Amazing and Breathtaking… My Trip to Andamans

Andaman features among the best holiday destinations in India, and if you search for couple holidays and honeymoon paradise, it more or less leads the list. I was to discover why when I finally got to witness the magic of the place. It had been on our minds for quite sometime and taking a vacation after a long time, we decided to check this off our list. It was a packaged tour which covered more or less all the places worth visiting. Well, I know there are all the good travel websites out there which would give a list of all the places to visit in Andaman… but here I am sharing my personal favourites among all the experiences. The mention of some of these places you will find in every must visit Andaman guide while some are those which me and my husband just stumbled upon by chance.

Cellular Jail at Port Blair

Who would have guessed that the once dreaded “kala paani” would become an exotic destination for couples and families not only in India but also abroad. I guess, the entire Port Blair city speaks ounces of the country’s freedom struggle but it is the Cellular Jail which has a totally different feel to it.

Each of its bricks, a reminder of the cruelty that man is capable of on one side and the selfless patriotism on the other. The Light & Sound Show at the jail will take you back in those times when our own freedom fighters were treated in the worst possible way, fed rotten food, made to work in oil mills in such a tough manner that it would drive them crazy and subjected to all sorts of unspeakable torture that would break their spirit. The experience of visiting this place leaves one with a mixed feeling of pride and pain. The stories that these walls have to say are ones never to be forgotten.

Snorkeling

Any trip to Andamans is not worth if you miss out on seeing the lovely aquatic life and the ocean rich in corals. And what easier way than snorkeling.
It can be done on any of the beaches which offer water sports. We did it at the Elephant Beach in Havelock. It was perfectly safe and easy for non-swimmers like me. And the view which I saw was mesmerizing and breathtaking.

Sunset at Laxmanpur Beach, Neil Island

Neil Islands were the high point of my trip as far as enjoying the beauty is concerned. It has a relaxing aura to it. The sea at Bharatpur Beach is as tempting as a hot water bath. The blue waters make the most spectacular scene at the Laxmanpur Beach here where it forms a kind of triangle. You can literally observe the waves created by water flowing in two different directions. This combined with the sunset makes the beach a must visit.

“Something Different Cafe” at Havelock

Well, everything was different in Havelock, but this place here “Something Different” is a beach side restaurant I am talking about. Me and my husband stumbled accidently upon this place coz the foodies that we are, we were hunting for a good if not great food joint. And here it was, when you take a turn from the road to the dark pathway that leads to this place (ya, coz you see the islanders struggle with basic needs of daily life including their power supply so you might find the path way quite dark), you know you have found just the place. And no they haven’t paid me anything to advertise for them. :-p But ya itz just my recommendation that this place is worth a try for everyone who visits Havelock. Awesome food, and really great ambience and staff.

Marina Park, Port Blair

Another of those places which your tour manager might not tell you about. The park really made me envy the local people of Port Blair who may or may not find time from their daily schedules to visit Havelock or the nearby islands on a regular basis, but can definitely walk into this place with a lovely sea view and enjoy some fresh air. Even if you forget the sea, the park has other attractions like a cute Children’s Traffic Park. It replicates real life traffic signals and signs and I found it an amazing concept for kids to learn about road safety. The place also has memorials for our war heroes. And guess what, all this free of cost. Moreover, the park as well as the entire city gets 10 on 10 for cleanliness.

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