Camera, check, lenses, check, an empty memory card, check and rechargeable batteries to last the whole trip, check. One could forget to pack almost anything to the Andamans, but it surely shouldn’t be one’s camera. What these islands promised was a photographer’s delight, gifting us the perfect shot wherever we positioned our cameras. After a few discussions on what we wanted to photograph and almost convulsed with excitement, we — my classmates and I — boarded our flight to Port Blair.
Port Blair, the touristy part of our itinerary, was going to be only a two-day stay. While there, we visited the two most iconic places on these Islands. The Cellular Jail, known popularly as Kaala Pani, now serves as a national memorial museum which is sure to ignite patriotism. Walking along the echoing halls of the prison, one can’t help but wonder about the brave patriots who perished within them for the sake of our freedom. Shaken by the experience we went back to the town and visited a couple of beaches, that included the Corbin’s Cove, a huge draw for tourists every year. One can even get on to a ferry service from the town, that takes one to nearby islands, like Ross Island, and many more.
On our third day, we left Port Blair early in the morning to reach Wandoor, which is about an hour’s drive. We stayed at the unique Anet Resort, a completely eco-friendly place, with cosy huts for rooms. The Wandoor beach is a five-minute walk away, with scuba diving facilities there. What makes Wandoor perfect for diving is the harmonious marriage of crystal clear waters and rich coral, aquatic life. Most of us enrolled in a three-day course and saw the world from an angle we’d never seen before. This was the highlight of my trip.
We went back to Port Blair, primarily as it connects to all parts, to go to Chidiya Tapu, located around 40 km from the town, offering the most spectacular sunsets. Walking along the beach there, alongside its turquoise waters, was like living in a picture postcard.
Our next desitnation was Havelock, which we reached by ferry. Accommodation here was very affordable and even budget beachside resorts provided incredible food and great facilities.
Each one of us became mini-Magellans and would go off to discover our own sites. With each beach as pristine as the last, it became a case of too much to see in too little time. The Radhanagar beach, rated as ‘Asia’s Best Beach’ by Time Magazine, is placid and remains gentle with hardly any wave action. The water here is exceptional and of very high quality, making it a must visit for any traveller.
Another feature of Havelock that made it unforgettable for us were the scooters and bikes we rented, which gave us the freedom to explore every inch of this paradise.
Going over a few last checks on the places we might have missed out on, we went back to Port Blair to catch our flight back to Chennai. As we flew past the Islands, we bid goodbye to not just the place, but also a small part of us that refused to return to the mainland.
How to get there:
Andaman’s airport is easily connected via flight from Chennai.
One can even take a ship from Chennai or Visakhapatnam to reach Port Blair which takes almost four days to arrive in Port Blair.
The best time to visit is during January and February when it warm and sunny.
