Port Blair - Gateway to the Amazing Andamans
Port Blair is the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar islands and is the only airport catering to the islands. Hence it is the first place you will land when you are visiting the islands and hence the title of this article. It is a relatively small city if you compare to other major metropolitical centers but if big enough for the islands. As you would expect, this is the seat of administration for the region. You would find most of the utilities that one may need. In this article, we talk more about our experience from the trip to Andamans and what Port Blair has to offer to its visitors.
Travel and Transport
Port Blair has an international airport and gets a decent number of flights. It is a small yet functional airport that is shared with the military. Most flights to this airport are from Kolkata or Chennai and hence if you coming from anywhere outside the eastern part of the country, you would take a hop-on flight. Most major airlines have connectivity to Port Blair and hence you have a good amount of options.
For traveling further to the islands, you have to take ferries. There are options to pick from private and governmental ferries. Private ferries operate from the Haddo Jetty while the governmental ones dock at the Phoenix Bay Jetty. Both the jetties have required infrastructure to support tourists but do not expect anything too plush at either of these.
For local transport, there are city buses that run through the town but are limited in frequency. Autos are available and can be flagged roadside or arranged through your hotel. Also, you can book private cabs through hotel or travel agents for local excursions.
Things to Explore in Port Blair
Port Blair is more about history than natural beauty. No doubt that the entire Andamans offers great natural beauty but Port Blair has a rich heritage because of various reasons, especially during the British occupation of India. Below are some of the sites that you may want to include in your itinerary.
Cellular Jail and Light Show
Cellular jail is the flagship site for Port Blair and the most popular tourist site. These are memoirs of the hardships endured by the Britishers on Indian freedom fighters. These were the erstwhile prison where most dreaded freedom fighters were shipped to from mainland India. These were established on an island to ensure running is technically not possible (swimming may be!). Further, the structure and cells were designed to make sure that escape from the cells themselves wasn't possible. The bolts were so placed that even if an inmate had the key, it was practically impossible to open it up.
There is a light and sound show that happens towards the evening which showcases the history in an interesting way. It is closed as of now but we have heard that it is a popular item when available.
Ross Island and Light Show
Ross Island carries forward your deep dive into history. This is the smallest island of the entire bunch and was the residential area for the English officers who worked at the Cellular Jail. You would witness the ruins of their facilities preserved there. The royal lifestyle is depicted in facts like bringing and settling deers to fulfill the hunting temptations. After the Britishers left, these deers have now found a safe haven. You can play and spend time with these innocent beings. There is a golf cart that could take you uphill which offers wonderful views of the ocean. The island is now restricted for night access and all the staff maintaining the island return to Port Blair in the evening.
There also is another light show that happens on Ross Island for which special ferries take you from Port Blair at around 3:30 PM and bring you back after the show (at around 7-7:30 PM). For regular day trips, you get a ferry from the jetty close to Cellular Jail and they allow you to spend around an hour on the island.
Corbyn Cove Beach
This is a good beach to unwind in the evening. If you are visiting on your first day of the trip, you will enjoy it more compared to your last day. This is simply because, by your last day, you will have seen many nicer beaches on other islands. It is a simple beach that has two broad sections. One section is for you to unwind or spend on the sand. The other section allows you some water sports - especially paragliding and ski-jets. We would recommend just keeping it as a pit stop or a break and not spending too much time here unless you have a lot to kill. There are shacks around here where you could get some snacks to keep the energy going.
Chidiya Tapu
This is the sunset point and is located at the southernmost tip of the island. If you are staying somewhere in the main city, be prepared for a longer drive, especially during rush hour. While it is scenic and a good point, if you are stretched for time, this is something you could skip. Especially if you are traveling to other islands, you have much better sunsets in store for you (in much more peace).
Museums
There are many museums in the town and some of them are worth trying if you have the time. We recommend trying the Samudrika Museum which takes you through the oceanic environment and marine life. This museum also includes a small aquarium that houses various collections of fishes and corals and shells. On the outside, you will also come across a skeleton of a blue whale that was washed ashore on the Nicobars Besides this, there is also a tiny zoo that shelters saltwater crocodiles in Haddo of Andaman Island. It is managed by the Indian Navy and is a good quick stop.
Other Recommendations and Suggestions for Port Blair
Water Sports at North Bay Islands - North Bay Islands are located close to Port Blair and are the sought-for destination for water sport enthusiasts. It is similar to Elephanta Beach at Havelock Islands.
Timings For Monuments - Most monuments and boat rides (Ross Island etc.) have specific time restrictions so you may want to keep a track of them. You may want to plan your itinerary so that you can avoid rushing from one point to another.
Accommodation Suggestion - The governmental resort named Megapode was an underdog which was pleasantly surprising. You may want to give it a try especially its Nicobari Cottages if you stay in above-average starred hotels. Read our review on Tripadvisor.
For an overview of the entire trip, visit - Andaman And Nicobar Islands – A Glimpse Into The Entire Trip
Post a Comment