Throughout the flight, I could not believe it. That Andaman will be ticked off my bucket list so soon. And it wasn't pre-planned either. I agreed on a whim. Boy, am I glad I did.
Let me tell you something. The image of the top view of an island from a few hundred miles in the air will forever be etched in your mind. That view was precisely why we had booked corner seats as much as we could.
Once at Veer Savarkar International airport, we quickly hailed two cabs, gobbled breakfast on the way and booked our ferry tickets to Havelock island. We had already decided to try out all the three ferries, so we booked Green ocean first. That was my first ferry ride and it was a blast with songs and dancing all throughout our journey.
Havelock
We intentionally took just 3 cottages at Green Valley resorts, though we were 11. We haggled with the person in-charge that we would adjust and that we wouldn't book an extra cottage.
1. Vijay nagar beach
This one was close to our resort. The moment I laid eyes on it I was stunned. I had never seen such a beautiful beach before (Throughout the blog, I would use this line for literally every beach we visited). The near-white beach sands, the picturesque landscape filled with lush green trees and the pristine blue waters were a feast for the eyes and a solace for the soul.
We played like crazy until it became dark and water level began rising to dangerous levels.
2. Neon Kabbadi
A trip isn't a trip without a little crazy, right? We had Neon glow sticks and everyone picked two and wrapped it around our wrists. After a mild dinner combined with a bit of alcohol, thankfully no one vomitted, we took a stroll along the beach and came across a spot which was pitch black.
Suddenly one of us said, "Hey let's play Kabbadi!". First we laughed. Then we actually came up with a way to play it. We used the Neon sticks to draw the boundaries and we split up according to the colour we had in our hands. We had invented Neon Kabbadi!! Oh, how fun and nostalgic it was as most of us played after several years.
3. Trek to Elephant beach and the beach itself
The second day, we had planned to relish in beaches. First stop, elephant beach. We came to know that we had to trek 2-3kms to reach the beach. Yayy!!
The trek was nothing short of exhilarating. In some rare moments of serenity, we could feel the gentle rustle of the leaves and the pleasant chirping of the birds. We soaked in every second of those precious moments.
Finally the beach unveiled and it was exquisite. The sparkling blue waters made it look like the water was filled with sapphires. And so pristine! The patrol guards didn't allow us to wade into the water. And all we wanted was to feel it against our skin. But we strolled a little further to a place where there were no guards and splashed into the water.
There were adventure activities like paragliding, jet-ski etc. We were really hoping for snorkelling but unfortunately that ride was closed. Humphhh! So as a sign of protest we didn't go for any other rides. That's a lie. We couldn't afford paragliding as we had already booked our Scuba. We comforted ourselves with the notion that we could do paragliding for half the price in Goa- the trip that never happens.
4.Radha Nagar beach
After the patrol guards kicked us out the second time, we finally gave up and went on our way to Radha Nagar beach. We had one Activa and 11 of us so Gold Pearl had to drive back and forth for 3 times. Fortunately, the distance was less. What this beach was not is secluded. This was a tourist beach bristling with travelers and tourists. The beach boasted of dark blue pristine waters surrounded with gigantic trees. The stunning landscape will stop you dead in your tracks.
As the sun started to sink in, we realized the perfect sunset point was not from the beach itself. We then trekked along the beach for 3 km or so, crossing rocky path, muddy path and watery path. Then we arrived at the sunset point. The view was mesmerizing. But we couldn't stay there for a longer time as it was getting dark and the return journey would be a bit dangerous with no light.
5. Saving the best for last- SCUBA DIVING!
I should write a separate blog specifically for Scuba diving as it encompasses several details. But I am going to compress them into a short para.
Wearing the suit and flippers, I envisioned myself as a professional Scuba instructor. But the truth was, I didn't even know swimming. When the actual instructor started giving me tips I was scared. I have always been a little scared of water. But in Scuba you have to breath through your mouth, clear pressured air from your ear and most of all, remember the signs to communicate with your instructor. But my guy was really patient. His energy levels were through the roof though I was his 5th or 6th.
But once we dived, I emancipated all thoughts from my head. I relished each and every moment.
When you become one with the sea, witnessing some of the most beautiful sea creatures, it is an ineffable feeling. You have to experience it to feel it. Being one with the coral life, trust me it blows you away. When you find Nemo, a mushy feeling will wash over you and you might become a little emotional.
Add-on: Sunrise and Sunset
As I said in my earlier blog, it is truly a privilege to witness sunrise and sunset at Andaman. Especially when the sky radiates a light bluish hue. The initial orange-red state and finally when you feel the rays hitting, spectate the waters glimmering more beautiful than diamonds, and combined with the serenity, you wish you could stop time. Sunsets are equally exhilarating.
That Big Coconut
Ok I have to mention this. Near the Radha nagar beach we had a tender coconut. Its size was huuggeee! One tender coconut could have easily contained 1 litre of coconut water and when you eat the tender part inside, it will satiate you for 3 hours easily. We struggled to finish one whole coconut each. Many of them wasted some amount but not me. It was a challenge and after putting in massive efforts, I did it. I ate one tender coconut all by myself.
And that's my last blog for Andaman! Hope you enjoyed them. Let me know in the comments section. And one last thing. Subscribe.
Let me tell you something. The image of the top view of an island from a few hundred miles in the air will forever be etched in your mind. That view was precisely why we had booked corner seats as much as we could.
Once at Veer Savarkar International airport, we quickly hailed two cabs, gobbled breakfast on the way and booked our ferry tickets to Havelock island. We had already decided to try out all the three ferries, so we booked Green ocean first. That was my first ferry ride and it was a blast with songs and dancing all throughout our journey.
Havelock
We intentionally took just 3 cottages at Green Valley resorts, though we were 11. We haggled with the person in-charge that we would adjust and that we wouldn't book an extra cottage.
1. Vijay nagar beach
This one was close to our resort. The moment I laid eyes on it I was stunned. I had never seen such a beautiful beach before (Throughout the blog, I would use this line for literally every beach we visited). The near-white beach sands, the picturesque landscape filled with lush green trees and the pristine blue waters were a feast for the eyes and a solace for the soul.
 |
| Vijay Nagar Beach |
We played like crazy until it became dark and water level began rising to dangerous levels.
2. Neon Kabbadi
A trip isn't a trip without a little crazy, right? We had Neon glow sticks and everyone picked two and wrapped it around our wrists. After a mild dinner combined with a bit of alcohol, thankfully no one vomitted, we took a stroll along the beach and came across a spot which was pitch black.
Suddenly one of us said, "Hey let's play Kabbadi!". First we laughed. Then we actually came up with a way to play it. We used the Neon sticks to draw the boundaries and we split up according to the colour we had in our hands. We had invented Neon Kabbadi!! Oh, how fun and nostalgic it was as most of us played after several years.
3. Trek to Elephant beach and the beach itself
The second day, we had planned to relish in beaches. First stop, elephant beach. We came to know that we had to trek 2-3kms to reach the beach. Yayy!!
The trek was nothing short of exhilarating. In some rare moments of serenity, we could feel the gentle rustle of the leaves and the pleasant chirping of the birds. We soaked in every second of those precious moments.
 |
| The trek |
Finally the beach unveiled and it was exquisite. The sparkling blue waters made it look like the water was filled with sapphires. And so pristine! The patrol guards didn't allow us to wade into the water. And all we wanted was to feel it against our skin. But we strolled a little further to a place where there were no guards and splashed into the water.
 |
| Elephant beach |
There were adventure activities like paragliding, jet-ski etc. We were really hoping for snorkelling but unfortunately that ride was closed. Humphhh! So as a sign of protest we didn't go for any other rides. That's a lie. We couldn't afford paragliding as we had already booked our Scuba. We comforted ourselves with the notion that we could do paragliding for half the price in Goa- the trip that never happens.
4.Radha Nagar beach
After the patrol guards kicked us out the second time, we finally gave up and went on our way to Radha Nagar beach. We had one Activa and 11 of us so Gold Pearl had to drive back and forth for 3 times. Fortunately, the distance was less. What this beach was not is secluded. This was a tourist beach bristling with travelers and tourists. The beach boasted of dark blue pristine waters surrounded with gigantic trees. The stunning landscape will stop you dead in your tracks.
 |
| Radha Nagar beach |
As the sun started to sink in, we realized the perfect sunset point was not from the beach itself. We then trekked along the beach for 3 km or so, crossing rocky path, muddy path and watery path. Then we arrived at the sunset point. The view was mesmerizing. But we couldn't stay there for a longer time as it was getting dark and the return journey would be a bit dangerous with no light.
 |
| Sunset point from Radha nagar beach |
5. Saving the best for last- SCUBA DIVING!
I should write a separate blog specifically for Scuba diving as it encompasses several details. But I am going to compress them into a short para.
Wearing the suit and flippers, I envisioned myself as a professional Scuba instructor. But the truth was, I didn't even know swimming. When the actual instructor started giving me tips I was scared. I have always been a little scared of water. But in Scuba you have to breath through your mouth, clear pressured air from your ear and most of all, remember the signs to communicate with your instructor. But my guy was really patient. His energy levels were through the roof though I was his 5th or 6th.
But once we dived, I emancipated all thoughts from my head. I relished each and every moment.
When you become one with the sea, witnessing some of the most beautiful sea creatures, it is an ineffable feeling. You have to experience it to feel it. Being one with the coral life, trust me it blows you away. When you find Nemo, a mushy feeling will wash over you and you might become a little emotional.
Add-on: Sunrise and Sunset
As I said in my earlier blog, it is truly a privilege to witness sunrise and sunset at Andaman. Especially when the sky radiates a light bluish hue. The initial orange-red state and finally when you feel the rays hitting, spectate the waters glimmering more beautiful than diamonds, and combined with the serenity, you wish you could stop time. Sunsets are equally exhilarating.
 |
| Sunrise from Vijay Nagar beach |
That Big Coconut
Ok I have to mention this. Near the Radha nagar beach we had a tender coconut. Its size was huuggeee! One tender coconut could have easily contained 1 litre of coconut water and when you eat the tender part inside, it will satiate you for 3 hours easily. We struggled to finish one whole coconut each. Many of them wasted some amount but not me. It was a challenge and after putting in massive efforts, I did it. I ate one tender coconut all by myself.
And that's my last blog for Andaman! Hope you enjoyed them. Let me know in the comments section. And one last thing. Subscribe.
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