ANDAMAN ISLANDS

Stretching along the southern expanse of the Bay of Bengal, the emerald archipelago of Andaman and Nicobar Islands appear like a string of pearls amidst an azure environment. This isolated chain of 570 undulating islands of more than 8,249 sq kms enjoy a tropical humid climate with intermittent showers and is home to three of the oldest tribes of Homo-sapiens in the world – Jarwa, Sentinel and Onge. Existing in isolation, their dwindling population still eke out of primitive living in the densely forested islands of exotic birds and indigenous flora. Out of the 2000 variety of plants found in these islands, 221 are not found anywhere else on earth.

Andaman is an ideal destination for those who are inclined to take a bit of sun and wind and enjoy a laid-back holiday amidst the silver-sandy beaches and creeks spread over the meandering coastline, offering an excellent variety of water sports. Port Blair is the capital of this union territory and has a bleak historic past as a penal colony during the British Raj and Indian independence movement. It is also the jump off point for travelling to all other parts of this splendid archipelago.

The main places of tourist attraction in Port Blair include Cellular Jail National Memorial, Gymkhana Ground, Samudrika Marine Museum, the Aquarium, Anthropological Museum, Forest Museum, Chatham Sawmill and Water Sports Complex. The Corbin’s Cove beach (7kms south), Sippighat Farm (15kms south-west), Wandoor Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (29kms south-west) and Chidiatapu (30kms south) around is accessed by road. Short island tours around the city include Mount Harriet, Viper Island, Ross Island, Jolly Buoy Island and Little Andaman. Excursions should be made to some exotic islands like Neil, Havelock and Cinque Islands, Rangat and Mayabunder in Middle Andaman and Diglipur in North Andaman with minimum two nights of stay amidst the raw virginity and unspoilt natural beauty in each of these places.

In 1879, British General Cadel laid the foundation stone of the Cellular Jail and then, step by step, the construction got completed in 1910. It was an imposing structure of seven three tiered wings radiating from a central tower housing 756 cells. Out of these, four of the wings got devastated by the earthquake of 1941 followed by Japanese bombing during the Second World War. In 1979, the remaining structure was declared a National Memorial. A light and sound show in the evening depicts the brutal and hellish history of the jail.

In 1943, the firebrand Indian freedom fighter, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, hoisted the first national flag of the country in the Gymkhana Ground, well before the country became independent in 1947.

The Samudrika Marine Museum, run by the Indian Navy, displays the geographical and oceanological attributes of the archipelago.

The Aquarium or Fisheries Museum, as it was earlier called, throws an unique display of the aquatic fauna of the region.

The Anthropological Museum displays in photographs and with models, the life of the indigenous natives of the archipelago.

The oldest and biggest saw mill of Asia, The Chatham Saw Mill, is in Port Blair, which started operation way back in 1936 when the British ruled the country. It is only 2kms from the Forest Museum which has an interesting display of the floral assets of the archipelago.

At the Water Sports Complex, one can enjoy boating, sailing, water skiing, wind surfing and snorkelling.

Corbin’s Cove is the nearest sea beach of Port Blair and is situated 7kms south of the city. Fringed by colonnades of coconut and palm trees, this is a quiet silvery beach. The nearby Black Island and Snake Island can be visited from here on fishing boats.

Spread over 80 acres, the extensive research farming of various flowers, fruits and spices at the Sippighat Farm is a must see for all visitors to the archipelago.

29kms south-east of Port Blair, lies the calm and quiet sea beach of Wandoor. One should take a boat ride to traverse the adjoining Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, extending 280sq kms into the sea, encompassing 15 small islands.

A silver shiny beach, emerald mangrove, azure sky and shallow greenish-blue waters of a creek make Chidiatapu, 30kms south of Port Blair, a unique destination.

Exciting short island tours around Port Blair to Mount Harriet, Viper Island, Ross Island, Cinque Island, Jolly Buoy Island, Red Skin Island and Little Andaman should be undertaken from Phoenix Bay jetty and Wandoor. They are organized by the Andaman Tourism Board and the Marine Department.

The Neil, Havelock and Long Islands, 40kms, 55kms and 85kms north-east respectively from Port Blair, makes excellent excursions amidst coconut fringed silver sandy beaches, azure sky and greenish-blue waters. The coral reefs and the shallow waters around these islands make them excellent destinations for snorkelling and wind surfing or spending a laid-back holiday.

Rangat and Mayabandar in Middle Andaman and Dighlipur in North Andaman are equally pristine and unblemished natural resorts to spend a few days in the lap of nature, far away from the maddening crowd.

Accessibility: Port Blair, the capital of the union territory, is well connected by air and ship from Kolkata and Chennai.

Accommodation: Hotels, Resorts, Tourist Lodges and Forest Rest Houses provide all sorts of accommodations at various places of this union territory.

Season: October to June.