Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Post Corona Travel

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This was our first major trip since the coronavirus, we travelled to Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

It’s been about one & a half years since we boarded an airplane, because of Covid restrictions earlier and a coronavirus scare until recently. Anyway, we were still skittish. Being fully vaccinated and taking all the reasonable precautions we feel safe or at least as “safe” as anyone can these days. Our flight to Port Blair was hopping, Lucknow to Delhi, to Kolkata and then Port Blair.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a UT of India consisting of 572 islands, of which only 37 are inhabited. The Andaman Nicobar Islands have a history of organised European colonisation.  First of all, Denmark colonised, rechristening the islands New Denmark, and later Frederick’s Islands. Austria also attempted to establish a colony on them renaming the territory  Theresa’s  Islands. 

Italy too made an attempt at buying the Nicobar from Denmark. However, Denmark finally sold the rights to Britain in 1868 and Andaman and Nicobar Islands became a part of British India. After India’s independence, the islands became a part of India in 1950 and a Union Territory in 1956. 

Port Blair is essentially a historic town of great charms. with a native population of just about 1,14,000 spread over all of 41 sq km.  The small island bears special significance in India’s struggle for independence from British rule. The infamous “Kala-Pani” or Cellular jail was built in 1896-1906, a lot of freedom fighters and political prisoners were incarcerated in the dreaded  Cellular jail. The jail was declared a national memorial in 1979. 

We also explored Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep (Ross Island) and Coral Island, both of which are a day’s excursion from Port Blair. 

A ferry ride from Port Blair took us to Swaraj Dweep (Havelock) which is the most exciting place to explore.

 With luxuriant forests, forever coastlines and picture-perfect beaches, Swaray Dweep has cover girl looks. You’ll also discover a dizzying array of water sports and activities available only here in Asia. 

Another gorgeous island is Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island). The natural coral bridge is an amazing creation of mother nature, but reaching there in the afternoon is extremely inconvenient because the treacherous track and humidity make it really difficult. Other beaches have nothing much to write home about.

We were Keen on exploring off-beat places, too. Our excursion took us to Long Island which is covered in thick jungle and is home to some of the rare animal and bird species.

There’s more to Andaman and Nicobar Islands than gorgeous beaches, water activities and touristy knick-knack. The islands are home to 5 native negrito tribes, Jarawa, Sentinelese, Shompen, Onge and Andamanese.

The route to Baratang Island from Port Blair passes through Jarawa Forest Reserve, and visitors might get a chance to see the aborigines, however, photography is strictly prohibited and vehicles have to move in a convoy under police supervision.

Lately, the Jarawa tribe is reportedly not hostile to modern civilisation but Sentinelese vehemently resist external contact and reportedly killed an Americal guy in 2018. Sentinel Island is out-of-reach for travellers. 

At present government has not allowed travel to Nicobar, you have to contend with what can be explored in your travels to this enigmatic archipelago. 

Shared by Ruchi Jain, an avid traveller

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