Happy Birthday to me! Growing up sucks and I wish we had all known that when we were tiny tots because back then, all I wanted was to be an adult. To be able to live on my own. do things by my own rule or no rules at all and go places where I wanted to. I'm sure we all wanted that, didn't we? With all the pros that being an adult can bring, I can't ignore the cons especially on the day I'm blowing candles off my cake, one more than last year.

So I'm at Port Blair on my 24th birthday and the first thing I'm told is we are going on a Semi-Submarine ride. Excited as I was already, we left for the docks immediately after breakfast. Life starts early at this end of the world.

Honestly it was a huge disappointment because throughout our 45 minutes ride, we saw nothing. A few fishes here and there and a very blurred vision of the corals that made our fellow passengers run around with joy. All in all, I don't recommend semi-submarines. :)

Our next stop was the Aquarium, a museum of Corals and fishes as the name sounds. I'm not a fan of museums but when in Port Blair, you do like the tourists do. :D 

After lunch, it was time to board our ferry to Havelock. In-case you plan a trip to Andaman, make sure you've booked your ferry tickets well in advance. They are always busy and an even better option would be book a Make my Trip package like we did. It's easy breezy because then you have a guide waiting for you with a cab on each island you hop!

Worries were forgotten and troubles put aside.With the sound of the trees waving in the night wind serving as a sweet lullaby, we were sound asleep in no time. 

Did I mention that I fell in love with Havelock. It was a love at first sight and I couldn't help it. Trust me when I say this, if there is one place I'd wanna run away to and I lack a passport (which I do, for now) you'd find me on this island, probably reading a book while swinging on a hammock by the beach or cycling through paths bordered by trees on both sides. For those two days that I was there, Havelock was my safe haven.

Read our previous post "Destination Port Blair"  to know how the vacation started. 
We had a lot of activities the next day. Blog post on Havelock Part 2 coming soon.
Thanks for reading. :)
xoxo

Twisted Tulle Travels!

The alarm went off at 2:30 am and I had to literally drag myself out of the bed. In about an hour, I was headed for the airport. Early morning flights aren't my thing. Or at-least that was the idea until I was proved wrong with this view.
"To be able to witness the transition of the sky from dawn to morning is a royal treat to the eye."

The first thing you notice when you reach Port Blair is the lush green surrounding and the beautiful blue sky. The Sea shows up later. Nature suddenly becomes your lover and life begins to move at a slower pace. The humdrum affairs of the city is soon forgotten.
Port Blair seemed like any other small town, even felt like Darjeeling at some point but the view of Bay of Bengal on one side and the population of friendly locals is what sets this city apart.

Post rest and refreshments, we took a cab to the Cellular Jail, a colonial prison built around 1906 which witnessed the tortures inflicted upon our freedom fighters by the British. With around 693 cells, 7 wings and none of the cells facing each other, this building is a masterpiece on it's own.

A quick tour around this building and you will learn how mercilessly our freedom fighters were treated here and the punishments they had to endure. Their daily chores included spinning yarn out of Coconut and extracting oil from the same and otheres. Exiled to an island which was then known as "Kala-pani", where the word Kala is derived from the Sanskrit word, Kal which means death. It was believed that nobody every returned once they were transferred to this island. Life definitely wasn't easy for them. 

A little more knowledge about the prison and we realized that our freedom came at a heavy price.
Veer Sarvakar was one of the most noted freedom fighters to be imprisoned here. His cell holds utensils that were used by him and a picture of him hangs on the wall. 

The airport of Port Blair is named after him and he is known even today for his bravery.

We were taken to Corbyn's Cove Beach next. Filled with tourists and locals, this beach is one of the busiest beaches in Port Blair. Not the finest beach but a very pretty one nonetheless. Engulfed with tall coconut trees and the wet sand, the sound of the waves and the view of the horizon around sunset is enough to calm your mind and help you relax.

After a 10 minute Speed Boat ride, which was fast and furious bumpy, we headed back to the Cellular Jail for the Light and Sound show. It was only 6:30ish but it was pitch black already.

The light and sound show unfolds the true story of the Cellular Jail. Everything is covered,from how the prison came into being to the methods of the Jailer and British Officers and also the cries of prisoners. It is overwhelming, the whole truth- the idea of imprisonment, the suffering and the ultimate predicted deaths.

Just like that our first day at Port Blair had come to an end. Tired from our journey, we retired to our rooms after a hearty dinner at the hotel itself.
The next day had surprises in store for us and it was also my birthday. :)

x Post on 'Havelock- A Safe Haven' coming next. Stay tuned!