Essential Andaman in 8 night / 9 days - Detailed Travelogue - Day VI

Day VI -

Having arrived yesterday and witnessed the spectacular sunset at Laxmanpur II beach, today we were to cover other attractions of Neil Island.

In  that list first place was Laxmanpur I beach (if it can be called a beach, which it is not) where we were to see Natural Bridge, a rock formation that has become a bridge due to centuries of erosion of rocks under it. here was a catch in this visit. The place can be accessed only during low tide which was around 0930 this day.

This peculiarity gave us adequate time to roam around on the sea front behind our hotel for some time. It also gave us time to have leisurely breakfast. Post breakfast and check out, we headed for Laxmanpur I (and this time I would not call it a beach). After a short travel, we reached the parking space from where it was about half a kilometer walk over the volcanic ground and then ankle deep water (thus a strong and water resistant footwear is necessary for this visit). We took a guide and moved towards the main site (and I would recommend a guide as a must).

We were looking forward to visiting the Natural Bridge. We did not know that even before we see the bridge, we would be privy to a virtual marine park kind f marine life. This became a true bonus.  These shallow ankle deep waters are home to sea anemone, sea cucumbers, star fish, etc. To get a glimpse for yourself, see the photos below.

Sea Cucumber 

Sea anemone 

Star Fish

Afer witnessing the marine life as we walked further,  the natural bridge in its pristine glory was visible. We were about to become shutterbugs when our guide told us to hold on till we go on to other side of the bridge (definitely can not be done once tide starts flooding (increasing)).

Once we crossed over to the other side skirting the bridge (no one is allowed to walk under the bridge and nor any one is allowed to climb over the bridge) we realised how true his statement was. The bridge is even grander viewed from the other side (may be because morning sun rays come from that side). The view was just awesome.

Natural  Bridge

See this is what is called Natural Bridge

Had to Support this Falling Rock

We visited Bharatpur beach next( the whole of Ramayan is present in Neil but surprisingly Ram is missing) which is The Beach in Neil where one can either enjoy the beauty of the place or indulge into taking a dip into the sea or enjoy water sports and if one is very enthusiastic, both can be done, enjoying the beauty and also water based activities. We, however, opted for only viewing the beauty.

Seen Such Colours ever - Bharatpur Beach

Makruuz Liner

Boats to take people for Seaborne Activities

There are a large number of shops here who are selling sea shells, Shankhs, a variety of T - Shirts, tea, coconut water, etc. It is where I picked up a Shankh and learned to blow it. Having managed to blow this smaller one, I bought another bigger one which was even easier to blow.

After spending adequate time at Bharatpur beach we headed to Sitapur beach. It is a horse shoe shaped  beach (well, almost there type, not truly horse shoe shape) with tree lined smaller mountains on both ends. This beach is also not safe for swimming. This is where we photographed the beach (nothing new about it) and had our Titanic moments with romantic photography (that was after a long time).

Sita Pur Beach

Sun and Sand

One more View

It was time to catch our Makruzz Ferry (which was on Jetty for some ime as it has over one hour layoff at Neil). After a jurney of over one and half hour we were back to Port Blair.

Essential Andaman in 8 night / 9 days - Detailed Travelogue - DAY IV

Day 4 - 20th Jan

The main attraction for this morning was to visit Elephant beach. Elephant Beach is very much on the main island of Havelock and can be trekked by foot from SH 4, which happens to be one of the two main roads , other being SH 5, on Havelock. I am told it takes about 45 minutes on foot from SH 4 and that one has to wade through knee deep water for some distance, may be 100 meters.

Leaving our resort by about 0830 hrs, we reached the beach next to Jetty in about 20 minutes. Here we were met by our travel coordinator who put us with the boat navigator. Once the number of passengers were gathered, we boarded the boat and were promptly handed one life jacket each.

It must be mentioned that all the operators at Andamans, of every service, are very particular about things that are important. Yesterday, at Radhanagari Beach, the street vendors were very particular that no tourist  litters the beach. The boat to North Bay island at Port Blair as also the boat operator of this boat going to Elephant Beach did not move the boat unless all passengers had donned their life Jackets. I felt that only way responsible tourism can progress is this, very proper behavior by all working in tourism sector.

The boat journey was fun and lasted for about 30 minutes. Once we disembarked, we were delighted with a compact and pristine white beach. We were happy to see all the options of water sports that were available at North Bay island were available here too. While the ladies of our group did not enjoy most of the water borne activities, they decided to just soak in water at beach.

Elephant Beach

Since I had already done fun dive at North Bay, I wanted to do Snorkeling at this place. One more member also joined me and we did snorkeling and enjoyed the underwater beauty of the fishes, corals and other sea species.

Snorkelling guides

Post Snorkeling we all decided to do a trip on Glass Bottom Boat. The Russian Boat experience at North Bay had made us skeptical about this tirp but to our surprise we found this ride enjoyable, much better than the Russian Boat Ride and way economical than that ride.

On our return to the beach we had change of clothes (very logical step). While change room and fresh water facilities were available on the beach, the water in Andamans is not as saline as it is on main land. Hence all of us dropped the Bath part. All that was left for us before getting back in the designated boat was usual fill of eatables and tea, etc.

We left Elephant Beach by about 1230 and reached Havelock is about 30 minutes. By then we were hungry. We had read about a place called “Something Different”. We looked for this place and liked it in our first look. We decided to have lunch there. This place is located nearly on a beach (Beach No 2) where one can go and enjoy view of shimmering blue water.

Emerald Green water at Beach No 2

Beautiful Mangroves 

One more Snap

Coast at Beach 2

They have a very big place with multiple type of seating starting from lower ones to tall tables. The choice is of the customer. We found a suitable seating of our liking and ordered our food on the recommendation of the Captain there. The food also included a full tandoori fish. While the food was good and we enjoyed it what lingers even today in our mind is the Tandoori Fish and its wonderful appearance and taste.

Wow, No Wifi. Happy tp Naote

Seating Orthogonal Chairs

Tall Seating

Normal Seating

Low Seating, Almost Indian Style

Innovative Table Mat

Another Look

Tandoor Fish, looked and tested good

Post lunch we retired to our room at TSG resort and rested till about 1530. The rest was followed by our visit, second one, to Radhanagari Beach (at walking distance from TSG Blue). The sun was bright at that time and having been to water yesterday, we choose to just sit and enjoy till we get to see sun set.

When we reached there, it was bright sunshine. We thought the clouds would obliged us today and we could view the fabulous sunset from this beach. That however did not happen. Just short of sunset, the clouds landed up and obscured the sun. Luck was not our side. 

Bright Sun at radhanagari, But Clouds Lurk

Beautiful Cloud Pattern but our Sunset Ruined

Post sundown, the weather becomes less hot and the breeze picks up. It was nice to be on the beach for some time. 

Me - Bheed ke Beech Aakela (Just Joking)

Loungers on the Beach

It's a Popular Beach

We returned to the resort after some time, had our dinner and slept off. 

Essential Andaman in 8 night / 9 days - Detailed Travelogue - Day II

Day 2 - 18th Jan

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)

Clear Water  Sea Urchins can be seen from Jetty

Water Sports Jetty

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.

Diving Dry Practise

Me Underwater

Wow Experoence

Beaming after successful Dive

People going for Snorkling

Divers in Foreground and Snorkelers in the back ground

Balance group did not go for snorkeling or regular glass bottom boat / sea walk. They had fun soaking in water and photography. The water in Andamans is not as saline as it is on the west coast. I did not feel too much salt deposits on the body and consequently a need to take a fresh water bath.

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.

Details of Fansi Ghar

Fansi Ghar, Beautiful Building and Shedy Past

Beam used for Hanging of 1857 warriors 

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.