PrismAroundGurjeet

Recently My wish for a dream vacation come a reality and that all because of my daughter.  We went all together (the family trip) after 5 long years. We have planned for the most beautiful place which is surrounded by dense forests, azure waters, and sandy beaches. My daughter always complains that every year her friends go to different places for vacation but she never. She loves sea jewels and wish to collect seashell on beaches, so we decided to land on the archipelago of Andamans Islands and found it an ideal holiday destination.

The reason to choice Andaman and Nicobar is because these islands are gifted with sandy beaches, clear seawater, and beautiful live coral reefs.  And beyond that we were able to inhale unpolluted fresh air, away from most polluted state -Delhi.

Andaman and Nicobar is a hidden jewel, hidden island, species, the mysterious and endangered Paleolithic tribes of the Andaman's.

We have booked a package for Andaman and Nicobar - covered three most talked about Islands which I gonna tell you all about. 

Airfare depends on your choice of seat,flight.

Believe me, it's better to book package (without airfare) from the local tour operator because they got better price deals for everything than direct online booking. Our package includes three islands transportations (sea and road), hotel and resorts stays with breakfast, city tour and beaches entries and that 14000/- per person and kids below 5 years and complimentary and the charges I paid for my 8 years old daughter is just half price that is 6000-7000/ believe me, it is the best price with best hotel I must say.

Considering the humidity and coastal weather, it is always recommended to opt for a Air-conditioned room in all hotels.

Nearest Airport: Veer Savarkar International Airport (Port Blair Airport)

Best Time to Visit Andaman And Nicobar Islands: November- March.

• Languages: Hindi, English,Tamil
• Weather- remain uncertain so better to keep umbrella for rain.

We have taken flight from Delhi to Kolkata and then Port Blair , kids cant travel for long duration at their first trip in Airplane.  (direct flight is about 4.30 hours)
When Airplane was going to land on Port Blair. Due to bad weather we were in the air until we get a clearing signal for landing. I got a chance to capture this beautiful Island.

Upon arrival at Port Blair, our tour coordinator was waiting at the receiving end.  We met our guide and get transferred to our hotel in new SUV's . Our Milan hotel is well organized with air conditioner and TV with kids channels too that is best savior.  The best thing about the choice of this hotel is it is just in middle of the market.

Food everywhere is not at all expensive.  However you should not expect the taste as per your north Indian habits but yes although the quality was not at all bad.  Especially if you wanna have sea food, they got the skills on that. In Goa, people find very less choice for vegetarian food but here they got the complete menu for them too.  If you are staying in this hotel then do try their 'ghee roast' that is lip smacking dosa. We had a lunch and rested for a while and then began for our tour.

I drink lot of coconut water here because in Delhi, you will never get this huge size coconut with 800 to 1ltr water in one coconut ,yummy. Really hot there better to stay hydrated.

Day 1-
Firstly, visit Corbyn's Cove Beach. MY kids enjoyed making sand castle there.

Water is not clear here as the sand is stony.  So it is not recommended to enjoy bathing here at all.

Day 2-
We started the city tour with Chatham Saw Mill,Entrance fee Rs. 20 and guide fees Rs. 150 (both included in package). It's a mill and museum which is quite impressive and informative. Guide will explain everything very well.  In Asia, it is the only saw mill of British Era which is still in working conditions with old machinery. Few of its main wood cutting machines of British era is still functional.You will get an insight of Andaman and Nicobar there. Where guide explain everything and specially the unique thing about this Islands. we also have a tour of Old british tie saw factory and it is nicely maintained by the Government.we cant enter without wearing helmet.

1.Some of the facts I love is that here in Andaman, elephants are imported from Bihar and trained here to work for them

2. Dugong, the gentle sea cow, is the state animal of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
3. The only active volcano in India, the Barren Island, is present in Andaman Islands.

4. Baratang in Andaman is the only place in India with mud volcanoes.
5. There is variety of wood available in island but raw material is not allowed to take away from here only crafted thing you can purchase. wood here is so fine and you can find double shade wood materials that is not painted but actually colour of double toned , only polished is done. I was so mesmerized with nature beauty.

6. There are six categories of tribes, one Nicobarese are now being civilized and also do jobs and hence there population also grows as they welcome another community in there tribes by marring them . they are the most populated among tribes 27686 in 2011 census. Other tribes Onges ,jarawas,Sentinelese,shompens are not civilized and dangerous as you have heard news of American killed by Tribes. They do not allow anyone to enter their territory. 

Later in the evening, we headed for Cellular Jail and witnessed the historical remnants of British reign in India.

Enjoy the Light and Sound Show that displays the dark days the Indian freedom fighters have gone through. The charge of ticket was Rs50/-. (included in package)

Stay overnight at your hotel.
Next day we visited Aquarium that has lot of Aquatic creatures chemically preserved, Shells ,corals. Not allowed to take pictures.No fee is charged for visiting it.

Thanks to our driver who take us to a food joint- Syndicate Mes for ethnic food. It was yummy and very affordable, I cant imagine so many dishes in Rs-140/-  Its adequate for 2 people.

Then we head towards Phoenix Bay Jetty,its a point to catch ferry to Havelock or grabbing your connecting ship/ cruise to other port cities of India. You can choice ship -Government ship or cruise. Government ship has reasonable charge.
Govt ships charges 250 per person from Portblair to Havolock. Private ship has 1100 to 2100 per person charge.
We have boarded govt ship that is fully AC and comfortable and thanks to Captain who let us sit on Captain's deck and we have a great view of giant ocean.

 Can you spot Rainbow?

We are lucky to witness beautiful Rainbow, meeting the island and sea edge to edge.
 
Note-Better to book ship tickets through agents because you will never get it online,we have tried for 1 month and agent told us they have paid Rs.200 commission to get it confirm. It always show sold out online.

We have done one mistake our ship time is 12 - 2 pm and it would be recommended to book the early morning vessel so that the you get adequate time on that day to cover the next destination as sun set at around 4.30pm in clear sky there.  And many beaches has the closing time of 5pm in evening. The journey from Port Blair to Havelock through Govt. Ferry is 02.00 hours. 
You can see many more places In Port Blair but we have limited time and has to visit two more islands.

You can visit

North Bay Island Andaman

Place for water sports activities like scuba diving, seawalk but if you planning for Havelock and Neil Island, then it is recommended to do these activities at Niel and Havelock as the under water visibility there is more fine.

Ross Island