Andaman Islands..a small guide

I had been to Andaman islands for a holiday recently. What comes to your mind as soon as you think of Andaman islands? Clean, tourist place, good beaches...? Clean beaches..true...good tourist location....umm..not really..

Location

Port Blair is a pakka Indian town...looked more like some place in Kerala to me...especially places like Aberdeen bazaar and Middle point...If you happen to visit water sports complex (which most likely one would), you could realise that it resembles the cantt area...proper asphalted roads, well maintained gardens etc.. Port Blair, as such, has nothing great to offer. You could shop at Sagarika emporium (Government run shop) at Middle Point, visit few islands...but do visit north bay island for snorkeling activities.

Havelock is an island which is a two and half hour journey from Port Blair...this is the perfect vacation place....beautiful beaches and high-end resorts that offer excellent facilities....

I heard that few such islands around Port blair house good resorts that offer a real good experience of beach vacation.

Stay

I happened to stay at "TSG Emerald view" at Port Blair and "Sea Shell resort" at Havelock. Like I mentioned earlier, Port Blair has nothing much to offer. It is these islands around Port Blair which you mu

st visit to have the ultimate Andaman experience.

If you happen to visit Havelock do stay at "Sea Shell", a superb resort with fully equipped bar and a restaurant that serves awesome food. I heard "bare foot" resort at radha nagar beach is another good place to stay.

Do check availability at these places...especially during the season (Oct-mar).

Food

• This is one thing that I cannot (DON'T WANT TO) compromise. For obvious reasons the most consumed diet here is sea food. There are limited options for veggies. For those who could eat only at "Pure Veg" restaurants there is a way (:) the only way) out - Kattabomman restaurant at Aberdeen bazaar. This is a small place that offers decent food. If "Veg & Non-Veg" tag doesn't matter, do visit "Annapurna" located almost at the end of the same bazaar - very good restaurant.
• If you stay in one of the resorts, only way is to eat what is on offer at your resort. At Havelock, I tasted some of the best north Indian sabzis ever. Non-Veg lovers can walk along the paths leading to one of the beaches...there are so many small "tapris" serving local seafood and these shops are packed during peak time. Veggies...it is best to carry maggi cuppa noodles...afterall it is food at the same restaurant becomes boring, no matter how tasty it may be.

Activities

Port Blair

• Carbyn's cove beach - Go in the afternoon, there would not be much crowd...dive into the water...
• Cellular Jail - Do visit this place to understand the struggle of Indian freedom fighters who were killed in groups. A well arranged Light and Sound show details the history of this place.
• Viper, Ross & Northbay islands - These are islands located close to Port Blair. Ross and Viper islands are historical places...you could avoid them as they offer much to see or learn. Northbay is a must visit..you could do snorkeling here and see coral reefs..one of the best experiences....do NOT miss it.
• Baratang island - Though I gave it miss...I heard it is worth a visit...however the timings take out the meaning of a vacation..you start at 4:30Am and return at 7Pm. During a vacation nothing is as important to me as deep sleep.. However if you are excited at the prospects of seeing tribes (real tribes of the community 'Jarwah')...do take this tour..

Havelock

• Radhanagar beach - Rated one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Go here...and dive in...you don't want to come out...
• Kalapaththar beach - Useless one...give it a miss..
• Elephant islands - Go here for another snorkeling experience...I heard it is worth it if you did not get to snorkel at Northe bay island.
• Hire a two wheeler - This IS what you want to do....hire a vehicle....drive around Havelock....visit different food stops...visit radhanagar innumerable times...go to local chai shop....awesome experience...we were fortunate to have heavy downpour while returning back from radha nagar beach...out of the world...

Shopping

• Wooden based hand-made items are available at Port Blair. These are relatively cheaper compared to any city..almost a steal...keep lots of space in your bag for these items..ideally buy these one the day of your departure...typically flights start after 10AM..so get you early and rush to the Sagarika emporium..
• Shell based arts are also famous here..but I found these quite out-dated...what one would see during 80s or 90s. Not a fancy thing anymore...but if you like these...again..you get it for a really low price..
• At havelock there is a particular shop - Anupam Eco World...DO GO HERE..this is located close to the market..items made out of coconut shell are sold here...you would not believe what you see...this is a very small hut..not like a super mart...but the workmanship...you would be dumbstuck...

This is the place to be....much better and cheaper than islands in malaysia...in our India...