I don’t remember how we started planning our travel to Andaman & Nicobar Islands. All I know is that we wanted to get out of Bangalore and travel to a new place during mid-December. My mind was a bit inclined towards Sri Lanka. VT suggested Andamans and I remember agreeing. Then I got swamped with work. He kept on suggesting options and I had no time to research, plan or even discuss. My response to all his suggestions and questions was, “You plan and decide.” Taking a leave was not an issue but I wanted to finish my work before leaving so I was completely caught unaware on this vacation.
Andaman surprised me on all fronts. The islands tucked away in the far southeast is India’s jewel. An island that thrives on tourism yet so far away that the beaches shine with the glow of the Sun. The mountain peaks that show you the world around. A part of India that is a perfect melting pot of cultures. To my surprise, a place where Hindi is the first language and also the first medium of education in schools. Not just that, every other person you meet knows a minimum of three languages.
Our five nights and six days in Andamans were the best of this year – etched in our memory, hearts, and my phone camera. Each day was a new place, a part of the Sea and a walk into the unknown. VT and I made the most our time. We stretched our itinerary, watched the Sun set and even roamed around a few villages of Havelock on a bike.
My adventures at Andaman began with a few facts that you may or may not know.
- Andaman & Nicobar islands are a Union Territory of India and it is a group of 572 islands out of which only 36 are inhabited.
- The name Andaman is derived from the name of Hindu God, Hanuman who was known to the Malays as Handuman.
- The capital of the territory is Port Blair. Port Blair becomes the base when you reach the islands.
- These islands are located at the junction of Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea.
- These islands are closer to Myanmar, Indonesia and Thailand than to the Indian mainland making it the cause of some smuggling and illegal activities.
- There are no beggars in Andamans. It proved to be true except one who I spotted at Bambooflat.
- We learnt that the Nicobar Islands are not open to tourists but only to defense officials. No permit are issued for any commercial interests including tourism.
- 92% of the island is covered with forest.
- Andamans are popular for adventure water sports like scuba diving, snorkeling, seabed walk, jet ski, and banana boats.
VT and I also felt that Andamans is the honeymoon capital of India. But that more an observation.
Did I forget another fun fact?
The Sun rises around 5:30 AM and sets at 5 PM so if you step out at 6, it’s pitch dark with stars in the sky.
Andamans is a must visit place and another gorgeous proof of our incredible India. I am already thinking of visiting it one more time and covering the places that we missed on this travel.
This is the first post from my Andaman travel this year. Watch this space for more.
happiness and food 
Fabulous!
I’ll be asking V to share some of his plans 😄
We’ve been trying to go for ages
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Please plan and now both V and P can help 🙂
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Andaman is high on my list. I just hope that mass tourism doesn’t kill this place as it has in many other tourist circuits in India. This is more so because it has a fragile Eco-system.
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I know what you mean. The distance is a downer so I feel it will never be a mass tourism place but we never know.
The place is a photographer’s delight.
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Do visit Havalock island next time …. It’s beautiful !!
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We did. More to come 🙂
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Andaman & Nicobar Islands were never on my wish list . But I am glad I could make it with a bit of shopping here & there !
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Really? What kind of shopping?
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Hey Parul, did you change the design of your site? or Am I visiting after a long time. I see more content on white background. Pleasing to eyes. Good to know about Andaman. I should plan it in future.
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Omg! The layout was changed in 2015. I think you have visited too but it could be network or something else. Glad you liked it.
Yes, plan it. The place is beautiful.
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Andaman has been on our travel list for a long time. I have heard about it so much that the will to visit has only grown stronger. Hopefully, once M grows up a bit, we’ll make that trip. Glad to know you had a great time. Would love to see more pictures and more posts about this trip 🙂
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It’s beautiful Naba and so many people also came with little kids of M’s age.
Yes, many more posts will follow.
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Oh yay. Perfect end to 2016, isn’t it? We have been planning since ages too. And like you, I suggested Sri Lanka to P. Blah. And we haven’t gone anywhere. 😛
Waiting for your posts!!
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I thought we would end up not going anywhere but this happened. I loved the place and I wish you get to visit too.
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Sounds like a lovely vacation, and what a gorgeous photo! So glad you had a chance to enjoy the trip. Happy New Year and all the best for 2017!
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Thank you, Laurel. You too have a great 2017.
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It is sounding quite tempting with your description. More picts needed.
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Ha ha! Yes, coming up 🙂
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wow I can totally imagine how incredible this trip must have been. Waiting to see some more pictures 😀 The sunrise and sunset time is similar to my hometown’s in Assam 😀
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How much I loved getting up early and hitting the bed soon 🙂 It was fun. Thank you, Raji.
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I loved the bag 😉 It is great to know that you had a fabulous time in Andaman, Parul. In pictures, the place is so surreal that it takes your breath away. I wish I could visit it sometime soon. I am waiting for more posts on Andaman. Wishing you a great 2017 too!
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Thank you, Maliny. The bag is old and has seen many places with me 🙂
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Count me in the list of people you have to help 😀
Eagerly waiting for more posts on this. Totally looking forward!
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Thank you. Yes, there will be more. It was such a lovely place that I can go again 🙂
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Just catching up on your older posts, Parul. I love travelogues and I was hooked to the fun facts you shared. I’m not basically a beach person but I’ve been, for some reasons, fascinated with Andaman. Now, your lovely write up wants me to explore this beautiful place.
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Great post. Wonderful knowledge for people like me who haven’t been to this paradise!
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Thank you, Shubham 🙂
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What a beautiful place! I’ll have to check out this place!
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