I lost my heart in Andamans...

Tripoto
24th Jan 2016

Kalapathar site

Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

Cellular Jail

Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

Model of the jail

Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

view from the centre tower

Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

North bay Island

Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

Ross Island

Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

Remnants in Ross

Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

Way to Jolly Buoy

Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

Its raining...

Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

Snorkelling

Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

Jolly Buoy

Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

Way to Little Andaman

Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

Amidst the nature

Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

White Surf Waterfall

Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

view from munda pahar

Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

sunset at chidiya tapu

Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

radhanagar beach

Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

my hubby on the way to elephanta beach

Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

elephanta beach

Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

sitapur beach

Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

natural coral bridge

Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

bharatpur beach

Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

after the sunset

Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

laxmanpur beach

Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

At Ross

Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of I lost my heart in Andamans... by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

I have been thinking how to start writing my travel experience for the first time...lot of things on mind.. But anyhow i had to write this coz being a beach bum, andaman was an amazing trip for me...an experience to share and inspire many more of us to just choose andamans over any other destination. It started as i was just checking out the flight fares randomly and I found cheap rates for port blair that too direct flight from bhubaneswar...n i booked the tickets having no idea about Andamans...And then i started searching about the place on internet and reading travel blogs to get an overall idea. Tripoto was a great help. And then having no plans..no pre bookings we started.. my husband and me.

The start was bad because we had a morning flight and it was delayed to 4-5 hours and a half day got wasted from my 10 days. The beautiful top view of the place made my mood. And It was love at first sight :) which grew more n more...

Sharing some tips:

1. We travelled everywhere by the goverenment ferry. They were good, takes half an hour more to reach and half of the price of private ones. You can always book your ferry tickets from the booking office. I booked our tickets there. The gents queue is a long one but if you are travelling with a female companion thats an advantage. It will be quick. Half of the queue has local people booking tickets for tourists. If you ask some one there they will always be ready to help with booking your tickets, they will tell you there's heavy rush, no tickets and you should book in advance and have to pay more. For Private ships you may have to book in advance. So its upto you.

2. Its the safest place to travel. You can travel solo. No one will take away your belongings even if you leave them. also no beggars there.

3. You will find bikes, scooters and bicycles on rent. Carry Driving Licence with you. Thats what we prefered.

4. Many ATM are there in Port Blair but for other islands its better you carry cash.

5. Remember there are many resorts and hotels that you may not find on internet but can be a good option to stay and negotiable too.

6. Sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, slippers, mosquito repellent, torch must carry. Better not to have any jewellery.

7. Explore the underwater else you will miss a great experience.

Hope my travel story will help you have a great trip filled with memories and hope you will fall in love like i did...

So what are you waiting for just go with the flow and have fun...that's all :)

Port blair has the most famous Cellular jail for which the place was known as Kaala Pani. its a must visit though you can skip the much hyped light and sound show, i have seen way more better shows. then there is Carbyn's Cove Beach, Water Sports complex, Anthropological Museum, Samudrika(Naval Marine Museum). Port Blair was a stop over place for us because its the place from where you can travel everywhere...in and out. From water sports complex you will get the speed boats for North bay and Ross Islands. North bay is basically for water activities...but we just strolled there and went up to the light house for a view. Ross Island served as the british headquarter and now it has ruins of it... its worth visiting, the history. There are deers, peacock and rabbits moving around. one can walk through the island or move in battery cars. The remnants of the buildings are covered with roots of tress very beautifully. This place was interesting, I felt walking through a different era.There is a light and sound show here but we missed that as we had no idea.

Photo of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

Jolly Buoy Island is a part of Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. The park is in Wandoor situated at a distance of nearly 30 kms from Port Blair. From there you will travel by a ferry, and then through a boat to the island. I recommend each one to visit here because of the amazing, colourful live corals and fish. You have to take permits and tickets either from the tourist office or you can just come over to wandoor and book your tickets from the counter. but my advice is to do it in advance as only a fixed number of tourist are allowed to enter. Carry extra clothes for the water activities like snorkelling, glass bottom boat rides. This place has the best underwater life in whole of andaman. Island has changing rooms and toilets but nothing more. This is a plastic free zone and very clean. Its worth mentioning an old man who was cleaning the place who helped us to take some pics and it was good. We had no spare clothes still we went for the water activities, enjoyed to the fullest and came back soaked. While returning we prefered the local bus and am glad we did that.

Photo of JOLLY BUOY, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of JOLLY BUOY, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of JOLLY BUOY, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of JOLLY BUOY, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

We had a overnight ship from Port blair to Little Andaman. Its at a distance of 120km. Only Government ferries available. It generally takes around 9 hrs to reach but due to heavy rain it reached after long 12hrs. As we had no idea about the ferries and ticket, a local auto wala booked M.V.Dering ship for us taking three times extra money and saying there's so much rush for ticket...that was all a lie. It was a bad bad experience. We never wanted a luxurious ride or facilities but the ship was dirty, very slow and there was only seats no berths for a overnight ship and on top of that it was raining not being a rainy season. The Ship had few tourists and more Islanders. The journey was pathetic and tiring...Till the time ship reached there we were so frustrated that may be we took a wrong decision of coming to Little Andaman and we were already thinking of how to get back like escape from here. And we got out of ship all drenched but thank god we had a taxi waiting from our hotel. This place is calm and quiet, offbeat with basic facilities. You can hire bike for rent. We went for the White surf waterfalls through a forest and it was worth it. We were the only tourists anywhere we went through the island. We wanted to go for the other water fall called Whisper Wave but many of the locals warned us not to go there as its way is through a long forest range and will be full of leeches because of rain. We dropped the idea. Then we went to the Kalapathar site and it was breathtaking. With the help of locals we went through it to the other side. The splash of sea water, it was hitting the rock. As we were enjoying the beauty of the place it started raining again and we went back to our stay. Half of the day was still left but we had no option than staying inside our rooms and do nothing. The place we stayed too had no other guests so we were bored to hell. Though we loved the untouched beauty of the place but we wanted out return tickets asap. As there are few tourists the resort people want you to stay that's why they sometimes give you wrong info about the return ferries. There are seaplane and heli services also but we didnt knew abut that. Next day morning we went to the butler bay beach on the other side of the road just few meters away. It was scenic. Then again we went to the Kala Pathar as we liked it soo much and didnt had much of it. Its no less than any foreign location. I decided to come back some day for picturising a song or a scene when i make a movie. This place made me forget all the bad experience i had to travel here. I have no words to express...for me its the best place i have been in andaman. We tried going towards the light house but after several tries we took a U turn because it was a long way through the forest, the road was very bad because of rain and at last it was going to rain and if that happens we will be stuck there. It was a wise decision. We got to know about the night ferry M.V.Sentinel from a localite and decided to leave. Though if we would have listened to the resort people we would have to stay there for another day. This was a nice ship way better than the previous one.

Photo of Little Andaman, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of Little Andaman, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of Little Andaman, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of Little Andaman, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of Little Andaman, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of Little Andaman, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of Little Andaman, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

Also called as Sunset point (because of the spectacular sunset) is 25 kms away from Port Blair. The ride to chidiya tapu offers you some beautiful views to stop on the way. Its a small beach and it closes after 5:30pm. I would recommend all to climb up the munda pahar right there at the beach to have a amazing view and not just spend the whole time at beach. Do that and you will thank me.

Photo of Chidiya Tapu, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of Chidiya Tapu, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of Chidiya Tapu, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

Its the most popular spot among the tourist. No doubt its beautiful, full of tourists, lively, variety of staying options and restaurants, full of life... We reached there in evening ans sad we had only a day for havelock so we hired a Scooter and early in the morning went to Kalapathar beach...it was serene.. then went up to the most hyped Radhanagar beach and it lived upto the hype being the cleanest and best. The sand is white and soft. On the way there was the forest camp from which one can walk to the Elephanta beach through a forest. You can also reach there by a ferry from havelock jetty but we liked the first option. On the way i noticed huge foot marks of elephants.. they come there to bathe but had no chance to see one..thats why may be it go its name.. 'Elephanta beach'. 'Swimming with Elephant' was available before but now its no longer done.

Photo of Havelock Island, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of Havelock Island, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of Havelock Island, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of Havelock Island, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of Havelock Island, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)

It is a tiny but beautiful island. One can easily stroll through the whole island. Its a simple village not much crowded with tourists like Havelock. The beaches are named after Ramayana characters as Laxmanpur beach, Bharatpur beach, Sitanagar beach, and Ramnagar beach. early morning we started for sitapur beach for sunrise. Bharatpur beach is ideal for swimming and all kinds of water activities. there are many shops selling sea items and fancy items made out of it. Went to see the spectacular sunset at laxmanpur beach. Then there is Natural Coral Bridge..amazing.. You have to walk a little to get there. I found some tiny colourful fishes and starfish within the coral formations...it was all so beautiful.

Photo of Neil Island, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of Neil Island, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of Neil Island, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of Neil Island, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of Neil Island, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)
Photo of Neil Island, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Falgu Satapathy (@neitheratravellernoratourist)