A VISIT TO PORT BLAIR HAVELOCK

We were planning to visit Port Blair since last four years but couldn’t due to one or the other reasons. This time I got the opportunity to impart training to the officials of Andaman UT Administration which I accepted happily. I reached Port Blair on 23.11.2016 along with my co-faculty and namesake Ravindra Kumar. Seema joined me on 25.11.2016. Another friend of mine Rajesh Munjal and his wife also joined us the same day.

On 25.11.2016, we saw Light and Music Show

in the Cellular Jail. Cellular Jain, notoriously known as Kala Pani, located at Port Blair, stood mute witness to the tortures meted out to the freedom fighters by the British. Out of the seven wings of the jail, only three exist now. There was a separate small cell for each prisoner. The jail is prepared in such a way that no prisoner can see any other prisoner. During the show, the tortures meted out by the prisoners were explained in detail. It is a must watch show.

26.11.2016

In the morning, we saw cellular jail. We hired a guide. The guide told us rare and least known such as the Japanese also had taken over the jail for keeping their prisoners for three years from 1942-1945. Thereafter, we left to catch ship for Havelock islands schedulee to start at 12.30 pm. My co-faculty went to visit Ross Island and North Bay Island as he had to leave for Delhi the next day. We went by Green Ocean, a private ship company as we couldn’t get the tickets of Government jetty. We enjoyed very much on the ship. There was a small

canteen on the ship. After half an hour, music was on and the young boys and girls started dancing. One of the girls danced so well that the canteen officials offered her some eatable in appreciation. On reaching Havelock, we hired a taxi and went to Dolphin Resort to check our stay arrangements etc. Dolphin Resorts, managed by Andaman Government and a very well and nicely constructed place, is situated on Vijay Nagar Beach. After confirming our stay arrangement, we rushed for Radha Nagar Beach to see the sun-set. Radha Nagar is the most famous beach in

the Andaman Islands. It has been crowned as “Asia’s best beach” and “7th best beach in the world” by Time Magazine. It truly is an unforgettable curve of white sand with perfectly colored blue waters, all lined by lush forest and palm trees. It is easy to enjoy this postcard perfect beach – lie down and marvel at the sunset, or go in for a quick swim. We couldn’t watch the sun-set due to thick clouds. We came back to the hotel after spending some time on the beach.

During our evening stroll we saw a big colorful snake. As I have spent my childhood days in a village where water snake was a common sight, I was under the impression that this snake

would not be poisonous and thus we examined the snake as closely as half a foot. However, fear crept in retrospectively when next morning we were incidentally cautioned about such snakes as these are very poisonous.

27.11.2016

We got up early in the morning and went to beach. The location of our room was so good that we could see beach from our balcony.

We did Scuba diving which was a thrilling and unforgettable experience. Initially only Seema was scheduled to do it, and the other three

had no such plans due to health reasons, I because of BP, Rajesh as he had recently undergone an operation for stone in his kidney and Bhabhiji because of some breathing problem. Subsequently, however, we all four did it and no one could explain the enjoyment in words. We returned to Port Blair in the evening.

28.11.2016

Almost half day was spent for arranging tickets and permit for Jolly Buoy Island for the next day. In the afternoon we visited Ross Island.

Ross Island is located very near to Port Blair and thus can be easily reached within few minutes. Regular ferries connect the island with Port Blair Marine Park. The island was the headquarter of the British colony in Andaman and Nicobar. On visiting the island, one can realize why British chose it as their headquarter. The place gives picturesque view from all sides.

Ross still has ruins of some of the buildings that were built during British period. Though these have now been engulfed by the roots of huge trees but watching these buildings makes one nostalgic. An added perk is the number of Peacocks, Deer and Ducks you can spot at the

Island. This island also is a must visit place.

29.11.2016

Jolly Buoy Island, no man's land, is very famous for underwater corals and the pristine clear beach. This place is one hour journey from Wandoor beach. Snorkeling and scuba diving are available here also. This is located in Mahatma Gandhi National Park. Wandoor beach is 30 Kms from Port Blair by road. This route is same for visiting Red Skin Island also. Both Jolly buoy and Red skin are located at Mahatma Gandhi National park. The normal time for leaving to Jolly Buoy Island at

Wandoor beach is 9.00 am. Jolly buoy is a No Plastic zone. Visitors have to hire water bottles to carry water as plastic bottles are not allowed. One has to deposit a security amount of INR 100 against each plastic item. One gets the amount back on return of the same items. When we visited the place, only two motor boats (port charter boats) along with small boats (for coral view) brought all the visitors. Jolly buoy Island is just like an end of the world place. Surrounding the Jolly buoy island there are other islands with thick forests. One

can enjoy the running sea view between these islands.

One can enjoy the underwater coral view through snorkeling, Scuba diving or from the glass bottom boat. Normally, while alighting the ship and transporting to the island through small boats, visitors are shown these underwater corals through glass bottom, only a very short duration (5 to 10 minutes). People willing to see more of these can hire a boat independently and enjoy. Additional amount has to be paid (INR 500) for each ride for 30 to 45 minutes. Additional amount has to be paid also for snorkeling and scuba diving.
One can enjoy the island up to 2.00 pm and the return journey starts between 2.00 to 2.30 pm.

Jolly Buoy Island is not open throughout the year as it is protected for live corals. When the Jolly buoy island is closed for visitors, usually Red Skin Island is open. So at any time of the year either of the islands is open for visitors.

30.11.2016

As ill luck would have it, we came to Delhi through three different flights, I in Jet Airways, Rajesh and Bhabhiji in Indigo and Seema in Spicejet. Philosophically, one comes alone and goes alone. So no regrets.