Day  8 : 12^th June, 2019

Started by 5 am in Kishanganj and proceeded towards Kolkatta. Heavy traffic in Dalkola . Via Rainganj, Itahar, Malda, Sujapur ,Palassey(had lunch) and reached Kolkatta. Stayed at a hotel in Salt lake city.

Total Kms. Travelled :491 Kms.

Total Toll paid : Rs. 250.00

Day  9 : 13^th June, 2019

Planned for local tour. Took Ola taxi and visited Kalighat Kali temple. It is one of the Skathi peeth. Beware of money grabbing pujaries there.  We were not allowed to pray near kali. You pay them you can stand there. Or else you need to move. But somehow Kali gave us very good Dharshan and we came out happily.

Then we went to Victoria Memorial Hall. Huge palace buit in memory of Queen Victoria with white marble . Very beautiful. The guide explained us everything we need to know. Gave us a clear picture of East India Company . The photos and paintings showed how Kolkatta was years ago.

Had a wonderful time enjoying it . Outside atmosphere was so humid that we sweat a lot. Came to a hotel had lunch and went to see Howrah Bridge. One marvel it is. From Howrah took a Ferry across Hoogly river to Kolkata Millennium park. Spent some time and then went to New Market. Not much to purchase . Took a cab to Joka had dinner and stayed in a hotel there for the night.

Total Kms. Travelled :Not much as we hired a taxi (73 Kms)

Total Toll paid :Nil

Day 7 : 11^th June, 2019

As per plan decided to start by 7 am . Had good sleep and morning tea at the resort. Decided to have breakfast somewhere outside we started our car. As the climate was good and had clear sky we decided to go to Tiger hills before we started downhill. Wow ! Kanchenjunga(world’s 3^rd highest mountain) view point – mesmerizing with snow covered mountains. Luckily had my binoculars and enjoyed the view with nice chill weather.

It was 9 am and decided to go downhill. Had breakfast at a restaurant on our way. Journey started and the view was excellent. We choose the other route to come down. As we wanted to visit Mahanand wild life Sanctuary near Siliguri we decided to travel via military base . But we missed the safari and travelled further north to view the Coronation Bridge. Had lunch in a hotel. We saw the Sevoke military base  and the coronation bridge. It is an Engineering marvel. The Coronation Bridge, also known as the Sevoke Bridge, in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India, spans across the Teesta River, connecting the districts of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri. National Highway 31 runs across it. Since it was not possible to obtain support from the Teesta river bed due to the depth and current of water, the entire bridge was supported by a fixed arch, which had its two ends fixed on rock layers on either side of the river.

After enjoying the view and walking across the bridge we started our journey back to Siliguri and to Malda. We had to take a slight detour as there was heavy traffic and came into Bihar state. Decided to take a break in Kishanganj. Were able to see the villages and the amount of hard work they put into farming. They were working late night to pack and load the corn in the truck.

Got a good hotel in Kishanganj and took a family room . Had dinner in their restarant and took good rest.

Total Kms. Travelled :200 Kms

Total Toll paid :Nil

Day 2: 6^th June, 2019

We wanted to start early so that we can reach Puri by night. We started by 5 am . Had a nice tea in Tea Time in Rajamudry. We took a slight detour in Visakapatnam  to see the port . Beautiful city with hills on all sides. Enjoyed the view very much. Via Srikakulam entered into the next state, Odissa.

Beautiful state with greenery everywhere. We had tea in a small tea stall. Had some discussion(with my broken Hindi and with the help of Google translate) about Cyclone Fani. The boy said you will see along your route to Puri. Via Chhatrapur, Chilika lake we took the Jananathan road towards Puri. Alas! a road with lots of restrictions. We had to drive through lots of markets, speed breakers, villages etc., But got a real feel of Odissa. Locals were very friendly . We had to cross check with them to confirm the route here and there. As the boy said we could see the devastation of Cyclone Fani along our route. Most of the trees were uprooted and houses were roofless. It has hit the coastal town on 5^th May. Even after a month normal life has not been restored. No electricity along route and restoration works were still going on. We reached Puri by around 6 pm . Booked a OYO room in Puri. Was good. Had a good bath . Found out that the temple timings are up to 11pm. Along with my parents took an auto and went to the temple.

 

Beautiful temple. Had good Dharshan . There are few astonishing facts about Jagannath temple. The Sudarshan Cakra on the top of the temple look just the same from every direction. Jagannath is workshipped as Vishnu or Narayana or Krishna. Visit www.jagannath.nic.in to know more about the timings and dharshan. Mobile is not allowed inside the temple. There is a place where we can leave our mobile and slippers for a reasonable fare.

 Wooden Chariot is getting ready for the Car festival/Ratha Yatra/Gundicha Yatra(Every year New chariot is made). It happens in the month of June-July. Chk out the temple website for more details. Came out by 10.00 pm and had dinner in a nearby hotel . Went to room by auto and had a wonderful sleep. Quite a number of hotels are there in this temple town. Temple Devasthanam also has its own accommodations. If you plan well in advance you can book online in one of their Yatri Nivas.

Total Kms. Travelled : 636 Kms

Total Toll paid :Rs. 642.00

Hi all!

Today had an opportunity to visit Rathinagiri Murugan Temple. The darshan was very nice and divine. It is a Murugan Temple on a small hill close to Chennai Vellore highways before Vellore.

After the darshan we came down ans went to Hotel Alankar which is located near the entrance opposite to canara bank.

Nice and clean self service hotel. Clean environment with friendly staff ….

Cost of food was so economical and quality and taste was good and homely.

Coffee was so tasty…. I thanked the ladies for their excellent coffee…

Had a great satisfaction!!!!

Hi all!

I went on a trip to Guruvayur. Lord Krishna temple is famous there.

It is a grand ritual in Kerala that Elephants are brought to the temple and few poojas are done.

The elephants are kept in punnathur kota( 3 kms) from Guruvayur Temple.

Around 48 elephants are kept there. Beautiful location and the elephants are well maintained.

Don’t miss this place when u visit Guruvayur!!!!

Day 7 :

As I mentioned each day was an excitement. We planned to visit Ross and Smith Island which is a natural beauty. Two Island connected by sand during day time. Reached Ariel Jetty by 8 and got permission from forest reserve. Boarded a Jetty (Rs.625/- per person) went to Ross and Smith Island. Blue sea with white sand. Clean and beautiful. We were permitted to be there for 3 hrs. boat will wait and take us back.

Came back to Diglipur by 1 pm and started our journey back. We proceeded to Rangat and had our night stay there(Hawabill Nest). Had dinner and went to bed.

Day 8 :

Morning got up and went to Dani nala mangrove walkway. Spent an hour in the beach and returned back to room. Had breakfast and proceeded to Port Blair on the same route.

Came to Port Blair by 6 pm and checked in at a homestay close to the airport.

Day 9:

We boarded the flight by 8 am and reached home.

Lots of memories we carried with us. Nature has a lot to give us. We should respect it and enjoy and preserve for our future generations. The travel through the entire island is worth spending. Dense forest. Yet we can’t spot must animals. Must visit place !!!!

To summarize

Day 1: Port Blair (Cellular Jail, Chettam Saw Mill, Corbyn’s Cove Beach, Kala Pani Light and sound show) – Stay at PortBlair

Day 2 : Port Blair (Due to Ferry Cancellation) (Aquarium , Chidhiya Tapu Beach) – Stay at PortBlair

Day 3 : Havelock Island (Radha Nagar Beach, Vijay Nagar Beach) – Stay at Havelock Island

Day 4 :Scuba Diving in Havelock . Neil Island (Barathpur Beach, Coral Point)-  Stay at Neil Island

Day 5 : Neil Island (Sarathpur Beach, Lakshmanpur Beach II) Port Blair (Ross Island) – Stay at Port Blair

Day 6 : Barathtang ( Lime stone cave, Mud Volcano) – Stay at Diglipur

Day 7 : Ross and Smith Island – Stay at Rangath

Day 8 : Dani nala mangrove Walkaway – Stay at Port Blair

Day 9 : Return to Hometown

“ In every walk through Nature one receives far more than he seeks”

Day 6 :

Woke up by 3 and got ready to Diglipur, North Andaman. It is 300 kms away from Port Blair. We have organized a Xylo for the trip (to and fro). We need to travel via Bharatang and Rangat. It is a full day journey.

Journey takes about 2 hrs and 30 minutes from Port Blair to Middle Strait. The journey is in 2 phases – P.Blair to Jirkatang (40 kms, 1 hr 15 mins) and then Jirkatang to Baratang (49 kms, 1 hr 15 mins, no overtake zone through Jarwa Reserve Forest).

The vehicles have to leave in convoys. There are 4 convoys throughout the day from Jirkatang (6 am, 9 am, 12 pm, 2.30 pm). We left from the hotel at around 4am we reached there by 5.15 am. At Jirkatang check post there is a toilet/bathroom with all facilities. There are hotels with hot idly, poori, vada. We had our morning breakfast there. In the convoy 2 wheelers/bicycles are not allowed. Only 4 wheelers are allowed. The 1st vehicle in the convoy is always a bus, with 1-2 policemen.

This is the only road connecting to North Andaman to places like Kadamtala (28 kms from Baratang jetty), Rangat (71 kms from Baratang jetty), Mayabunder (141 kms from Baratang jetty), Diglipur (203 kms from Baratang jetty). Here it is interesting to see how buses/vehicles alight the jetty to reach either side of the middle strait. From Nilambur Jetty at middle strait ferry .

Middle Strait Jetty services are available for Baratang Island. Ferry takes about 15 minutes to reach Baratang from Nilambur Jetty.

This is one of the most exciting part of journey, where you will see the tribes (Jarwah). The Jarawa are a self sufficient hunter-gatherer people, who show no sign of wanting to join the mainstream. The Jarwans the local tribe of Andaman lives in the forests. Talking to them or giving eatables or taking photos is prohibited . We cannot get down from the vehicle too.

We reached Bharatang and too a ferry to visit lime stone caves. It is about half an hour journey by ferry and half an hour trekking for 1.2 kms through the forest.  Taking a walk with mother nature is so pleasant and calm. Caves were a really wonderful.

Returned back went to visit mud volcanoes. The organic matter deep inside earth releases gases and the mud is pushed out. It looks like cement

Continued our journey. Took a break in a small hotel to have lunch . reached Diglipur .( The roads were not really good) Reached The Turtle – our resort by 7 pm. Was a beautiful resort.

Had good rest after a long and trilling journey !

 

 

Day 5 :

Today wanted to see sunrise at Sarathpur Beach. Got up at 4 and went to the beach. By around 4.45 we had the beautiful rays coming up and enjoyed it. Spent some time walking in the beach .

From there straight we went to Lakshmanpur Beach II which is actually a sunset point. But since we could not go the previous day we went. Had a long walk in the beach.

Came back and had breakfast at the Gokul a small hotel. Idly and dosa was good. Had tea and returned to room. Got ready and kept the luggage at the drawing room in the hotel(checkout time 7.30 am) and went to Ram Nagar beach.  As we had vehicle with us it was very convenient to travel completely. Mangrove beach with coral beneath. Spent some time there and came back took the luggage and went to harbor.

Boarded ferry by 9.30 am and reached room by 11.30 a.m. We had booked the hotel close to the harbour itself. Kept luggage in the room went to Milan had lunch and went to Harbadin Jetty (close to Rajiv Sports complex) and went to Ross Island(Rs.380 per person to and fro).

It was the Island where the British had their colonies.  Now it is just a tourist spot and no one to allowed to stay there. We are allowed to spend nearly 1  hour there and should return back in the same boat.

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There were lots of animals like deer, rabbits, peacock. Deer were so close to us and we could touch them. Feeding animals is prohibited there.

Returned back to Port Blair and had a long walk up to the tricolor flag and sat there for some time.

Came to Milan had dinner and went to room

 

Day 4 :

Morning woke up by 5 am cab came by 5.45 am. I was very thrilled for the adventure. We went to Ocean Tribes (Rs.3500 per person). We changed the suit and they took us to elephant beach . The trainer gave excellent training and made us practice before getting under water. It was lot about hand signals, breathing techniques, how to manage pressure, what to do when water enters into the googles…I was terrified in the beginning then slowly got used to the breathing. I found nemo inside……so many varieties of fish…… different corals……both plant and animal………

Marine life is something which has so much to offer to us……

After 30 minutes of underwater experience and 15 feet below we were pulled up….. I couldn’t resist talking about it the whole day…….

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By 8 am we returned back to Ocean tribe had shower and returned back to the room.

Had breakfast and went to the harbor to  go to Neil Island. It was one hour journey from Havelock and we went by Green Ocean 2.

10.15 we boarded the ferry and by 11.15 we reached Neil Island. It is an Island with very less population and entire island is just 7 kms.

We checked into Hawabill Nest just 500 mts away from the harbour.  Checked in and walked to Barathpur Beach which was just ½ a km.

To my surprise blue water, clean white sand , shallow water and no waves. Was fantastic to float and enjoyed for nearly 2 hours.

Came back to room by 3.30 pm. Decided to go to see Nature bridge which is also said as coral point. (Lakshmanpur beach I) Checked on taxi and auto and found it was not economical. Just hired a two wheeler for Rs.500 per day and went to nature bridge.

The beach was full of corals and it was enormous. All the varities of corals we can see there. Lots of small fish in the small ponds along with the corals…….We saw lots of starfish. Sea cucumbers were in plenty.

Spend time till 5.30 pm. When it became little dark started and came to Neil Kendriya. Which is the local bazaar. Bought some fruits and ate some Bengali sweets. Decided to have dinner at some local mess . Enquired and found out Chand Restaurant close to Neil market in a small lane. They cook on demand. So we ordered fish, chapatti and panner gravy. They said to return after an hour. So went back to room had bath , relaxed for some time . Came back by 9 pm to Chand restaurant and dinner was ready. Hot and nice….. It was very good and quite economical also….. had a little chat with his daughters played with their dog and returned back to room.

“If you truely love nature you will feel beauty every where ! ”

Felt each and every second of my trip ……………………………………

Day 3 :

Hi everyone ! 

Morning expecting things to go on well got up and went for a morning walk ,had a cup of tea and vada in a small tea shop. Vada was hot and good . Went to room and checked if the ferry service is on and to my great relief yes! Our Ferry was by 12.45 pm.

Decided to visit The Samudrika Marine Museum, Dilanpur and started by 8.00 am from the room. Took an auto. The Samudrika Marine Museum aptly depicts resolve towards preserving the rich marine heritage and spreading awareness of the vast marine ecosystem and the bio wealth of those emerald blue islands.

It had wonderful collection of corals. A beautiful video on entire Andaman was shown and it was mind blowing. The marine museum explained the various tribes in Andaman and their culture. The major tribes are the Jarwan. Lots of information was displayed and spent few hours enjoying that.

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Came back to room by 10.30 got ready and took a cab and went to Haddo Jetty to board the ferry. We have booked in Green Ocean 2. After the check in we were allowed to board the ferry by 12.20 pm. It was very beautiful to see the ocean from the ferry and enjoyed it. As the ferry has a closed environment we could see the sea only through the glass panel. Enjoyed………………

The journey time is 2 hrs. By 2.20 pm we reached Havelock Islands. We got a taxi went to the hotel. We had booked in Dolpin resort which has  Vijaynagar Beach at its backyard. Checked in and went to Radha Nagar beach.

Wow ! it was a wonderful experience in the water. Caught up between the waves up and down. Had lots of fun . By 5 pm after sunset beach is closed.

Enjoyed till that and came back to room. Had a nice bath .had already booked dinner with the hotel restaurant . 7.30 pm had dinner and had a walk alongside the beach .

After 9 pm went to room and decided to go for scuba diving the next day morning. Each day starts with great excitement and ends with sweet memories !