Even though I have said that "Almost Pakistan" might be my last one, Im adding this one for one beautiful, sometimes very stubborn, but amazing lady, that has asked me to post something about Andamans. So this one is dedicated to you Elena.. ;)
The Andaman islands are islands in the bay of Bengal, considerably closer to Thailand then to India, but they are still under Indian influence. They were washed of during the 2004 boxing tsunami... Many people have died there, but the islands and the people have moved on and the tourism is back to the peak again.
We have spent amazing 5 days there, flying from Chennai, but there can be also other rout from Kolkata. The only entering airport is in the capital Port Blair. Non Indian citizens have to fill up a form on the arrival, which will give you a pass to move around Andamans. You have to get one (it is free of charge and takes only about 10 minutes) since few places in Andaman and Nicobar islands are very protected and nobody can enter there. This paper is allowing you to stay in many places around the Andamans and you better keep it with you all the time.
When we reached Pt. Blair, we made it straight to the jetty for the boat to Neil islands. Since Port Blair really dont have much to offer and the closest nice beach is around 10kms out from the city. So we have taken the governmental boat to Neil island, which took around 2 and half hours and cost 250 ruppies per person. What a coincidence that we have met another Czech family, travelling to Neil island also!!! :D :D
When it comes to Neil island and accommodation you have plenty options to choose from. I have made a booking for us before we even came through booking.com and it really was a good choice. The resort was called Symphony something, but it was really nice type of resort with restaurant and sometimes helpful staff. ;) (The only problem was that the hot water wasnt running, but it was constantly over 30 degrees Celsius so a little bit of cold water didnt hurt).
The other option is to look for the accommodation when you get to the islands. HERE BE CAREFUL with the rickshaw drivers. They are waiting for the Goras (white people) when they get out of the boat and offer cheap rides to places offering accommodation, but if they bring you, you will have to pay extra commission to the rickshaw driver, so always know where you want to go (find out on internet) and say that you already have a booking.. ;)
The best way to travel around the Neil islands is by a scooter. To rent the scooter it costs only 250 per day (without petrol that you have to buy in the village), but you have to pay deposit of 1000 INR and then they will give you the rest when you return the scooter. You rent it for 24 hours (day).
You have to travel around on the island, since the best beaches are not around the places of accommodation.
The most known and one of the best ones is the beach number 7. Its 10kms from the village number two and I wouldnt recommend to try to get there by bike. We have tried and mom almost died, since its quite hilly and the heat is horrible. The next day we have done it by scooter and it was great...
Another places "to see" is beach number 5. Its lower part, I would say 6 kms down from the village number 2 is amazing. I would say its the best place... The send is pure white and the sea changes color there in three different tones of blue... Absolutely stunning.
The food around the island can be cheap and good, cheap and horrible, extremely over prized and good or extremely over prized and horrible.
The best and quite cheap is La meridian on the right side while going down towards beach number 5 and close to the Wild orchid resort. They have plenty of choice and really tasty stuff for reasonable price, actually quite cheap. The bad thing is that sometimes it takes quite a lot of time.
On the other side, the restaurant in wild orchid is quite good, but not as good as what they charge for.
You can get cheap beer in the Symphony something bar, which is quite fancy, but as I have said, cheap. Nice seating and atmosphere.
The number one thing "to do" is the snorkeling on close to the light house on the way to elephant beach and then close to the elephant beach... It costs 3000 INR for couple and it is scheduled by the wild orchid. They will borrow you the needed gear and your own boat with a person sailing it. ;)
It is a 4 hour trip and it is absolutely stunning and breathtaking, sometimes literally :D :D :D
The coral and the extremely colorful fish are delight for the eyes.
One recommendation. You will get around a lot of seashells end coral that will be either bring up by the sea or that you will find in the sea. There is no point on taking those with you!!!
On your way back home your luggage has to go through the xray and they are looking for the shells more then for bombs. We had to open our suitcases and fight our lives just to leave the bags with shells there.
Andamans, if you can, go there, but dont forget, it is still India, so you will come around trash on the streets and sometimes not pleasant views around. But overall amazing time... :)
hope this satisfies you Elena.. ;)
Btw. the price of the fly ticket is around 14.000 INR from Chennai to Pt. Blair and back, and the flight from Delhi to Chennai and back around 10.000 INR... It is, next to the other costs, the biggest amount by a lot...
The Andaman islands are islands in the bay of Bengal, considerably closer to Thailand then to India, but they are still under Indian influence. They were washed of during the 2004 boxing tsunami... Many people have died there, but the islands and the people have moved on and the tourism is back to the peak again.
We have spent amazing 5 days there, flying from Chennai, but there can be also other rout from Kolkata. The only entering airport is in the capital Port Blair. Non Indian citizens have to fill up a form on the arrival, which will give you a pass to move around Andamans. You have to get one (it is free of charge and takes only about 10 minutes) since few places in Andaman and Nicobar islands are very protected and nobody can enter there. This paper is allowing you to stay in many places around the Andamans and you better keep it with you all the time.
When we reached Pt. Blair, we made it straight to the jetty for the boat to Neil islands. Since Port Blair really dont have much to offer and the closest nice beach is around 10kms out from the city. So we have taken the governmental boat to Neil island, which took around 2 and half hours and cost 250 ruppies per person. What a coincidence that we have met another Czech family, travelling to Neil island also!!! :D :D
When it comes to Neil island and accommodation you have plenty options to choose from. I have made a booking for us before we even came through booking.com and it really was a good choice. The resort was called Symphony something, but it was really nice type of resort with restaurant and sometimes helpful staff. ;) (The only problem was that the hot water wasnt running, but it was constantly over 30 degrees Celsius so a little bit of cold water didnt hurt).
The other option is to look for the accommodation when you get to the islands. HERE BE CAREFUL with the rickshaw drivers. They are waiting for the Goras (white people) when they get out of the boat and offer cheap rides to places offering accommodation, but if they bring you, you will have to pay extra commission to the rickshaw driver, so always know where you want to go (find out on internet) and say that you already have a booking.. ;)
The best way to travel around the Neil islands is by a scooter. To rent the scooter it costs only 250 per day (without petrol that you have to buy in the village), but you have to pay deposit of 1000 INR and then they will give you the rest when you return the scooter. You rent it for 24 hours (day).
You have to travel around on the island, since the best beaches are not around the places of accommodation.
The most known and one of the best ones is the beach number 7. Its 10kms from the village number two and I wouldnt recommend to try to get there by bike. We have tried and mom almost died, since its quite hilly and the heat is horrible. The next day we have done it by scooter and it was great...
Another places "to see" is beach number 5. Its lower part, I would say 6 kms down from the village number 2 is amazing. I would say its the best place... The send is pure white and the sea changes color there in three different tones of blue... Absolutely stunning.
The food around the island can be cheap and good, cheap and horrible, extremely over prized and good or extremely over prized and horrible.
The best and quite cheap is La meridian on the right side while going down towards beach number 5 and close to the Wild orchid resort. They have plenty of choice and really tasty stuff for reasonable price, actually quite cheap. The bad thing is that sometimes it takes quite a lot of time.
On the other side, the restaurant in wild orchid is quite good, but not as good as what they charge for.
You can get cheap beer in the Symphony something bar, which is quite fancy, but as I have said, cheap. Nice seating and atmosphere.
The number one thing "to do" is the snorkeling on close to the light house on the way to elephant beach and then close to the elephant beach... It costs 3000 INR for couple and it is scheduled by the wild orchid. They will borrow you the needed gear and your own boat with a person sailing it. ;)
It is a 4 hour trip and it is absolutely stunning and breathtaking, sometimes literally :D :D :D
The coral and the extremely colorful fish are delight for the eyes.
One recommendation. You will get around a lot of seashells end coral that will be either bring up by the sea or that you will find in the sea. There is no point on taking those with you!!!
On your way back home your luggage has to go through the xray and they are looking for the shells more then for bombs. We had to open our suitcases and fight our lives just to leave the bags with shells there.
Andamans, if you can, go there, but dont forget, it is still India, so you will come around trash on the streets and sometimes not pleasant views around. But overall amazing time... :)
hope this satisfies you Elena.. ;)
Btw. the price of the fly ticket is around 14.000 INR from Chennai to Pt. Blair and back, and the flight from Delhi to Chennai and back around 10.000 INR... It is, next to the other costs, the biggest amount by a lot...
=))) thank you, my dear Petr!!!! Yes, I am quite satisfied, I'd say!!! =) but tell me one more thing - I have heard there are some untouched virgin islands...absolutely stunning, but it's hard to get there. Have you heard smth about it?
OdpovědětVymazatHi Peter, you seems pretty interesting & amazing guy...undoubtedly Andaman is heaven on earth ..The first thing about Islands is the sparkling turquoise water...so clean and clear...
OdpovědětVymazatI felt as if i am in a movie which such picturesque shots, wild birds, coconut palms and the gentle breeze blowing into your face.One of the famous surfing and scuba diving spots in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands would be the Havelock Islands. It has vast sandy beaches, plenty of reefs, and you would be very lucky to visit ship wrecks as well...this was one of my unforgettable trip with my hubby..