Indian archipelago in the Bay of Bengal

17th March 2017: It’s the 11th day of the marvelous trip and we are returning to the hustle and bustle of our beloved city Kolkata. The best part of today is the fact that we are ready to swipe our access cards just after keeping our feet outside the airport. The not-so-worst part is that we will miss the enormous beauty of the sea, rhythmic percussion of the waves, towers of radiant and soul warming light of the sun trying to sprinkle the last of its amber limbs and the soft golden sand beach.

Andaman has overpowered all my senses and treasured a lifetime reminiscence of a tale embarking journey.

This trip was planned way back in June or July of 2016. It was a 10-nights and 11 days’ trip with the last day was kept only for the transition. We had a plan, but as it is said ‘Man proposes and God (read situation and people) disposes’. Still, here is the plan:

Day #1 at Andaman: 07 March 2017

We started on 7th early morning as our flight was at 5:40 AM IST from CCU. We reached at Veer Savarkar International Airport in between 7:50 AM-8:00 AM IST. It took about 20 minutes to get our luggage and then locate our travel partner. We reached at the hotel in 5 minutes. Here, I want to mention one thing. If you are only concerned for the trip and not so bothered about the comfort then you can trust the travel collaborator we chose for us. It is ‘Continental Travels’ with their hotel named ‘Hotel Port Sheraton’ near Aberdeen Bazar. But be warned that they will revert each word said about the facilities they earlier had promised to provide. I can vividly remember the power cuts the hotel had; twice a hot and humid day.

On the very first afternoon, we went to see the first beach in Andaman: Corbyn’s Cove beach. With the long breaking waves and lush green coconut palms, this beach is a busy one in the Andaman Islands. You can rest on a beach chair with a tender coconut in hand to enjoy the relaxing sun set with your family. Else, you can thrash the wallowing sea waves, climb the small hills around, be a child one more time and collect the seashells on the seashore.

There are a few local shops which sell local handcrafts made from seashells. There are scopes to enjoy rides and do activities too.

On the same day, we were taken to the Cellular jail, Port Blaire for the light and sound show. It started at 6 o’clock in the evening. This show makes you familiar with the history of the jail and Andaman Islands with respect to the freedom fighting of our people, the struggle they had gone through for their patriotism and the cruel and mean ways of punishments imposed upon them by the British. This event is so meticulously choreographed that it left a heart wrenching effect.

Cellular jail, Port Blaire

To be continued ……