Before starting the journey i would like to clarify that it was a Honeymoon trip. I got married on 10th December and since international travels are not allowed we chose Andamans and Nicobar island. It was worth every penny. A little history about the island is important (source: Google), without much a do i start and you will enjoy the ride i promise.
The name Andaman is presumed to be derived from Hanuman, who was known to the Malays as Handuman. The name Nicobar seems to be a corruption of the South Indian term 'Nakkavaram' (Land of the Naked) as indicated in the great Tanjore inscription of AD 1050.Situated on the ancient trade route between India and Myanmar, the Andamans were visited by the navy of the English East India Company in 1789, the two sets of islands became a union territory of the Republic of India in 1956. Andaman and Nicobar Islands became a part of British India in 1869. The primary purpose was to set up a penal colony for dissenters and those fighting for India's freedom. Thus was built the infamous Cellular Jail also known as "KALAPANI".
Our flight was connecting via Bangalore and 2 different airlines. Timings varied almost twice putting our trip in jeopardy but "honi ko kaun taal sakta tha". We landed in Port blair at 2:30 pm followed by Covid test which happened in Port blair airport only. Cost is Rs500 and this report is required everywhere you go.
Since we had already booked our hotel which was Sea Shell resorts we immediately hired a taxi to the resort. Taxi charged 100rs and 50rs waiting since we wanted to eat locally before going to the resort.
The most famous place like Annapurna restaurant was closed due to covid so we just took a small walk in market to search something and found "Hotel Kattaboman" a small joint serving south indian food. we ordered idli plate and Chai of course and as expected it was so good i couldn't resist eating chutney over and over again. Even the owner was like how many times you require chutney for 2 pcs of idli.
They didn't have milk supplies enough so everywhere you will be given milk powder tea which is a bit let down as we are a huge chai lovers. We paid the bill and went to the hotel. Just when we reached it started raining heavily which even made our day. We had beach view room and view was mesmerizing.
We just wanted to rest that day so we slept for a few hours and then went to the Roof top cafe restaurant named "Amaya" being the most popular among tourists. Ambience and food was great and also they serve Liquor. Day ended well.
We gathered info from some hotel staff about the places and timings and went straight to the Tourism office to gather furthur info about the cellular jail ticket and light and sound show at evening but the tickets were online and we didn't get much of the help from there. Adding to our vows we couldn't go to Jolly bouy, Ross island and North bay island because a day before you need to inform and book ferry tickets. Since no water sport activity was happening in Port blair bleaches we decided to skip everything and just visit 2 beach Carbyn Coves and Wandoor beach.
Also we checked out of Sea shell as per plan that we will spent max time in Havelock. Morning 9am we checked in to Kevin's bed and breakfast. We also booked scooty on rent for Rs500/- for 24hrs so that we can visit beaches on our own. It was arranged by the kevin's owner and it was ready when we checked in. Once our ride came we went straight to Tourism office and then Carbyn cove beach. Beach ride was amazing due to the roads and weather condition. Along the beach and ups and downs of roads we had our moments. Since the number of tourist are less and mostly couples we can only see 2-3 couples chilling. We had chai and samosa chat and planned our next day stay at Havelock.
We left at around 1:30 pm to Wandoor beach. A small white sand beach around 24km from that place going from within the city. Just then i realized to take beer along just to have little fun at beach otherwise it was all dead. Finding wine shop was most difficult part.
Liquor shop opens at 10am and get closes at 12pm. Then again opens at 2 till 5pm. It was on the backside of the building with no sign boards at all and such a shady place i tell you. Somehow i managed to get the beer and we went straight to wandoor beach. A local shop owner was nice and let me chill my beer inside his kulfi matki. We didn't actually roamed the beach, we found beach property we were unaware of and asked for lunch. They agreed and while sitting having beer we had our lunch there. Sea princess property was lavish and provide a very decent stay at nominal price.
We finished and moved back since it was dark and reached somehow to our hotel. Airtel and Jio will not work so we could't able to book our tickets to the light and sound show, had to call brother in Delhi and got our tickets. Show was at 8 pm with seating arranegement in the open. Listening to the stories of freedom fighters was bone chilling and how inhuman treatment they got there. It's so painful to hear those stories especially in Om puri's voice. With the hope to catch the Govt. ferry tomorrow morning we slept early.
Day 3: Struggle to reach Havelock
As per plan we went the harbor 5 in the morning as Govt. ferry was around 6 am and next was around 12:30pm. 2-3 days back only additional 1 ferry was added as tourist was coming and they were only running with 2 with accommodation of 146 passengers.
We were picked by the same auto who left us at the kevins. He took us to a small tapri so that we can get our Covid test photostats. This is worth mentioning as he knew we can face problem for this, so he already was cautious. When we reached to the ferry ticket place we faced another issue of not getting listed in the names of the passengers which was supposed to be registered at DS office 1 day before. Most of the people with travel agencies already took care of by their agents but some of us who were travelling independently didn't knew. Drama went on for 2 hrs, some of the passengers didn't showed up due to which last minute entry of 3 couples were allowed and finally after much struggle we boarded our Ferry.
It was a 2.5 hrs Journey on ferry and was good. We were allowed one by one to enter the Captain Cabin and have a front deck view. Breathtaking i would say. Upon reaching the Havelock island we hired a taxi and the driver was Vicky. He dropped us at Symphony palm beach resorts which we booked a day before and took me immediately to book return ferry tickets. He was a quite jugaadu person and very helpful. We also filled the form for Helicopter ride to our way back to Port Blair.
Just adjacent to hotel was Roy travels from where we again rented scooty for a day. Although it was raining heavily we decided to at least cover Radhanagar beach to save our day. We went around 1 pm in heavy rain by scooty. Expectation was that rain has stopped and distance is only 30mins max. But after 15-20mins on the road and it started raining heavily. We had to take shed in a temple under construction. We waited for 1 hr atleast and then continued. It was amazing as the weather was pleasant and we enjoyed our ride. Most people were coming by the taxis but we dripping in rain holding umbrella in one hand reached there. Radhanager as expected was clean and beautiful. We played with the waves for few hrs and then returned covering the same route. Once we returned to our resort we had a little sleep and enjoyed the night drinking and having dinner.
Day4: Water sports activity in Havelock
Next day morning we had to go Scuba diving which was arranged by Vicky our driver. He rode us to "Island diver" and they did all the formalities with suits prep required before experiencing the marine life. Once we got ready our divers came and took us to the water. They were very nice and amicable. Once we understood the Sign language and breathing we went inside and trust me for the beginners it was magical. We were so amazed watching aquatic animals touching and moving around us. It was totally worth every penny. We went back to our Hotel had our breakfast and checked out of the Hotel. Our driver suggested for Govt. property named "Dolphin resorts" and in half the prices of what we had taken a day before.
We checked in and just simply couldn't resist walking to the beach opposite our cottage as it was so crystal clear and blue and most importantly clean. We got ready to move to the elephant beach but the trek closes at 1pm. So our plan got cancelled and we were then stuck with no plans. I with some local help purchased some beers and we sipped to the beach. At round 4 pm we went to the Fat Martin's cafe walking distance from Dolphin resort to eat nd tried Fish with lemon butter sauce and Veg biryani. Both were too good.
Since we had also arranged for Night kayaing at 7 pm our ride came at around 6:30pm to took us to the kayaking site. We did research about it so we wanted to experience that. It is also done in the day time for the photography but we chose nights as Bio illuminance can only be seen at night.(Phenomenon where the living sea creatures produces light o their own). I wanted to see Mangroves and but couldn't as due to low tides we couldn't go inside much but watching a Bio Illuminance was something different. Kayak to the point where you can see them while peddling.
We finished and came back to our hotel and rested the evening. A day well spent again.
Day 6: Elephant beach trek and a Surprise
Next day our plan was already fixed to Trek to Elephant beach where rest of the water sports activities were opened like Snorkeling/ Para ceiling etc. Since we already paid rent for 2 days so we rode on our scooty. Road to Elephant beach was the same as Radhanagar beach but it can only be Reached via trek or sea route. We didn't hired the guide but one person sticked to us and he was so desperate and convincing that we surrendered and told to pay him if he showed us the elephant. On the way he told us many things and history of the flora and fauna. He also convinced me of Snorkeling and later i actually was thankful for that.
Beach as usual for beautiful and turquoise coloured water was mesmerizing. Since i had already done Scuba so Snorkeling was easy for me but trust me both are 2 different things and equally good also. There was nothing to eat except coconut water so we had one and after soaking for about an hour we went back on same trek to the parking area.
On the way back we saw a restaurant in main market named Squid famous for it's sea food. We stopped there for lunch and again this place surprises this restaurant quietly serves beer also. I was dying to have one. We had our lunch and went back to our hotel to get some sleep. In the meanwhile i had arranged for the surprise dinner at Shangrila's walking distance from Dolphin resort. At around 9 pm we went there for and yet again the arrangement was superb. It was beautifully lit and the music along with the water noise from the beach was calming.
Since this was our last night we enjoyed to the fullest walking back thinking about the last 5 days, Stars were also walking with us. Slept our day off.
Day 6
Finally the day came where we had to stop our adventure. Early morning sunrise view was magical. We had our breakfast at 7am and left to the helipad since we had booked Helicopter ride back to port blair. Our driver Vicky took us to the helipad where they took Covid test again but also they charge extra 150 Rs/kg for the luggage which we got knew only after we had our tickets. It takes 20mins to reach port blair. Since we reached early and our flight to Delhi was around 2:30pm so we went shopping.
A Souvenir shop named Sagarika Emporium is famous, we shopped and then went to brewberry cafe opposite to Airport. Spent a little time eating and remembering everything we saw in Andamans.
Things to do:-
1. First and Foremost do check out Andamans official website for updates on ferry and other important advisory.(www. andamans.gov.in)
2. On reaching Port blair visit tourism office on priority for tickets and booking to various islands like Ross and North Bay islands
3. Some of the places like Mayabunder/ diglipur/ Barren island were closed due to corona. Do check out at Tourism office for permissions.
4. Rapid test slip is important to carry at hotel and furthur ferry also Keep photocopies of your Aadhar and Test slips also.
5. We faced a lot of issue in catching ferry. Do inquire a day before to book tickets in advance. If you have booked with travel sites then agent will be responsible but otherwise keep updates on this.
6. Before staying at expensive resorts check Dolphin resort first. Affordable and beautiful.
7.Do check out Sea princess resort at Wandoor beach.
8. Only 5 kg per passenger is allowed in helicopter ride. Rs 150/kg is charged afterwards
Contact info
1. Vicky-8900920068 (For any arrangements in Havelock.)
2. Sudevan Autowala- 9933266021 (Port blair)
3. Bikul Guide- 8327007719 (Elephant beach)
4. Iceland divers- Scuba and kayaking