Trip to Port Blair

Holidays for me had always meant the mountains. If asked for my choice of a place to visit it would invariably be the hills. But all that changed once i landed on Port Blair.

When the plans were being made, i cant say i agreed to it wholeheartedly or was thrilled. But i had to accept it since i was totally outvoted this time by the others. So on 12th oct at 5.30 a.m we reported at Dumdum airport. It had been quite a long time since i had alighted a flight (seven years to be exact) so i had sort of forgotten the dual experience of flying above the clouds and getting my ear buzzed up at the same time.
As we approached the capital of Andaman, the sight below was absolutely splendid. The sea below was a mixture of sea green(near the islands), light blue after that and then a darker shade of blue. The islands themselves were totally green and sprawled with semi-white beaches. As we were ducking in and around the clouds the experience became even more better.

Finally at 9.30 a.m. we reached the airport. After collecting our baggage as we were making our journey towards the hotel, to my surprise the roads were totally windy and high, as we find in the mountains. It was then i noticed that Port Blair was a perfect mix of hills and sea together. This perfect blend made the city actually look beautiful from a hilltop (or maybe it was my prejudice towards the mountains which made it seem so pretty to me !).

Anyway on the same evening we went to see the famous Cellular Jail where prisoners used to be deported for life. But since we had reached late we couldn't visit the jail and so had to satisfy ourselves with the light and sound show which later proved to be both interesting and informative. Since we still had some time to kill before the show began, we went to see the jetty from which our ship was to sail the next day. We also saw the Marina park. And after a bit of shopping in Aberdeen Market for token gifts to be taken back home for relatives and friends, we were back in front of the jail.
The show itself was amazing.We actually learnt a lot about the 'then' dreaded 'kala pani.' The tortures which the freedom fighters and other prisoners had to face, made us pause and ponder how much they had really borne for us and how much they had loved their motherland. It really made me stand up at the end of the show and salute all those heroes who had given up their lives for us.

On 13th Oct. we took the 9.30 a.m. boat and our agenda included:-Ross island, North bay island, viper island.
Ross island was the place where the Britishers had originally settled & had built it up into a new town complete with church, bakery, water supply tank,club and food supply stores. Although the place is in ruins but one can still make out how magnificent it once might have been. The most significant thing that we learnt about this island was that when Tsunami had occurred Ross island had borne the full impact and had saved Port Blair from a major disaster.
The next island was North bay where we saw corals and different coloured fishes from a glass bottom boat.After reaching the shore all of us had gone for a swim(the sea is very calm over here and has no waves at all). After that i went for snorkeling and saw the coloured corals,weeds and school of fishes from an even closer distance.
The last one was Viper island where the ruins of the gallows still remains.The island got its name from the person who had discovered it.But there is also the rumour that the island was once infested with deadly viper snakes and hence the name.

After returning from these islands we headed straight back for the cellular jail as we were determined this time to see it properly.Inside the jail we saw the cells, the gallows,the central tower & their work shed. The entire jail was in the form of a wheel with 7 spokes.The cells were in such a position that no prisoner could see/hear his neighbour. Each block was also constructed in such a manner that there was no connection with the next. So there were times when the prisoners had no idea where their friends were for months at end. After this we returned to our hotel.


14th morning began with our journey to Red skin island where we bathed and went snorkeling again. But en route to this island we also saw the after effects of Tsunami. One entire stretch of land was totally waterlogged,coconut trees were snapped in half,leafless trees ,and barely recognisable houses.

15th Oct.began by getting up at 2.30 a.m. as our bus was supposed to leave at 3.30 a.m. That day we were going to Baratang and see the famous Jarwa tribe. There are 5 types of known tribes in Andaman but the most dominant is the Jarwa tribe.
These jarwas resembled the African tribesmen with their curly short cropped hair, coal black skin and vibrant coloured clothes. Over there we also saw limestone caves and an actual mud volcano! Mud volcano? I know all of you would be raising an eyebrow now but believe me guys this thing actually exists and can be apparently dangerous too as it vents out Methane and other natural gases along with sand and clay.

On 16th we decided to take it easy and just go for local touring around the city.But i decided to take a bit of tour on my own. So after everyone had left,i set off on my own.It is really strange that one takes in/notices more when one is travelling on foot.

As i was walking along I became aware that people were staring at me as i neither looked like a tourist (as i wasn't carrying anything on me) nor a native islander with my Capri, t-shirt and Esprit watch! After a while i saw that the houses were built in a typical style, with a strong influence from the hilly regions.The base was made of bricks, the walls and windows of wood and the roofs were slanting and made of tin.Some had little patches of garden with flowers growing in abundance.After an hour long walk i returned back to the hotel.

Meanwhile the others had also returned and they had seen the Sawmill factory and an Anthropological museum.I was actually happy when i heard this because that meant i hadn't missed much!In the evening we went to see another beach called Corbyn's Cove and the runway of the airport from the top of the mountain.The view below was totally breathtaking!We returned early as we had a dinner invitation from my dad's friend.And next morning we caught our flight back home.

And thus ended my beautiful vacation and i found myself facing my usual hectic schedule once again!

But hey if anyone of you are planning for a trip here's a list of basic information:-1)Oct-Dec is the best time to go there.2)the population mainly consists of Bengalis and South Indians.3)Don't use too much water(as water is supplied in the city on alternate days!)4) Don't walk on corals as you might destroy them and also hurt yourself in the process(like i did!). 5)if u are fond of fruits do not even think about buying them over there for it costs Rs. 95-100/Kg .6) It is hot there but not humid and 7)Finally do enjoy yourself!!!