When I informed my colleagues about my plan to visit Andaman, one of them mockingly asked “Kalapani ja rahe ho?” That time I felt bad about the comment but when I was returning from Andaman and reminded the
same, I was smiling. We are so prejudiced about Andaman that whenever we think of it, our brain makes pictures of a massive jail standing on a remote island surrounded by horrific black sea tides. The word Kalapani, for most of us, means a place from where nobody returns .This bias generally prevents us to make colorful pictures of Andaman. When we reached Port Blair, our first destination was the Cellular Jail. Luckily when we got there, a light and sound show was waiting for us. All tourists had gathered inside the jail. It was getting darker and a weird feeling could have been read on every
face. It was a vicarious feeling. Perhaps everyone was thinking of those freedom fighters who had sacrificed their families,
homes, lives …everything. I was thinking of their loneliness and the atrocities done to them by the British. The light and sound show started with a patriotic song and it went through spines. I felt as if I was standing in a pious temple. My eyes were wet and that very evening my whole idea about Andaman was changed.
It turned into, in my mind, one of the most sacred and beautiful part of my country. Day two finds us in Havelock Island which is famous for Radhanagar Beach .It is the most beautiful beach on the island and was rated as the best in Asia by ‘Time’ in 2004.Walking on nice white sand backed by a forest, is a fascinating experience White sand is made by the erosion of coral
reefs. Coral can only be found in waters where the temperature never drops below 21C. Darker sands do not reflect light and heat, so it becomes very
hot.World class sands keep cool in the sunshine, while inferior sands become hot. Ferries are the only way on or off the island. 2-3 ferries arrive daily from Port Blair and take 3-4 hours. Our next destination was Ross Island via the North Bay.The Bay is famous for its coconut jungle and for its light house.
Snorkeling is very popular here, with several options. Local shopkeepers rent out fins and masks for Rs 50/each. There are greatreefs for snorkeling in the bay. The Ross Island is about 2 km west of North Bay and can be reached by a short boat ride. Bearing the haunted look today, the Ross Island was the Administrative Headquarters
for the Andaman and Nicobar before an earthquake rocked it in 1941. The headquarters were then shifted to Port Blair. One can see remnants of an opulent past in the ruins of the church, swimming pool and the chief commissioner’s residence with its
huge gardens and grand ballrooms. There is also a cemetery and a small museum managed by the Indian Navy.
Andamans’ unparalleled beauty is not confined to beaches only. Andaman and Nicobar Islands have 84% forest with lush greenery. More than 150 plants and animal species are endemic to the islands with about more than 110 varieties of wild orchids. Stunning beaches, active volcanoes, pristine coral reefs, lush green forests, mangroves and 100-foot high mahua trees.. the Andaman Islands are India’s secret paradise.
