Andaman (Paradise) islands ( mindblowing beaches, scuba diving, mud volcano, Jarwa tribe)

Tripoto
17th Mar 2017
Photo of Andaman (Paradise) islands ( mindblowing beaches, scuba diving, mud volcano, Jarwa tribe) by Traveltemptationss
Day 1

Who thought that these tiny islands of Andaman Nicobar would be this mesmerising.  These islands are pure magical and secretive. Alot has been written about the beauty of these islands so I will just skip that. Thanks to Andaman trunk road got a glimpse of Jarwa tribesmen. It will amaze you how these Palaeolithic tribes survive  today.  If you are lucky you can see many of them standing  on the road with spears and bows and arrows, sometimes asking for food or just staring blankly at you.  I was shocked at how these people have no idea of internet, technology  and anything for that matter.

We took a flight from Delhi to Kolkata to Andaman. The capital  Port Blair with its simplicity will travel you back in time. It was a great change from Delhi. The food is influenced by south indian and Kolkata's cuisines, which i found delicious. Loads of places to visit in this tiny captial like cellular jail ( do go for the light and sound show) , anthropological museum ( its great) , fisheries museum , Corbyn cove etc. Spent 2 days there. You can go for scuba diving , snorkeling but I suggest you do it in Havelock island as the water is much clear there.

Day 3- Via makruzz ( cruise's name) went to Neil island. This is the only way to travel there. The cruise has an excellent service. The water is crystal clear and clean which will enchant you. Its a quite tiny island and has a very small local market. But has a coral reef bridge which will amaze you. (See pics)

DAY 4 - Via makruzz went to Havelock island. This island is very popular owing to its Radhanagar beach. This beach is like no other. It is one of the ten beautiful beaches in Asia. I got to see different shades of blue. (See pics) I will have to say (and not exaggerating) i was in paradise. If you are looking to spend some alone time , this is the place. Do stay for the sunset, it simply pretty

Day 5 - went back to Port Blair and from there to Ross island. Its only 10 mins by boat. Boat gives you 2-3 hours to explore and then takes you back. You can see the island from Port Blair itself. Though completely in ruins ( because of tsunami and negligence) , it has some British era structures like a  church, British bakery etc. You can see deers and peacocks roaming freely and will come near you too if you have food.  Try to take the evening ferry so you can watch the light and sound show which tells you the history of these islands.

Day 6- went to Bartang island via Andaman trunk road (ATR). Bartang island is famous for mud volcanoes which formed when tsunami  hit these islands few years back. You will have to take a ferry from where ATR ends ( its just 5 mins ride),  though its time bound. When in Bartang island  you will see many taxi's  which will take you to mud volcano site. The price  they ask is 500₹ for 5 mins drive, so its better if you share a taxi with someone or  you can walk too if you are adventurous kind. In Bartang  islands there are many other ferry rides like mangrove ride, limestone caves ride, speed boat etc. I couldn't take those because of less time.

So coming back to where i was, i was excited for all this but more excited for the journey.  As ATR passes through forest which is reserved for Jarwa tribe. If you are lucky you will get a glimpse of them, just keep a keen eye. You will be under surveillance at both entry and exit points,  loads of policemen, warnings to tourists, your identity  proof will be required  but it is worth it. Photography  is prohibited so no photos of that.

Finally my trip was great and i would love to visit again. Though these islands are mysterious owning to its tribes like jarawas, shompens. But the locals are very simple, helpful folks. Also, cellular jail invokes a sense of pain among every Indian. Do watch the light and sound show in the evening. It will take you back in times of Indian independence.

Havelock island

Photo of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Traveltemptationss

View from the plane will awestruck you

Photo of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Traveltemptationss

One of Asia's best beach -radha Nagar beach

Photo of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Traveltemptationss

Crystal clear water

Photo of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Traveltemptationss
Photo of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Traveltemptationss
Photo of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Traveltemptationss

Shells with shapes you have never seen before

Photo of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Traveltemptationss

If you have a keen eye you 'll spot them on the shore

Photo of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Traveltemptationss

Neil coral island

Photo of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Traveltemptationss
Photo of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Traveltemptationss

Me

Photo of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Traveltemptationss

View from a park -port blair

Photo of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Traveltemptationss

Coral bridge

Photo of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Traveltemptationss
Photo of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Traveltemptationss

Numerous shells

Photo of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Traveltemptationss

Neil island

Photo of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Traveltemptationss

Radhanagar beach

Photo of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Traveltemptationss

Cellular jail

Photo of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Traveltemptationss