the practice is over you are taken underwater. Unlike regular
diving where it is essential to know how to swim, in the fun dive all you have
to do is breath properly using oxygen from the mouth piece and see the
underwater world. The diver accompanying you is the one swimming and also
carrying you along. It is thus a very safe and enjoyable activity. My fun dive
along with underwater video that they take and underwater photos (both given to
you later in the day) lasted for an hour.
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| Diving Dry Practise |
After having something to eat and a cup of tea we took the return
boat which was to take us to Viper island and then back to Port Blair. Boat
ride to Viper took another 40 minutes or so.
Viper was the earliest
penal settlement created with two hundred of our soldiers who fought against British
in first war of independence in 1857. Since the ship that brought them here was
called Viper, the island was named after it. At that time it had separate jails
for men and women. The inmates were regularly taken to Ross island to build the
settlement for British.
Viper now has only a Gallows Room on a hillock, a impressive red
coloured building beautifully constructed but used for hanging people. This is
where some very famous people / freedom fighters were hanged by British. Most
other old structures are now nonexistent. Major damage to them was caused by
2004 tsunami. It is a place that makes one emotional.
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| Details of Fansi Ghar |
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| Fansi Ghar, Beautiful Building and Shedy Past |
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| Beam used for Hanging of 1857 warriors |
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| So Called Kachahari or Court (kangaroo Court) |
We returned to Port Blair through Marine Jetty. Rest of the day
was spent in a small trip to Aberdeen bazaar and dinner etc.
As for under water sports are concerned, we did not find the
Russian glass water boat worth its cost of Rs 1850 per person. The semi
submarine ride also is hyped at Rs 1800 per person. Other activities can be
done but then too we felt that they are better done at Havelock or Neil
islands.
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