Port Blair: An enchanting trip

Notwithstanding the distance, the islands of the Andaman and Nicobar are worth the effort. And money. My friends often argue that a trip to Thailand / Singapore / KL ex Delhi costs as much as the Andamans. But, according to me, plan a trip to the Andamans and you will know how wrong the general perception is.

My visit to Post Blair last week wasnt the first one. During the last decade and half I have visited the city / area about half a dozen times. This time, however, I arrived in the thick of the monsoon. Only there werent any rains. Or wasnt enough. Till the 25^th of June, the weather Gods had eluded the pristine jungles and beaches of Andamans (most of the area, believe me still remains unexplored and therefore pristine). Reason for scanty rainfall: educated locals told me, global warming (yes, the word is very much here) and the lesser privileged said the wrath of Gods. Whatever the reason; I was the last one to put my finger on the options, having been used to much worse in my own native Delhi.

But, it made for a sad realization that for the want of adequate rainfall the only source of water (a dam near the city of Port Blair) had got depleted. So even the best of the hotels were relying on water tankers. Frankly, it wasnt a pleasant sight. Water, water everywhere and not a drop a drink the proverbial adage dampened the spirits. But only for a while. For, the very next day, as if to answer for all the people's woes, now including me, the clouds burst into an incessant rain. And it pounded the mountains, seas and the infrastructure with all its might. I considered myself lucky to be there with the locals to rejoice. The beady strings of heavier than usual raindrops were so intense that even getting out of the car and stepping under the slanted umbrella of the waiting friend was enough to drenchme totally.

Places to visit: I reckon the following are the best, though there are more options.

Cellular jail: situated right in the center of town overlooking the bay is the cellular jail, where the Indian inmates doing the Kala Pani were housed before 1947. At the jail they do several light and sound shows in the evening, both in English and Hindi. The shows are good, but are too stereotypedin their presentation and context.

Ross Island: A small island that can be reached by a boat in under an hour. This is the place the white jail staff used to stay. It also has a nice and small museum besides dilapidated quarters and also a swimming pool that was used then. The place has an intriguing feel attached to it. I would say, it is a must watch. Just to stand there and imagine the lives of those people who were once so powerful gets under your skin. It you like being associated with history, like me, you will like the creepy feeling that I am sure will stay with you for several days, maybe weeks.

Jolly Bouys Island: Can be reached in a transparent bottom boat from Post Blair. The ride offers a good spectacle in ideal conditions.

Aberdeen Bazaar: Offers what most Indian bazaars do. It is a good place to pick up handcrafted souvenirs (made of either shell or bamboo) to show off on return. I picked up for my girls, two doll key chains and two toys (tortoise and bird) made of wood. They screamed with joy when I returned and I guess that was a lot to get in return for less then two hundred rupees.

Corbyns Cove: Used to house the best of watering holes all around it like a huge necklace sitting decked up for the waiting party to begin. It still has many, but most have wound up and left after the Tsunami changed the topography of the place. But still, it the right place to wrap up a, well, err... a lazy day. I spent my evening savouring the muddled Mojito with some fiery prawns made with local herbs and particularly nasty slit cayenne pods.