When I met her for the first time in Café Coffee Day, didn’t think that she would be the one! Sipping the Ice tea we started our conversation, usual blah…blah… stuff. Had the impression that she is not an out door, travel kind of girl… but liked her on the first sight though.
Wanted to know her more called her late night for some mobile chatting…to my surprise she was saying how she traveled places. The list was pretty long and some interesting places like Waynard, Moonar, Vizag etc. To me the highlight was Palaruvi which is in Kollam district of Kerala.
When I was doing my college 2nd yr, we all went to Jeba Raj’s house warming ceremony in Pallyamkottai and he arranged for a trip where we went to Kuttrallam, Palaruvi & Achan Kovil. Trust me Palaruvi is easily one of the best falls that I have ever seen in
The engagement date was fixed 23rd Nov and the marriage date too fixed 26 Dec. One thing yet to be fixed is our Honey Moon. I wanted to have very relaxed lay down honey moon rather than very hectic sight seeing stuff…after talking to Jane who also interested in exploring new places. I set my sight on
I was little upset 4-5 days of effort in collecting info about
After a week long careful search in the net, reading lot of reviews, blogs etc I finalized two places Port Blair and
To confess something – I am highly fascinated by sea. No matter how many times I have been mesmerized by its sheer vastness, or romantic beaches, a look at it still takes my breath away. In fact becaz of my greater affinity towards sea, I would have been carried away (drowned :-) ) couple of times in my childhood. So knowing me very well my entire family was against my travel plan. Some of my aunties even suggested me to drop this and go to Ooty or Kodaikanal and have a peaceful honey moon. But tell me what fun in that? So I sticked to my original plan.
My mind, unable to deal with something on this scale, just shuts down in an inexpressible awe that anything on this earth could be so vast, so beautiful, and so silent. So I was quite excited about this trip.
Day 1
The trip is of 6 days and 7 nights, Jan 04 (Sunday) – Jan 10 (Saturday). Sunday early morning 2 am we left home and reach the airport. After check-in and security check we were waiting to board the flight. Jane was little excited as she flying for the first time :) (let me take credit for that). We have boarded the plane and Jane could was peeking out of the window to see the take off. Good that I have specifically asked for a window seat!
After 2 hrs
On outside the view of the resort was exactly the same as just what proclaimed in the website. The site has good ambiance, surrounded by coconut and palm nut trees. In that our hut was in a reasonably big Mango Tree about 6 feet from the ground level. The way to the hut was of all concrete, the basement and some portion of the side walls are made of concrete. I was little disappointed as I was imagining a hut on the very top of the tree and the only way in would be hanging wooden & rope staircase! Pew…the disappointment literally shown on my face!
We opened the door and it was little stinking, the carpet was dirty, the bed was dull, cold and I didn’t like that on my first sight. Then I slowly opened the door of the bath room…hell Jesus Christ...I yelled. Guess what, the toilet was not flushed…! Called up the room boy and he immediately sent a person to clean up all. I was so pissed off and glared at Jane with an expression…this is not what I saw in their website! She stared back…no pl. Arul don’t screw up rest of the day…lets move on!!
We quickly refreshed ourselves, came out and glanced at other huts in the resort. We found one Andaman Nicobari Style hut real nice and unoccupied. After having Bread & Omelet for breakfast, went to reception and talked to Sathya for possible change of huts. He promised he will do something within the evening.
Ok…Its time to explore Port Blair. We left to Corbyn’s
Without wasting much of time in the beach we left to see the infamous Cellular Jail. Paid 20 bucks for entry fee and went in. The jail view was spectacular and the cells were more organized. The view from the view-tower could suggest you that you are in an island and there is no way out.
Found a couple to click this snap
It was around 3 pm, sipping some tea was inquiring Govind about other places to see near by. Then fixed up on
This is definitely much better than Corbyn’s Cove...The view with the coconut trees all along the beach side was awesome. I was just about to jump in to the waters and just noticed Jane was falling behind. She was clearly upset, not knowing what could be the issue and asked very casually whats bothering her. She stared at me without saying any word…then I realized its something to do with me! After hrs of Negotiation we got into terms and captured some stunning views of Wandoor.
The sun almost faded off and I was very relieved that I could pull her off the hook!! It could have very well ruined our evening there…
I badly needed a smoke, they were almost closing the shops. After a long time I lighted one!
We were back at the resort and much relieved knowing that we could get the hut that we seen in the morning. Got the keys, very skeptically opened the doors and to my surprise that was the one that I saw in the website. So day 1 was very fascinating with lot of new experiences!
Day 2
Early in the morning chotu the room boy woke us up with some tea. I had tough time talking to him with my little known Hindi. He always looks after to Jane in understanding what I was saying. Jane is pretty fluent though and I have to admit, she did pretty impress me…! Quickly transferring Day 1 pics to my laptop, left early to catch up the Ferry which leaves at 9.30 am.
We Rushed to the port and got the tickets to ferry
The ferry started and was on the way to
There was not much to see in
The guide in his base voice yelled that we have 1 and half hr to roam around the island and we have to be back in the ferry by 11:30 am. As there was not much to see there, I was some how looking to get my memory stick back :)
I was looking for some speed boat to take us back to the port and I was ready to pay whatever it gonna cost me…! The snacks vendor at the ferry informed us the other boat docked there was going to the port in few minutes to get food for all the tour members of
We went back to the port, leaving Jane at the dock I had to do a 200 meter dash to get to the main gate. Govind was waiting with the laptop, I heaved a sigh of relief and got the Memory Stick back…again a 200 meter dash got me back to the ferry…! Looking for the ferry ticket…oops lost it somewhere in this mess…anyway no need for that though… happened to know all the guys by then!
Joined M.V. Hut bay we all sailed towards
Again there was not much to see except a hill top building where Britishers used to hang the prisoners. The other notable thing is – There is only one small shop and only one person living on the entire island!
Got into the ferry…had some boring vegetable biriyani for lunch and were sailing to
There are guides available who can take you into waters for snorkeling. After keeping all our stuffs in a shop we plunged into the waters. Selvam was our guide who took us different parts and shown some amazing Corals, king shell fish etc. Most of the Corals are ripped off by the 2004 Tsunami and only very handful left.
Got into glass bottom boat and reached the ferry which was anchored little deep away from the shallow waters.
On the way back Selvam put me behind the Ferry wheel for some time, they are all very welcome and helpful people as ever!
It was around 5:30 in the evening and had some shot at the sunset in the port.
Govind was waiting outside the port and we had a stroll in the bazaar. Then went back to the hotel and end of day 2.
Day 3
After two day routine sight seeing stuff we wanted to do something different this time. Rent a car and go for spin? Or bike ride would be better a choice? Jane preferred a bike ride...! Luckily we have got the contact of Uday Baskar who is a college buddy of my cousin. He owns some business in Port Blair and near by
Apache RTR 100!
Approached Govt Tourism Dept for getting local maps…pew! They don’t even have that word in their dictionary…! Its none other than one more Govt building with little assistance! The plan is to trek
We rode down the bay after having breakfast in fast food and reached Chatham Jetty vehicle ferry station. Parked the Apache into the ferry and went to Bamboo Flats from where we can climb to the
On the way to
Chidiya Tapu is around 40 Km from the base of
On the way to Wandoor Govind pointed out some stagnant water and said all Tsunami waters. We didn’t heed much to it…! On our way to Chidiya Tapu we were seeing lot of water logging and ruins of trees. Later came to know from the locals that the water swept the entire island from one end to the other and still the water is not receding!
Some pics of the Tsunami ruins…
The time is ticking so fast, the sky slowly turning pink and the Sun slowly shutting down. I was pushing hard on the throttle and there was some sense of urgency, we need to hit Chidiya Tapu for Sunset!
The road was very narrow most of them with lots of pot holes. There were hardly any road signs and we had to ask the locals very frequently. The locals are very friendly and helpful, some over enthusiastically gave us wrong direction…! Being a Chennaite you know well how to negotiate such people! Lost here and there a bit but finally reached Chidiya Tapu. The ride was very long as we expected, it took us almost 2 & half hours but we made before Sunset. My watch showed 5:50
We little disappointed, there was no beach just a view point. Later came to know that if you go another 3 km behind the view point there would be a beach.
Ok…Its time to ride back to the resort. As the road was bad and lonely we wanted to cover most of the distance before it gets dark. After 40 mins ride we got to a junction and we had a tea break! My tummy started giving trouble again, I was pretty tried as my body parts wouldn’t have nurtured properly becaz of my digestive shut down.
Now all my worry is – In the morning have called up Mr.Pandian (Our Resort Cook) to prepare Crab, Shell Muscles, Prawn, Squid whatever he could get in that list for the dinner. To add up to my frustration he had prepared Crab Masala and Grilled Jumbo Prawns. My upset tummy didn’t stop me having all this J We were so relaxed, took all our time and finished the dinner. The highlight being Jane eating crab with such ease…later learned that it is one of her favorite!
Day 4
We checked out Palm Groove Eco Resort at 5:30 in the morning and left to catch the ferry leaving to
After half an hour drive we reached the port and boarded the Ferry. It left the port by 7 am. It will take around 5 hrs to reach
We arrived at Pristine Beach Resort right @ lunch time. The first sight itself could drive you crazy, the resort is beautifully placed right on the shore of Beach 5. The beach was all covered by coconut trees, the view of crystal clear waters, plenty of silence and few foreign babes relaxing in bikinis gives you a feel of totally being in some other part of the world!
We approached the reception cum restaurant and we been told that our hut will be ready in few minutes. Perfect…I recharged myself with a chilled KF beer and Jane too tasted for the first time…! After a brief wait Robin the manager took us to our hut. The huts are completely built in bamboo with perfect ambiance. There was this little balcony on top with a small bed, perfect hide out for the honeymooners.
There comes the scream from Jane “There is no f*** door in the bathroom. Yes it was done deliberately, only a curtain hanged in there, its all natural way u know :)
After having a blunt lunch at the restaurant we had a stroll in the beach. Easily that was the most beautiful private beach that I have ever seen in my life. No surprise that some most spectacular pictures of the trip were clicked down there.
We were the only Indian pair among the occupants and then I realized why the food was so very blunt !?!
It was 3:30 in the evening, we called up Selvam and left to
Day 5
We leisurely made ourselves ready for a bumpy day ahead! The plan is to visit Elephant beach which is know for its extensive range of Coral reefs and marine life. The guide - Ramesh took us in a boat, its nothing but a Kattumaram with an extra fitting of a diesel motor. The whole ride was really bumpy and many a time it was very close to have a tip over. I have to tell you for the whole one hour Jane had her heart in her mouth!
This time I had to do snorkeling all alone as Jane opted to explore the beach. The corals are of great range and thousand times better that what I have seen in
We reached
Later in the evening tired to rent a scooter but all sold out, so we had a stroll in the bazaar. Jane picked up some ear rings, kada etc. also picked up a fight with me. Somehow chilled her off and the rest of the evening went great!!
Day 6
Spending two days of routine sight seeing stuffs, wanted to do some thing interesting this time. There was this internet café right in front of our resort that rents bi-
cycles. We rented two cycles and started peddling our way to
Its an isolated beach approximately 10 km from the place where we stayed. We have been told to go North till the road ends. Right on those stretches of Beach 5 there are series of resorts both budgeted as well as expensive ones. To name a few – Pelicon Beach Resort, Wild Orchard, Dolphin Yatri Nivas (Govt undertaken), Holiday Inn, Sunrise Beach Resort etc. All of them are on the edge of the beach and has a very good view of those lovely beaches.
The ride along side of the beach was wonderful. Trees all over the sides that spreads the shades on to the road. Uphill and downhill we rode and it was quite a nice experience. Could see some fresh elephant dung on the way, reminding us we are in a different territory altogether.
The road takes a turn on the right and goes deep inside the woods. On the left you have this
After careful assessment, I plunged into waters. There was lot of rocks on the beach which made swimming very dangerous. Could find some area where the waters are shallow and no rocks. Had a nice one last swim in the beach and packed up stuffs!!
The ride back was enjoyable as ever, I played some music in my mobile just loud enough for us to listen.
For a difference had our lunch at Wild Orchard Resort, though it was expensive to its standards it was good. Especially the beer was very chill, Jane this time by the name of tasting it seriously cut short my share!
It was around 4 pm and we boarded the ferry back to Port Blair. This time it was in a speed ferry. For a change the sixth day Sunset was in the ferry, was able to click some funny pics like this.
Later in the evening we spend chatting old college stories and first time seen Jane sharing some of her personal lighter moments.
Govind picked us up and dropped us in the bazaar. We shopped some gifts to share to my sister mom, Neha etc we left to Palm Groove Resort. They all as friendly as ever welcomed us, in spite of running full Sathya blocked us a room for that night. I had called Pandian from
This time had a full course dinner and thanked Pandian and Choto with some tips.
Left the hotel by 9:30 and reached the airport. We boarded our flight. This time too I had asked for one window seat, before Jane could sit a middle aged lady sneaked through and sat in our seat. She was in no mood to give away the window seat and with much of disappointment Jane sat next to her!
