Pleasures of the sea

Andaman & nicobar

Ibn Battuta says, “Travelling, it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” My travel to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands did just that.

It was the maiden flight out of Bengaluru to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and I was on it. Even before I landed on the pristine islands, the view from the airplane was mesmerising. The islands were scattered in the emerald waters, and I couldn’t wait to explore them.

It was already dusk by the time I reached Port Blair. The streets here were clean and the temperature, balmy. Port Blair was just a pit stop, the next day, I headed for the Havelock Island, a haven for world-famous beaches and water sports.

I had to catch the early morning cruise on MV Makruzz to get to the island. The sun was already high at 8 am, and the cool interiors of the cruise boat were enticing. Once at Havelock, I eagerly left for Kaala Patthar Beach. For the first few dream-like moments, I just couldn’t believe my eyes. The water was turquoise, with the sand shimmering silver in the sun. The bark of a dead tree framed the beauty of the beach, and some huge rocks withstood the might of the lashing waves.

Water, water everywhere

After lunch, which comprised a delectable lightly cooked fish among other things, I visited the Radha Nagar Beach, which is ranked among the top 10 beaches around the world. And the minute I saw the sea and sand, I knew why. The aquamarine waters were framed by a hill, which was covered with green, orange and rust trees, which formed a perfect backdrop to the beautiful beach. As the sun slowly disappeared behind the sea, the water went from a liquid gold to a beautiful purple and then a sombre grey.

The next day, my destination was the Elephant Beach, known for water-sports. I reached the beach on a small boat, and the view was lovely. The visibility was amazing, and I could spot some fish, as I stood knee-deep in the water. I geared myself up for snorkelling. As I went to the chosen spot to dive, I was dumbstruck. Fish of every colour, size and variety swam under me. The colourful corals acted as a perfect backdrop for the underwater drama unfolding before me.

A similar, if not better, experience awaited during my scuba diving stint. Scuba diving required more training and complete control over breathing and communication techniques inside water. The fish and other marine life seemed much bigger this time. Scuba diving was truly a charmed experience, one that I am not likely to forget.

My last jaunt was to head back to Port Blair for some sight-seeing. The famous lighthouse (that one can spot in all Rs 20 notes) could be seen from one of the lovely sea-facing properties. My destination, however, was the historical Cellular Jail, the landmark that gave these virgin islands the morbid name of Kaala Paani, which translates to ‘black waters’. Prisoners sent to Kaala Paani seldom returned alive.

The Cellular Jail stood tall and proud, echoing in its corridors the tenacity and resilience of human spirit. I spent a quiet afternoon walking around the jail, and imagining how grim life would have been for the prisoners. The light-and-sound show gave an insightful recap of the sacrifices made by brave Indians to free the country from the tyranny of the British rule. The jail now stands as a symbol of dignity, of our struggle for freedom, and of the ultimate triumph of good over evil. My visit to the Cellular Jail ended on a sober and introspective note.

Some say we travel to escape life, however, after this truly unforgettable trip to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, I would say we travel not to let life escape us.