Introduction
Port Blair, the capital of the 350 odd islands that comprise the Andaman and
Nicobar group, has one major landmark-the Cellular Jail. A pipal tree, just
outside this seven-winged national monument, can tell tales of the torture of
India's freedom fighters within its walls. In 1897, the British, who then ruled
India, laid the foundation stone of the building. It had 698 solitary cells
to ensure that there was no contact between prisoners. Only three of the seven
octopus-like wings remain and as you walk down their corridor, you can still
hear the echoes of patriots like Veer Savarker or the booming voice of jailor
Berry Bellowing.
The records at the site museum and a 'death house' bring tears to one's eyes.
The islands were called 'Kalapani'-islands with 'black water', water tinted
with the blood of those who would have India free.
A visit to the islands is an emotional one. As the sun rises from Bay of Bengal,
the ethereal beauty of unadulterated nature engulfs one. One can spend hours
just staring at the clear blue waters with not a sound to disturb you, except
the twittering of a song bird or the footsteps of a wild cat or a deer.
The Andamans are a paradise for ecologists and ornithologists with 242 species
of birds, 46 species of mammals and 78 species of reptiles-some of them rare
and almost extinct. These live in dense rain forests surrounded by mangroves
that seem to become part of the sea. You do not have to go far out to see brilliant
tropical flowers, including the orchid, and an array of butterflies.
History
In 1789, Captain Archibald Blair of the Bombay Marine (the East India Company's
Navy), acting under orders from the government of Bengal, established a penal
colony on this site, naming it Port Cornwallis in honor of his commander, Admiral
Sir William Cornwallis. In 1858, the first European settlement on the islands
was established near the site of the old penal colony, and was named Port Blair
in honor of Captain Blair.
The islands are home for some of the oldest tribal communities in the world.
Six recognized tribes inhabit the several islands. The Onges, who, in more than
30 years, have progressed much-from living in the nude and visiting the civilized
world to ask for chai and bidi to wearing trousers and lungis and living in
disciplined wooden huts built for them in Dugong Creek. They have even learnt
to 'perform' a tribal dance on request.
In the late sixties, the first few 'Jarawas' strayed into Port Blair like creatures
from another world. They were sent back laden with gifts of food, clothing and
colorful trinkets. Nothing more was heard of them and it was believed that the
others had killed the five who had ventured into 'hostile' territory. They are
still unfriendly. The Sentinels from North Sentinel Island are downright hostile.
The Nicobarese and the Shompens are the most 'modern' of these primitive islanders.
The others still prefer life in the raw.
Prime Attractions of Port Blair
Islands of Port Blair
Viper Island : The Viper Island stands as a witness to the
grim sufferings that the freedom fighters of our country had to undergo during
the British Rule. The British used to keep dangerous prisoners who resorted
to hunger strikes and non-cooperation, at a jail built in the Island.
Ross Island : Located at the mouth of port Blair harbour, Ross
Island was the seat of Imperial Administration till the Islands fell into the
hands of Japanese in 1942. The Island is having old building and monuments of
immense historical and archaeological value.
Beaches of Port Blair
Corbyn's Cove : This is a small picturesque sea beach 7kms
away from Port Blair. a drive to the Beach Along South Point Road reminds a
tourist of Goa or Kovalam in Kerala. Corbyns Cove is a palm fringed beach and
an ideal place for swimming.
Chatham : The Chatham Saw Mill, one of the oldest and largest
mills in Asia, is built on a tiny island connected to Port Blair by a bridge.
It is a storehouse of timber like Padauk, Gurjan, Marble, Satin Wood, etc. This
island has the second largest wharf of these islands, where island mainland
ships can berth. The island is near the Haddo wharf, which is the largest wharf
in the islands.
Parks in Port Blair
Gandhi Park : This beautiful park near to the Raj Niwas has
facilities like amusement rides, safe water sports, nature trail around the
lake, garden, restaurant and historic remains like Japanese temple as well as
a bunker.
Marina Park : This park, right on the seashore near to the
water sports complex, has amusements rides, children's traffic park and toy
train. A suitable place for spending the evenings.
Museums of Port Blair
Anthropological Museum : This museum at Phoenix Bay depicts
the life of the Paleolithic Islanders. It also houses the models of the aborigines
and their tools.
Samudrika (Naval Marine Museum) : Situated opposite to Andaman
teal house, Delanipur this museum is meant to create awareness on various aspects
of oceanic environment. A good collection of shells, corals and a few species
of colourful fishes found in these islands are on display.
Zoo / Aquarium in Port Blair
Aquarium (Fisheries Museums) : Situated near Andaman water
sports complex, it exhibits species of marine life peculiar to the islands and
found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean and the Bay of Bengal.
Mini Zoo : Situated at Haddo (Delanipur - Chatham Road), it
houses some of the rare species of endemic birds and animals found n these islands.
Other Attractions of Port Blair
Cellular Jail : Known as the Bastille of India and relic of
bygone years, Andaman is know mostly from Cellular Jail in which many freedom
fighters were incarcerated during the British rule. The jail had 600 cells and
was built during 1896 - 1906 with bricks transported from Burma.
Excursions of Port Blair
Cities
Chidiya Tapu (25-km. By Road From Port Blair) : Chidiya Tapu
is the southern most tip of South Andaman Island. The lush green mangroves,
forest cover with numerous chirping birds and the sylvan sands and Munda Pahar
beaches make it an ideal picnic site. One can witness breathtaking sunsets over
here.
Mount Harriet(55-km, By Road 55-km/15-km By Ferry And Road From Port
Blair) : One can take a ferry service from the Chatnam wharf to Bamboo
flat. From there one can take a vehicle to Mt Harriet, which is 365m. A natural
trail takes to the top and one can have a comfortable stay at the forest guesthouse.
Towards the north is the Mt. Harriet National Park and Madhuban. One can watch
the elephants being trained to carry logs over here.
Wildlife
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Wandoor (29-km. By Road From Port
Blair) : This park is made up of open sea, creeks and fifteen small
and large islands covering an area of 281.5-sq-kms. One can see mangrove forests
along the creeks and magnificent tropical forests, beautiful beaches, fascinating
coral reefs and schools of ornamental fish and marine life. Wandoor is the base
to visit the islands in this park like Jolly Buoy and redskin. Glass bottom
boats help to take a closer look at the coral colonies. A perfect place for
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling.
Island Destinations
Rangat (170-km. By road And 90-km. By Sea) : One can enjoy
the quiet village life and solitude of virgin nature here. You can also breathe
unpolluted air, a rare commodity for the city dweller. Cutbert bay beach is
a turtle nesting ground. One can view the nesting of turtles during December
- February season.
Neil Island (36-km. By Sea From Port Blair) : This beautiful island
with lush green forest and sandy beaches is the vegetable bowl of Andamans.
Connected by boat from Port Blair four days a week, it provides an ideal holiday
for eco friendly tourists. Hawabill nest guesthouse of the Directorate of Tourism
provides comfortable accommodation here. One can feel the sincerity and serenity
of village life here. Beautiful beaches at Lakshmanpur, Bharatpur, Sitapur and
the natural bridge formations on the seashore are the attractions.
Long Island (82-kms. By Sea From Port Blair) : Connected by
boat four times a week from Phoenix Bay Jetty, this island offers an excellent
sandy beach at Lalaji Bay, unpolluted environment and evergreen forests. The
sea around the island is frequented by dolphin convoys. Lalaji Bay, 6-km away
from the boat jetty, is accessible by 15 minutes journey in Doonghies or trekking
through the forest. Island camping (tent accommodation) is available seasonally
over here.
Havelock Island (50-kms. By Sea From Port Blair - Via Neil Island 62-km) : This island, near to Neil Island, offers beautiful sandy beaches and lush
green forest. Radhanagar Beach, 12-km from the jetty on the western side of
the island, is one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the islands.
One can enjoy quite holidays in the lap of Mother Nature over here.
Little Andaman Island (120-km. By Sea From Port Blair) : Little
Andaman Island offers a perfect mix of white sandy beaches bewitching waterfalls,
boating through the creeks, exciting elephant safari, elephant safari, elephant
lumbering, elephant calls training, surfing etc. All the places of tourist interest
are approachable by the road, leading northwards from the Hutbay by Jetty.
Island (139-km. By Sea From Port Blair) : This is the only
active volcano in India. Erupted twice in recent past, once in 1991 and again
in 1994-95, after remaining dormant for about 177 years. This island, about
3-km in diameter, has a big crater of the volcano, about half kilometer away
from the shore. Barren Island can be visited by special boats and the visit
is restricted to on board vessels only. Landing ashore is not allowed.
Place to stay in Port Blair
The options of accommodation in Port Blair vary from posh guesthouses and tourist
resorts to reasonable economy class guesthouses and tourist lodges.
Practicalities Port Blair has two jetties: Boats from the mainland moor at Haddo
Jetty, 1-km north of Phoenix Jetty, arrival point for inter-island ferries,
but you can also check the shipping news column of the local newspaper, for
details of forthcoming departures.
The Ramshackle Airport is 4-km south of town at Lamba line. Entry permits are
issued to foreigners from the counter in the corner of the arrivals hall while
the baggage is being transferred. Taxis are on hand for the trip into town.
Road names are not used much in Port Blair, with most establishments addressing
themselves simply by their local area. The name of the busiest and most central
area is Aberdeen Bazaar, where one will find the Superintendent of Police (for
permit extensions), the SCI office for Onward Bookings by Sea, and the State
Bank of India (Monday-Friday, 9.00 am - 1.00 pm, Saturday 9.00 - 11.00 am).
Some hotels also have the facility to change Travellers' Cheques.
Nearby Cities of Port Blair
» Mayabunder
» Kalighat
» Chennai - 1190 Km
» Calcutta - 1255 Km
» Vishakapatnam - 1200 Km
How to Get There
By Air: Port Blair, on South Andaman, is served by fights from
Calcutta (Kolkata) (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) and Chennai (Monday,
Wednesday and Friday). Sea: It's also possible to get to Port Blair by ship.
The principle sailings leave Calcutta (Kolkata) and Chennai every one of two
weeks, and Vishakapatnam once every month or so.
Tourists arriving by plane can pick up the permit necessary to visit the islands
on arrival at Port Blair airport; passengers travelling on a ship should obtain
on at a Foreigners' Registration Office before leaving India.
Local Transport: Walking is tiring and time-consuming in hilly
Port Blair, even taking into account the minimal amount of sightseeing the place
offers, making transport essential. Yellow-top taxis gather opposite the bus
stand and they all have meters. They are the best option one can have for a
trip from the center of town to Corbyn's Cove. No rickshaws, auto-or otherwise,
operates on the island.
Local buses run in frequently from the bus stand in central Port Blair to Wandoor
and Chirya Tapu, and can be used for day-trips, though it's best to rely on
one's own transport to get around South Andaman. Bicycles can be rented from
Aberdeen Bazaar, but the roads to the coasts are most easily covered on a Vespa
or Motorcycle, both available for rent. The petrol pump is on the crossroads
west of the bus stand, and there's another on the road towards the airport.
Fill up before one leaves town, as gas is hard to come by elsewhere.
