21st Dec 2013 to 1st Jan. 2014 Visit to Andman and Nicobar islands, Puri, Konark and Bhubneshwar

Sunrise at Port Blair

21st Dec.
Left New Delhi by Spicejet at about 08.10 hrs. Arrived Port Blair at 13.30 hrs. after a brief stop-over at Kolkata. The journey was quite hectic and taxing. We got up at 03.30 hrs. to get ready to reach the airport by 06.30 hrs.  The DGP Andaman and Nicobar island had arranged for our reception at the airport. Took lunch in the Police guest house. Slept for over 3 hrs. to get over the fatigue. Visited Cellular Jail known as Kala Pani and saw light and sound show there. It was quite touching. A friend visited Andaman Nicobar islands and wrote  as to why the jail was called Kalapani. : "Actually, no one knows for sure. We heard three versions.

1. You were being sent to your end of time in the world or Kaal and since you go over the ocean, it was called Kaala Paani.

2. It rains a lot there and more so on the ocean, which is Bay of Bengal. There are dark clouds in the sky most of the time which make the sea water look dark. So it was called Kaala Paani.

3. The cruel jail staff gave you dirty water to drink. So you were doomed to drink kaala paani.

Even senior officers make guess work on the above versions. You can take your pick."

 In the premises of Cellular Jail            

  

Near Peepal Tree, witness to atrocities on 

freedom fighters in Jail

Port Blair  has unique scenic beauty. Retired to sleep at about 23 hrs.

22nd Dec.

We Visited Vir Savarkar's cell in Cellular Jail. Could not understand the poem written by him in Marathi.
Near Veer Savarkar's Cell 

Also enjoyed seeing different kinds of live Corals and Fish in the Naval Museum.  
In Naval Museum 

In the afternoon went to Chidiya beach, about 35 km from Port Blair and saw the sunset. Not worth a visit. A cup of tea in the forest IB mixed with lemon grass was quite refreshing. Returned at about 20 hrs. Retired to sleep at about 22.30 hrs.

23rd Dec

Boarded luxury ship 'Markuzz' at about 08.15 hrs. for Havelock island, about one and half hour journey on the sea.  Accommodation arranged in a cottage of Cross Bill Beach Resort at Rs. 5000/-  plus taxes per night is nice. It has all the modern facilities. It is clean and comfortable. We had coffee in the restaurant of the Resort and went for a long walk along the Beach near the cottage. The 'light green' waters of the sea were enchanting.
Beach near Cross Bill Beach Resort 

  






Visited Radharani Beach in Havelock island in the afternoon after a journey of about 40 minutes by car. It is long clean beautiful beach,considered to be the best in Asia. Walked with shoes in our hands waves flying over our feet/legs.
 In Havelock Island

Had continental lunch at Barefoot restaurant in the forested area on the beach itself.  You have to enter it barefoot . The lunch cost us Rs. 500/- + Rs. 100/- as tip. Venita went marketing nearby. I watched the waves sitting on a a chair provided by local police post and took snaps of the setting sun..
Sunset at Radharani Beach

Returned Cross Bill Beach Resort at about 2000 hrs .

Retired to sleep at about 2200 hrs. after dinner at Sea Shell restaurant.

24th Dec.

We had a long walk along the beach near the cottage again in the morning. Due to ebb, sea waters had gone over 100 yards away. The beach had deeply embedded collections of rocks here and there. After breakfast we boarded a small motor boat for a 15 minute journey to Elephant beach. The boat could accommodate 6 persons besides the two boat men. We were 4 adults and 2 teen age boys of Khyati's age. They were Indians of Africa..The boat was moving at a speed of 30 to 35 km per hour. It took us 15 minutes to reach the Elephant beach.  
On Elephant Beach

At a small patch of rough sea, the waves took the boat up to 2 to 3 feet high. We thought our end had come. Boatmen assured us that nothing would happen. Again we got quiet sea after 2 minutes. We heaved a sigh of relief. At Elephant beach (as the forest dept used to train elephants here, it is known as such. There are no elephants here nor there is any training camp.), we boarded another motor boat with magnifying glass belly for watching the under-sea life. 
Under-sea vegetation, rocks, corals and fish

Snorkeling, sea walking, scuba diving were going on. Although Snorkeling was part of the package of our journey to Elephant beach, but we did not avail it. We watched younger people doing the same. We saw live corals and a number of colorful fish including some parrot like green fish. After glass boat ride we waited for our jetty at the beach to return to Havelock. We had a plateful of cut fruits, coconut water at the Elephant beach. Venita changed over to a hired swimming suit for a bath in a the sea. But in the meantime the jetty came and we had to rush to it as the African family was waiting for us to leave. She could not take bath.
On Elephant Beach

After a stay of over 4 hours at Havelock PWD IB and sumptuous lunch at a nearby Barefoot restraunt, we boarded 'Markuzz' on way back to Port Blair. Reached at about 1815 hrs.
 I received a sms from Pilku from Phuket that he was on the other side of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Truly so if you see their locations in  the world map. We felt as if he was with us.
Retired to sleep at about 2200 hrs.

25th Dec.

Went out for a 45 minute walk in the Water Sports Complex. It is situated in the heart of Port Blair near the sea, spacious and unique. Not many people were walking in the area or using the facilities. May be due to X-mas. Police officers mess, where we were staying, was located over 3 hundred feet above the Water Sports Complex. It was a steep climb. The back waters of the sea fed the reservoir for  water sports. 

Venita shopped stones and gems at Sagarika  emporium. The shoppers were moving jostling against each. She told me that she was buying them for her grandchildren and daughters-in-law. I went in search of a restaurant for coffee. I could not get one. People here took tea. 

As we were to leave Port Blair next day for Kolkata, spent over an hour with DGP Andaman Nicobar Islands. 
In the park near local beach at Port Blair

Also visited a nearby beach and park in the evening and walked there. If Pilku decided to come to this place, he could stay in the Fortune hotel. Its location is picturesque. All the swimming pools here had salty water. Retired to sleep at about 23 hrs.

26th Dec.

Went for 45 minute walk. The President of India would visit Port Bair on 11 January 2014. Lt. Governor attended a function  at the Water Sports Complex to commemorate the 7th Anniversary of Tsunami.  Venita shopped, mainly shell products. Left Port Blair at about 14.45 hrs. by Jetlite flight to Kolkata.  Arrived Meghalaya House Kolkata at about 1800 hrs. We were comfortably accommodated. Had dinner in a nearby Chinese restaurant, 'JADE'. I did not like the preparations. Venita liked.  Retired to sleep at about 2200 hrs . 

27 Dec. 

Ruchi was born today at about 10.15 pm, at Kanpur, UP, on  Wednesday, Ashtami, Krishna Paksh of the month of Paush, Samvat 2029. We wished her long and healthy life. She is loving and caring.

Left for Bhubneswar at about 1300 hrs, 55 minute flight from Kolkata. Accommodated in  Police mess. On way from the Airport. we happened to pass through the office of Commissioner of Police. It is an impressive white building. perhaps made of stone. Our first engagement here was with a  dentist at 16.30 hrs. Venita had flushed out her denture in WC at Port Blair. I talked to her with my eyes on her feet. She looked funny without her front lower teeth. Consulted the dentist. He promised to give denture to Venita next day. Retired to sleep at about 2200 hrs.

28th Dec.
Collected the denture today after a visit to Lingraj temple at Bhubneshwar, built between 7th and 12th centuries when thousands  of sandstone temples were erected around the Bindu Sagar, earning it the title 'The city of temples'   
                          Lingraj temple

Drove to Puri, about 70 km. from Bhubneshwar. It took us a little over one and a half hrs. The road is well maintained. Visited Puri beach. We did 

Puja/Achana at Lord Jagannath temple. 

Lord Jagannath temple. 

We took photographs of the domes of Lingraj and Jagannath temples from outside as no photographs are allowed inside their premises.

Retired to sleep at about 23 hrs.

29th Dec.
Visited Loknath. Guidicha. Indrayamuna, Narendra, Kshetra Ganga and Sidh Mahabir temples.
Venita spent the afternoon/evening at Lord Jagannath temple. She watched the changing of flag  on the mast of the temple from 6 to 7 pm. She again went there and remained from 2300 to 0300 hrs., watching Arti and other ceremonies before Lord Jagannath and other deities were put to sleep. 
      Outside Lord Jagannath temple
I stayed back in the guest house.

30th Dec.
We visited Sonar Gaurang temple. At Lord Jagannath temple made arrangements for hoisting of a flag on the mast of the temple. We also donated for the Bhog. 
The May-fare group of hotels had made arrangements  at Model beach to take bath if we so wished. Venita took bath. They also provided a life guard.
I took tinned Diet Coke. It led to excruciating pain in the stomach,  motions, vomiting and perspiration. Police doctor came. He gave a couple of pills. I slept from about 1900 hrs till early morning. Venita canceled all her programs to visit the temple in the night and next day early morning.
   At Model beach, Puri

                                         Sunset at Puri beach

 She was visibly disturbed. 

31st Dec
We visited Lord Jagannath temple in the morning. Donated ghee for the temple lamps. We saw our flag flying on the mast of the temple. It is believed that it would  bring glory, fame and name to the family. Venita did some pavement shopping. 
 Pavement shopping near Jagannath temple

Big crowds are expected in the town on the new year day. The same were seen yesterday and are seen today also.
On way back, visited Konark Sun temple. The guide took our photographs from various angles by my cell. We had visited this place in 1982 with Plku, Silku and Babloo. Its environment has changed. It is quite well maintained. Worth a visit with a guide. Panda, who guided us to the old temple and took our snaps, was well-informed and good in explaining its different aspects and  history.
         At Konark

We visited Pipli market, famous for embroidered items and Buddha temple on way from Konark to Bhubneshwar. Asoka shunned wars after witnessing much bloodshed during Kalinga war. He became a follower of Buddha. Reached Bhubneshwar at about 1800 hrs.
As we had traveled over 100 kms. from Puri via Konark, we did not go out for dinner. We decided to watch celebrations of the New Year Eve on the TV in the room till midnight. Venita  retired to sleep at about 23 hrs. She relishes sleep more than anything else. She did not wait for the New year to dawn. Lot of fireworks followed in the city after ushering in of the New year.  

1st Jan. 2014
At Bhubneshwar, Venita went shopping. She went to Lingraj temple again. After lunch and some rest, we left for airport. The aircraft was airborne  at about 19 hrs. It landed at Delhi at a little after 2100 hrs.
Our 12 day holidays ended. The courts open next day.