Waiting for second half of the year.
So many friends of mine would be traveling to Andaman Islands.
Bunch of guys, bunch of couples & families too. What a happiness when they will share their pictures and experiences with me :)
Like I said in previous blog, I had book my tickets to Andaman from Bangalore via Chennai way 6 months back during Air India flight ticket sale & then I told others to join me if they wish to.
Don't wait for someone to book your travel tickets. If not, travel solo & make a difference ;)
Andaman Islands is the perfect location for a serene backpack holidays with flat stretches of beaches, tropical jungles, marine life and adventurous water sports.
And mainly I would like to call it “No man's place” with almost less or no population on some of it's Island.
Airport
I landed early morning to Port Blair Airport. And I headed straight to Pheonix Bay Jetty to buy my ship tickets for next day travel from Port Blair to Havelock Island.
Jetty is just 4 km away from the airport. As soon as you come out of airport, you will have all the auto wala's and private car wala's wooing you to get in their vehicle.
I bargained enough and paid Rs 30 to reach to the Jetty.
Andaman is damn cheap guys. Tourist is solely their main income so they will agree with you with what ever price you bargain with.
Tip: When you are waiting for your luggage to come at the belt, don't waste your time. Look for the tourist kiosk which is inside the airport and collect all the maps, brochures & information on Andamans.
Tip: While you return to airport, you are not allowed to carry sea shells, corals, or anything that you have picked up from the beaches in order to save marine life species.
If you buy any item made out of shells; they will ask you to show invoice. So please save up all the bills that you have. Don't throw away!
Inter Island Ship Tickets: Port Blair to Havelock Island or Neil Island
As soon as you reach Port Blair, first thing is to buy Inter Island tickets for next day/next travel.
There are less chances to get the tickets on the same day. Until and unless you opt to go for private ferries which will cost more than double the price. Around 1100 per person. As I was on budget traveling, I chose not to go for private ferries but to go for normal one.
3 ferries travel to these Island everyday. 09:00 am, 11:10 am & one at 1:00 pm.
The phoenix bay jetty counters opens at 09:00 am only. I stood for 2 hours and I got tickets for next day 11:10 am jetty. I was jumping in excitement.
Waited for 3 others to join me and share my excitement. The ticket cost from Port Blair Pheonix Jetty to Havelock Island which is 65 km is Rs 378 for normal sitting and Rs 525 for private cabin. I got for private cabin as normal sitting chairs were full. The journey took 3 and half hours.
Note: There are different counters for foreigners, ladies & gents. And they will ask you to fill up the form in which you will have to mention traveler's details. Name, Age, Gender & Address.
If you plan to stay more in Port Blair, then you can buy Inter Island ship tickets at your own pace, as you have enough time.
Where to Stay in Port Blair?
As soon as I got the Havelock tickets in my hand, I knew I was like a free bird to explore Port Blair now.
I started walking back towards central market with my backpack as I really wanted to explore and didn't opt for any auto or lift.While walking, I met German guy & two Italian girls. We exchanged few conversation and agreed that we will be in touch.
I wasn't hungry much as Air India staff had feeded me well in my early morning flight from Chennai. Now it was time for me to look for my stay & put my backpack in place so I can start exploring.
Port Blair have options like home stays and inexpensive hotels & guesthouses.
Couch surfing is not yet so active as it's very small place.
I started walking and came across many hotels. After full research and bargaining with hoteliers I choose Hotel Jaimathi In Blair which is just opposite Port Blair Bus Stand.
Contacts: 03192 - 236124/ 03192 232966 (No prior booking required; face to face bargaining is the best)
Why did I select this particular one:
1) Very near to Jetty, so I can catch my next day ship to Havelock on time.
2) It was in middle of the market with full crowd. It's more safer
3) Walkable distance to Cellular Jail, Marine Life Museum & Beach
4) It was cheaper than all. Basic room along with one bathroom & air condition
They were nice enough to give us clean white bed sheets, pillows etc.
It costed us Rs 1400 per night. Rs 350 per head.
Places to visit in Port Blair
Port Blair is very small. You start strolling and you will reach it's end in few minutes. I found everything as walkable distance.
Must places:
→ Cellular Jail built in 1906 by British. The jail is open throughout day but the beauty of the jail is in it's light and sound show. Was truly amazed by it's history.
The timings for the Light and Sound show -
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm (Hindi)
6:45 pm – 7:45 pm (English)
Entry tickets can be issued upto 04:00 Pm.
Entry fee: Rs 20.
Closed on Mondays & Public Holidays
→ Ross Island: Ross Island is just opposite to Port Blair. It's tiniest one standing as guard to Port Blair harbor. This Island has old houses and buildings of Britisher's time. The structures look like shabby, almost broken down.
The boat services are available only during day time from Phoenix Bay Jetty.
Timings are 08:30 Am, 10:30 Am, 12:30 Pm.
Entry fee to this Island is Rs 20.
→ Stroll over to Anthropological Museum,Samudrika Mueseum, Water Sports Complex if you wish to.
Where to eat in Port Blair?
Both vegetarian & non vegetarian food options are available in the capital city of Andaman.
But I love this sardar da dhaba which was on rooftop, facing sea. The food was so amazing and inexpensive. Alcohol available at normal rates. Found out while strolling.
Forgot the name of his restaurant but its 100 meters before Cellular Jail on left rooftop.
Journey from Port Blair to Havelock
I boarded my ship. Wuhuuuu!
If you really want to enjoy your ocean journey, please do not be lazy and sit back in your seats or cabins.
Walk upstairs on deck. You can stand, sit, sleep do whatever you want. This was the deepest moment of self introspection for me. So peaceful. Middle of ocean. Somewhere far far away from everyone and everything. Felt like another world literally.
There is limited network on phones or I would say no network on phones. And so some of you couldn't reach at my phone on my b'day hahahaha!!
Network which works is BSNL and might work is Airtel.
Take portable speaker if you want to pump up your self with party mood on deck of the ship. It's allowed. However ship is going to play some old Bollywood songs for you ;) ;)
3 and half hour journey is not going to be boring.
Wait up! Best part was to smile and say hello to Captain of the Ship and he allowed us to go on main front deck and he allowed us to see the ship cabin. Wuhuuuuu!!
I did coz Navy always fascinated me. I had lot of questions for them.
Tip: So don't forget to strike a conversation to all the ship captains that you meet :)
You will be amused to see flying fish jumping here and there. If lucky, some helicopters hovering just above you and saying hello to you.
Tip: Don't forget to carry Glasses, Cap, stole or scarfs if you traveling in summers on deck.
Havelock Island
As soon as I landed Havelock, I saw port office and wanted to ensure that I can get ticket for my next travel to Neil Island from Havelock in next 2 days. And it was done.
Havelock to Neil Island is 21 km – 1 hour journey.
Ticket is Rs 350 for normal sitting
Usually two ferries 11:00 Am and 2:00 Pm. On Sunday's they have one at 09:00 Am.
Now I was excited to explore Havelock Island.
Searched many shacks and bargained everywhere. The best I could afford was below shown two floor huts for Rs 500 per person. Ground floor had concrete bathroom & rooftop was bamboo room with mattresses. Very clean and tidy.
It was Hotel Sunrise Beach Resort just 5 km from where my ship had de boarded all the passengers. It's on Vijanagar Beach no 5. Auto took 50 bucks
The blue painted huts which I wanted were packed with foreigners. It costs Rs 400 per hut.
I chose this place just looking at the beach which was just 5 meters away. Wow!!
Got geared up now. It was my Birthday!!!
Got ready, walked near by places, explored, relaxed, dranked, relaxed, read, relaxed, played, starred at ocean, hours & hours. Made some friends.
One of them said why don't you join to Cicada after 07:00 PM. There's going to be a nice music and lot of good sea food and barbeque. I said why not. It was celebration time.
I was dressed up in gown and tiara on my head. So happy I was. Far away from everything and everywhere. I was with super nice people.
Cicada is "ONLY" restaurant in middle of jungle on Havelock Island with "music evenings" happening everyday.
The foreigners who are staying there for months and months has started this music thingy at night. By evening, everyone gathers at one place. Meets everyone. Exchange Conversations. Plays instruments. It was just 3 Kms from my place Hotel Sunrise Beach Resort.
Wow what food they have. Drooled over. Dance. Exchange. Meet People.Dance.
And yeah there they announced it's her birthday too.
And it was jingles all around. Happy Birthdayyyyyyy... La laa laa!!
Headed back little late. The best thing was coming by now.
There's no better sound to hear than the ocean once at late night. Darkness everywhere. Ocean sleeping right in front of me. Sky with millions of stars. It was time to lit the Chinese lantern.
As soon as lantern was in the air, the ocean was shimmering with light.
Just wow! What I saw, What I felt was speechless.
Tip: Experience the excitement by doing something new :)
Ocean, Darkness, Sky full of Stars, Open Air, Laid Down, Sand, Water, Smile on face &
One satisfied soul.
Scuba Diving
Finally day arrived. Gold India Diving was the place which my hotel owner had suggested me. The general rate for Scuba Diving that you will hear everywhere on Island is Rs 4000 per person. This rate was nothing new to me. I knew I need to bargain everywhere. He made various phone calls. And I headed to Gold India Diving which was again 4 km near by.
I met this chap who must be in 20's named Xavier. And I went wowed seeing all Decathlon's Scuba Diving products everywhere lying there. I was jumping and informed him I work for this company. Ahahhhh!! And now the price was Rs 2000 per person after bargain bargain!! Everything is possible :)
After Scuba Diving, I felt they really have nice trained certified divers which took utmost care of me as I was 0.0111 % scared may be, coz I do not know how to swim hahahah!!
Re sharing my scuba diving experience
First Scuba Diving 7 meters deep; 1 hour inside this beautiful world. The main reason to go Andamans Sank into the sea. When I came up; almost wanted to cry. Coz what I saw was Incredible. Was little bit scared. But my excitement to go inside the sea was more than my scariness #passionate #thrilled
Deep water; Star fish; Jelly fish; Corals; sign language; plants; Oxygen Cylinder; heavy gears; equipments; heavy weights; training; This experience rejuvenated my inner self again for sure.There is nothing like breathing underwater. #NoWordsToExpress. Best part was to learn the sign language during my training session. Felt like filmy Zindagi na milege dobara scene. Hahahahaha.
Things to do on Havelock Island:
Read, relax, stare, sleep & lazy around at Radhanagar Beach,
Get lost in deep jungles of Elephant Beach,
Take a ride to Kala Pathar & have best raw mango salad.
Pamper yourself at Cicada Jungle Restro. Have best sea food and strike a conversation. Make new friends.
Scuba Diving. Climax of the story.
Snorkeling. Add on.
Courses on Scuba Diving. Future thoughts.
Personal Transportation on Havelock Island:
As soon as you have place to stay, next thing is to have 2 wheeler.
Like shacks & huts at stretches, you will see 2 wheeler on RENT everywhere.
Got scooty for Rs 350
05:00 Pm to next day 05:00 pm
Rs 1000 deposit which is full refundable.
Other days passed by exploring, reading, sleeping, starring, meeting new people :)
Neil Island:
Boarded 01 Pm ship to Neil Island from Havelock. Around 21 km – 1 hour Journey.
I packed myself in stole and went on deck. Found nice corner and slept off on deck. Music as background score. Passengers staring at never ending ocean. And some peaceful time.
As we arrived on Neil Island, first thing I noticed was port office again.
I looked for return ticket to Port Blair from Neil Island for coming days and ensure the availability as to catch the return flight. It was done!!
Neil Island is way way smaller than Havelock Island. Very Isolated Island with almost
no population once you get inside the Island.
I had read about Pearl Park Beach Resort which have expensive huts, cottages, air conditioned rooms as well as at the same time have huts of Rs 300. And definitely this was my place to stay ;)
The resort is on at the end of LaxmanPur Beach. It's 3 km from where my ship de-boarded all the passengers. Auto took Rs 50 for 4 of us.
As per the map shown above, this Island has only 3 main points -
Laxmanpur beach – Where I stayed in 300 bucks Pearl Park Resort
Sitapur Beach – On other end. Read the total Kilometer :D (So Small Island)
Bharatpur Beach – Where I actually I got down called as Neil Island Jetty. That area has all the water sports adventure. Snorkeling, Jet Skii, Glass Boat, etc...
Natural Formation Bridge as on ad on place to visit.
Neil Island is the place for bit of relaxation. Cycling through picturesque villages is the best way to explore.
Rent cycle for Rs 100 from morning till evening. Rs 1000 as deposit which is full refundable.
Important Tip: This Island do not have ANY ATM. Please do not forget to carry cash when you come from Port Blair or Havelock Island.
Said bye to Andmans & promised to return back to finish backpack trip to Baratang which is only known example of mud volcanoes in India. Also to Strait Island to see tribals of Andamans.
They are called as Jarawas. Indigenous group of peoples of South Asia. Uncontacted people. Scheduled tribes. In 2001, tribes reported on this Island were 42. Hahahah that's so interesting.
Isn't that amazing thing to discover?
Earlier tourists were banned from passing through their area. But what my parents have recently experienced on their backpack trip to Andaman is that passengers are being allowed to travel in LARGE CONVOYS to travel all together four times a day.
Isn't that exciting? Spooky little bit? ;)
That's it. Gracias for now.
Go explore unexplored places.
Share your pictures and your stories with me. Travel Solo.
Hope my blog inspired you a bit ;)
Share & inspire others :) :) :) :)