Andaman - Biodiversity in its richness

Posted by Dr.Athira krishnan Athira On time ! February 03, 2025

Andaman - Biodiversity in its richness

More of it ....🌄

Travelogue by Dr. Athira Krishnan

♦️Day 1

We reached Trivandrum airport by 5:40 am, cleared the check in, baggage check in and security check and finally reached Gate 2, but changed the seating near Gate 3 as per the changes made by the flight arrival. We could not resist the morning breakfast of bread and omelette and finally decided to have some of it before boarding. We boarded on the right time and spent one hour inside the flight with all the excitement just building inside us. We reached Bangalore airport at the right time but lost our way reaching the baggage claim area instead of the security checking in area. Finally, we found our way through to the boarding gate after a long queue at security check and small breakfast at the restaurant inside. The rates at the restaurant shouldn't go unmentioned because it really popped out eyes out with 'one Dosa with curry' priced Rs. 245/- and 'one tea' priced Rs. 210/-. The thought of all the health problems due to undernutrition and overnutrition flickered inside the head, but finally decided to keep my assessment of overpricing of such common food items restricted to my thoughts and writing.

We waited for 30 minutes in the waiting area infront of gate number 23, spent some time in planning on rest of the trip, talking with other group members and my usual sign board reading written in kannada to improve my kannada word and sentence understanding.

We had taken the support of digiyatra app from the kiosk at airport when we went to Assam and also at Bangalore, even though exploration on it did not go beyond it by navigating the app. Somehow, the thought about it resurged when Amar lost the removable part of the 'paper' of the boarding pass. We were clueless on what to answer if it was asked at the bus boarding area. We were surprised to get cleared at the checkpoint and thankful for the digital travel initiative and its purpose to make travel paperless.

The flight journey to Port Blair started with a jerky take off, kids slept off throughout the 2 and a half hours, but was awakened up by the scenic beauty of the aerial view of the Andaman and Nicobar islands close to landing. They captured photos, snacked and then reached the Portblair airport where photos are restricted. We couldn't resist to reach out of the airport and atleast capture one picture of the famous Veer Sarvarkar International airport of Portblair.

Corbyn's cove beach

We completed a quick round of cleaning ourselves and the bags and got dressed up for the first destination, Corbyn's cove beach. The beach is an enclosed area, looking separate from the main sea surrounded on three sides by the hills.We took group photos, enjoyed the air of setting sun ( even though it was not seen from the beach) and had snacks. The beach was crowded as any other tourist spot and filled with snack and sea shell accessories' vendors. The place is comparable to part of the Kovalam beach in Trivandrum with a difference of Kovalam cove being a bit more larger with recently started water sport activities.

Cellular jail

Next, we reached the cellular jail, famous in its structure but unpopular in the activities which took place in 19th and 20 th century. We waited for 20 minutes patiently to watch the 'light and sound' show inside. After we got seated in our allotted seats, the next one hour caught our attention with the events which took place after these islands were identified, during British and Japanese reign and further taken up by the Indian government. The tyranny of the rulers and the torture which the prisoners suffered, took us beyond the text book pages of history and notes we prepared. The bloodshed, pain, suffering in the midst of self protest led to freedom movement took the protests past the confines of the Island to the mainland. The narrative style gave us 'goosebumps' and tested our (especially children's) emotional strength to bear atleast the stories of pain and suffering to be in the country fearless and move on with renowned strength and courage.

The lights were projected across two spokes of the jail structure and sound which elaborated the events with the narration. It mesmerised us by taking ourselves into those time period and involving us in the memories of the Island.

The narration reminded me of the movie " Kala Pani", which is based on the stories of mainland and Andaman islands simultaneously with the main characters as prisoners later in the movie.

♦️Day 2 -

This day started at 2:30 am in the morning since I woke up with discomfort without the air conditioning and the fan switched off. But, I decided to continue my day with the chores done so early. I did a quick check on my youtube channel and blog for any comments to provide reply to, completed writing the Day 1 of this journey and started the process of waking up the children. I had hot water to drink, got the bags ready and dressed with an attire suited for sea and sun bath. In the meantime time, children woke up, finished their chores and dressed up suiting the activities of the day. We reached the waiting area at the hotel lounge at 4:30 am to find there was no one. We were worried and thought the group had left us here, but still waited with patience. Slowly, each one poured in, started chatting with excitement and apprehension of the day and moved to the bus which will take us to the sea port for passenger transfer.

It was our first time experience to be in a seaport equivalent to an airport. Seaport is the place where passengers board a ship and, cargo are also taken to other places accessible through the sea. This was a domestic port, where the boat or ship take us to places accessible by sea, within a country. We got in through the passenger terminal, completed the identification, registration and checking parts of the initial journey to Havelock (presently Swaraj dweep) island from Portblair.

The cruise ship called 'Makkruz', was large enough for around 100 passengers. We were seated in the ground floor front seat. Our expectation of capturing photos of the ocean and hills went into pipeline when the ship started moving. The waves and the movement of water due to other ships caused wavy and jerky movements of the ship such that we felt nauseous. Me and kids slept for the one and a half hour journey and woke up afresh to continue the activities of the day. We reached the island at 8:30 am, had a quick and light breakfast, moved to the vehicle which will take us to the beaches and cover the road transports.

Kala pather beach

First, we went to 'Kala pather' beach, a beautiful beach with its green-blue water and white sandy beach with wave froth so white and fresh. Moreover there were mangroves which hold the land and soil together preventing soil erosion. I did small shopping and bought few shell and pearl accessories. We moved to the next and final destination of the day, Radhanagar beach after spending one hour at 'kala pather'.

Radhanagar beach in long shot

We reached one of the largest cove beaches in Asia, Radhanagar beach within one hour. The place is clean with facilities for toilet, bath and dress change. There are huts and shades with tree trunks polished and placed for sitting and resting. There are reclining seats to relax at the place and also guards and coast police for security. The children and few others in the group bathed in the sea water for one hour. The sun was beaming in the sky spreading its heat and light across with frequent hides within the clouds giving some shade and coolness. I had sore throat and took rest at the beach after a below knee sea wash. Photo sessions of the group members and vlogging continued simultaneously. The visual treat around captured my attention and I was engrossed in it most of the time we were in the beach. After the light lunch, I went shopping and bought one floral long beach wear, few crochet overcoats. Children bought few accessories for their grandmother.

Sea bath

We finished our excitement filled day by 3:30 and boarded the vehicle which will take us to the seaport. We reached the seaport at Havelock island and waited for one hour, before our cruise ship reached for our boarding. During the waiting hour, we shared our doubts, observations and apprehension among the group. The curiousity build up inside us on reaching the island, was calmed by the sea water, breeze, sun bath and hearty shopping.

Finally, the cruise ship which takes us back to Portblair arrived. The one and half hour in it was spent by capturing photos, sleeping and conversing with each other about the day's activity. We reached at the hotel at 6 pm, had a heavy dinner at 7:30 pm and prepared for the next day, correcting the mistakes and avoiding the confusion of previous days. It was a tiring day and me and kids hit the bed early for a long sleep till next day 7 am.

The highlight of the day was the sea bath at Radhanagar beach.

♦️Day 3

The third day considered as a day of adventures started at 7 am with heavy breakfast, usual vehicle transfers and boarding the motored boat from ferry. Inside the bus, we were briefed about the water sports at North bay coral island, and money was collected for each activity intended to attend. Viewing the receipt of each activity with name written was exciting, more than the scenic view on this day and we were engrossed in discussing on it. We were also summarised about the history of Ross island presently called Subash Chandra Bose Island. I chose scuba diving and kayaking, Amar chose scuba diving and parasailing and Aditya had to restrict himself to snorkeling due age restriction. He also chose parasailing. There was initial confusion on the activities chosen, but I settled the kids' minds and finally confirmed the water sports of which we get a taste on.

We boarded the 'Rock and roll' boat and reached North bay island. The bags were kept inside the locker and our ( Amartya and mine) self declaration form were processed. The scuba dress they provided was small for me and I resorted to my swimming dress. We dressed, allotted to different guides. Guide named 'Roopam', explained the activities to be done underwater, in the deep and while taken to the deep and surfacing. Finally, after 10 minutes, me and Roopam moved to the deeper side and I was slowly guided through the under surface of the water, observing the corals and fishes. In writing, the experience seems simplified. The cool water which changed to warm water below few metres from the surface, closed ears due to pressure variation inside the ears, various types of corals, colourful blue-green-yellow- black fishes glowing under the light, the white sandy, the moulded pebbles, everything seemed to be a dream come true. The whole process was disappointing but ended in pursuing the activity. Scuba diving is worth a sport to be tried wherever it is available.

Scuba diving

The guide complimented for the hassle free diving experience and I thanked him before I left for Kayakin'.

For kayakin, two person row a small, thin, boat with an ore possible for directional change, forward row and backward row. Since, I was alone, I was accompanied by the guide himself. He had to guide another couple too and left me alone to row and change directions myself. We started to row after a 2 minutes summarising of the method to use the ore called "Feel free". It was a new experience rowing a boat in the sea myself. Most of the excitement was to change the direction of the boat to escape hitting other boats. The guide gives instruction to such as ' left, right, forward, backward, both side's and we row accordingly. We reached till the middle of the sea to get a view of the surrounding hills and hillocks, captured few photographs and returned in 25- 30 minutes.

Kayaking

We ran to reach out boat which was waiting to take us to our next destination, Ross island( presently Netaji Subash Chandra Bose island). The arrangement was parasailing was done such that the children will be taken from the boat of parasail from midway of ride to the island.

They were taken in the boat as planned and went gliding across the sky with their parachutes, one after other. Theie experience on parasailing has to be extracted from them. So, I move on to the events on reaching the Ross island.

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose island
(Ross island)

The island was the old capital of Andaman State and we were able to see the remains of the governing structures and buildings in the island. The capital was later moved to Port Blair and the place remains preserved for tourist visits. Deers and peacocks move around freely. They pose for photos and we can touch them without restrictions. I waited for the children to reach after parasailing. In the meantime, I clicked few photos with deer and the view from the island. On them reaching , we took a battery operated car to take a tour of the island. The remains of the island are so old with roots and branches of the tress all over the ground and the relics which are left stranded. We saw the point where convicts were killed with guns. The highlight of the day was the famous watch tower of the island which is printed on our old, red coloured 20 Rupees note. The view and the scenic beauty around the island is beyond excellence.

Watch tower - 20 Rupees note

Finally, we moved on, boarding our boat and reached Portblair hotel, had an early and heavy dinner as we had to get up at 2:15 am the next morning to reach the Baratang island.

Fatigued to continue on ........

About limestone cave ....