Andaman - Part 1 - Port Blair : The Gateway to Pristine Islands
Port Blair is the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and a union territory of India. It is the largest town and serves as an entry point for all other islands. So your trip to Andaman officially starts from here. Havelock is the most popular island and attracts lot of tourists due to its turquoise sea and pristine beaches. While Neil Island is smaller in size but serves as an island offering a peaceful getaway. In my current blog, I will be covering places to visit in Port Blair.
To start my blog, I was smitten with this place while I was in the air. I just couldn't take my eyes off the window.
Mostly people see Port Blair as a transit point for island hopping to visit Havelock and Neil Islands. And Cellular Jail is the most popular spot often visited by tourists. But this city has lots to offer to quench every traveler’s thirst. The city will help you discover rich tribal culture, exploring shorelines, and shopping some shells or coral artifacts from the local market.
I had booked my Andaman holiday with a Women only tour group called WOW (Women On Wanderlust) and as always they had taken care of all the arrangements. During our stay in Port Blair, we were put up in "Resort Heritage MNR" property. Now let me take you through the list of places that should be in your Port Blair itinerary.
Cellular Jail
Cellular Jail is also called Kaala Pani. Jail can be explored in the day and you will get a guide who will take you inside the jail area and explain the various events that happened here by taking us to each critical area of the jail like the hanging room, punishment room, noted freedom fighter Veer Savarkar’s room and the clock tower from where you will get to see the 3 wings of the Jail. Veer Savarkar was sentenced to 50 years of imprisonment by British Government and moved to this jail. His room has been preserved well and it resonates the stories of his freedom struggle. As a mark of tribute to the great freedom fighter, Port Blair airport has been named as Veer Savarkar International Airport.
In the evening you can witness the light and sound show where the story of freedom struggle unfolds on the walls of the jail. Story has been beautifully depicted and portrayed which is so real that you can feel the life in jail live in front of your eyes. There is a very old tree in the jail premises and the story is recited by this tree on the various events that took place as part of freedom struggle here. Finally, the national anthem at the end of the show gives your Goosebumps, teary eyes with a strong gush of patriotism.
Flag point
This is the point where Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose hoisted the Indian flag for the first time in Indian soil on 30th December 1943. So proud to see the Indian flag fluttering gracefully here. You also get an amazing view of the islands nearby from this point. It is a good spot to sit here, relax soaking the fresh evening breeze.
Corbyn’s Cove
We reached here late in the evening. It was too crowded, and the water also was not clean to get into and soak our legs here. So we just spent some time here and headed back.
Ross Island
This island will give you a glimpse of the colonial era. You need to take a ferry to Ross Island from Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex.
The journey is very short of 15 minutes. One can explore the ancient ruins of colonial era here. You can either walk to explore the island or take a buggy at the nominal rate of Rs 550. Advantage of taking a buggy would be the driver will serve as guide and will tell what each ruin would represent during the British era. Finally he will drop the group at the last point of the Ross Island – light house. From this point you will need to take few steps down to reach the lighthouse.
Best part about this island is that you find spotted deers roaming freely around humans without any fear.
Upon return, we even saw Japanese Bunker at the Jetty which reminds us of the world war.
Mundapahar and Chidiya Tapu
Chidiya Tapu is famous for its stunning sunset views. So we headed to this place in the evening. Since there was time for sunset, we first went to Mundapahar beach but we had not intention to get into waters today. So we clicked few pictures and then headed to Chidiya Tapu for sunset.
Zonal Anthropological Museum
One can explore the unique culture of Andaman and Nicobar Islands with the wide variety of exhibits about the diverse native tribes of this region.
Entry fee is Rs. 20. Photography is not allowed inside the museum. But its worth the visit.
Aberdeen Watch Tower
This is one of the most famous historic landmark.
Naval Marine Museum (Samudrika)
This museum is a must visit and should be added to your Port Blair itinerary. Entry fee is Rs. 50.
This museum is maintained by Indian Navy and is divided into 5 sections each depicting the various elements of Andaman – History of Andaman, Shells, Marine life, Corals, Tribes of Andaman.
Room 1 was interesting where we got a sneak peak into Andaman’s history, plants, animals, tribal communities.
On the exterior side of the museum, you will find a skeleton of a blue whale that was washed ashore on Nicobar Islands. There are some equipment’s used by Indian Navy on display here too along with a model display of Nicobar hut.
Thus, Port Blair being a captivating destination has lots to offer to travelers, with a perfect blend of natural beauty, historical significance, and cultural diversity.
Andaman - Part 2 - Havelock Island : Paradise for Adventure Seekers
Andaman - Part 3 - Neil Island : Soak into the laid-back vibes of this island
Comments
Post a Comment