After 2½ hrs of a posh flight the aircraft took a final left for the landing. The view of the island clusters camouflaged in the thick fog of clouds, was enchanting. As I peeped through the tiny aircraft window, my fancy could feel the warm and welcoming ocean wind breezing through my hair. The aircraft taxied, came to a final halt and the (aircraft gates) opened. I was thrilled to rush out of the aircraft and jump onto the tarmac. The fragrance of saline oceanic air and palm leaves filled my lungs and energized my spirit.
As we stepped out of the arrival gate, a chaos of taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers could be heard from a distance, shouting and howling to offer a paid ride. Before they could swarm us with various bargains, our rickshaw driver Parthiban (drives car/auto) came to the rescue. We fled in his rickshaw, dazzling with local themed interiors. It is advisable to book a taxi or a rickshaw prior to your arrival to get reasonable rates on your ride.
Parthiban dropped us off at a budgeted guest house and also was helpful enough to book our tickets for a Cellular Jail sound and light show.
Visiting timings:
Open on all days except Monday and National holidays
09:00 am - 12:30 pm
13:30 pm to 17:00 pm
Entry Fees: Yes, different rates for camera and video-shooting
Cellular Jail is a prominent feature of Andaman Islands. Infamously known as Kaala Paani, Cellular Jail is an old colonial prison situated in Port Blair. Many Indian political prisoners were exiled and executed here by the British. Some of the most remarkable prisoners here were Batukeshwar Dutt and Veer Savarkar. Veer Savarkar was sentenced to two life terms of imprisonment totalling fifty years and was moved to the Cellular Jail.
Light and sound show timings:
18:15 pm – Hindi
19:15 pm – English
We opted for a Hindi light show to feel the true essence of the narrated story. As the reel played and depicted the torture and the torment inflicted on our national heroes, barely anyone could hold the tears from rolling down. I was stunned, grieved and low-spirited when I left the venue.
After the light show, Parthiban took us to a spot from where we could see an amazing view of a twinkling runway under a starry sky.
After a memorable and sentimental day, it was time to feast on some local delicacies at a near-by food joint and have a good night sleep.
shubhratri...
see you on day 2...