22:00: Went back to the office with my tour bag to check the weight. Since, for domestic flights the max permissible weight of the baggage is 15KG which was mentioned in the ticket which I received along with the tour itinerary. After that was
1:00: Started from office to room after finishing my mid-9t snack provided in my office (cool right ;)). Shut down for the day!
Saturday 21 FEB 2015, 4:30: As usual, I was lazy to get up! But today is the day which I was awaiting for a very long time. I told myself 'Come on buddy lets roll!!!'. Got up in a jiffy and finished my routine stuff and started from my room by 5:15, Vroom Vroom... Reached office and took my bag and hurried myself to reception to catch my cab to the airport.
5:30: It was calmness claiming all over the place. Cab driver came after refreshment and started. The traffic flow was low as it's early morning. Reached airport in no time. I carried only a single bag since I easily forget things as I said earlier :-P. Took my ticket and proof from my bag.
5:45: Excitement all swirling around me, reached GoAir counter. Showed my ticket and receptionist told to go to an entry near by. I guess it was entry gate 4. Stood in queue as a part of entry check. Done!!! Then to baggage check. Here, I got confused a bit, placed mine in baggage check and checking done. I noticed it was Indigo's, now again in GoAir baggage check, finally, that too DONE! Soon after that the counter for the flight to Port Blair was opened and stood in the queue again for getting the boarding pass. The time was around 6:15. Got my tickets and left my bag in heavy baggage section and walked towards the main security check. Waited here for a while, the queue was damn big. There were lots of flights this time! Security check got over and ticket got stamped!!!
7:20: I went to a coffee shop near gate 5, from where I have to board by flight. And bought a cappuccino and got settled down in a seat facing coffee shop, drank and soon after that sat opposite to plane dock. Took a few snaps and a selfie ;). Rested for few mins.
7:45: GoAir official announced the boarding for the flight, all hurried to stand in the queue. I was still standing near the gallery. After the rush I approached the gate and boarding check got done! Again a queue to board the flight through aero bridge. I saw the plane, which I was going to board, it was an Airbus A 320. After a few mins of waiting, I boarded the plane and sat in my seat. Which was an aisle seat. Comforted myself and put on my earphone. Music plays...
8:15: Plane take-off from the Chennai International Airport, and I have set my journey on :D
10:30: Plane flying above the lush green forests of Andaman with back waters running like maze path surrounded by turquoise blue sea. First look blows every nature lovers mind and happiness and excitement flowing through my blood. Awesome feeling!!! Must be felt by everyone at least once in a lifetime.
10:45: Landed in Veer Savarkar international airport, Port Blair. Thomas cook representatives waiting with placard in their hands. After a warm welcome, all the travelers were asked to place their baggage in a group in order to transfer the same to
11:00: Reached Annapoorna restaurant which is opposite to a school in one edge of the Aberdeen bazaar. I had a plate of mini idly and bought a water bottle. The Sun was at its best here! Even though it was hot, I planned to go for a walk nearby, as we were told that by only 12:15 we will be leaving to port for boarding procedures.
12:00 After a mini stroll in the shades of trees along the road I reached back and as told the tempo too came and started to jetty. Talked with Mr Sandeep
12:50: After taking a few snaps I sat among other in the waiting hall staring the entryway to this hall. By 13:30, a
14:00: Cruise set sail, the captain welcomed all and safety demonstration was played. It was shown on TV and live by a personnel. Soon after that a pre-recorded video was played, which showed the various sightseeing spots, and activities in Havelock and Port Blair. We had our lunch on the cruise and almost everyone walked inside the cruise. It took around one and half hour to reach Havelock. It is a big island with lush tropical evergreen forest and mangrove forest. It hosts the most beautiful beaches on the planet which offers, scuba diving, snorkelling, under sea walk and fishing.
15:30: Landed in Havelock with a mild sea breeze welcoming us. It's really beautiful. For the first time I witness the turquoise blue waters of the Andaman.
15:45: We proceeded to the gate after collecting our baggage. We met our representative 'Imran'. He took us to a tempo
16:30: We reached the resort 'TSG Blue Resort' it was splendid, full of wooden buildings and looks like as if it is placed inside the forest. Imran walked us into a room where we waited for a few mins, the waiter came with a tray full of pineapple juice. Eleven and half hour of a journey far away from Chennai comes to a halt. Imran briefed about the breakfast, dinner and next day's itinerary. I raised a question 'Is it possible to go for scuba diving', he replied instantly 'I have arranged for the same, two guys will meet you all today by 19:00 here. They are from barefoot scuba. They will guide regarding the same.' I felt awesome and a message was flying in front of me 'Dream comes true'. Yippee!!!!
16:45: We were asked to provide our ID proof and in few mins it was returned and our room keys were handed to us. Everyone walked to their respective rooms in tiredness. I reached my room and opened the door, the interior was fully wooden furnished. The room was majestic in its look, beautifully arranged room. I kept my bag and switched on the AC and I
17:20: I hurried myself to get freshened up and left to beach, there were lots of shops en route to beach, they sell jewellery crafted from shells, lots of other stuff and cool T-shirts. It was 17:30 by now and I marched towards the sea. And saw the sublime sunset. Took a few snaps of the sea and the sunset. Beach was very beautiful with few ferries on the sea,
19:00: The same hall where we gathered first, two guys were sitting. One of them briefed about scuba and asked to undergo a small Q&A which finds out whether we are fit for diving or not. Did it! And all go green. Another guy asked for the advance payment and gave me a receipt. Myself and the Yo Couple signed for diving the next day. They told us we will be picked up by a cab by 5:30. Wow!!!
Then I had the dinner, which was a buffet (Soup, Salad, Papad, Roti, Rice, Biriyani, Dal, Veg Gravy, Non-Veg Gravy and a Dessert). Soon after that I was walking in front of the resort. Met the Yo Couple, had some chit-chat. Waved a bye with good 9t for the couples who crossed me. I put on my headphone and started listening to 'chaar botal vodka ;)'
20:30: I went to my room and switched on the TV and watched the match highlights for some time and slowly I drifted to sleep mode.
-----Day one over-----
5:50: The cab arrived, it was a
6:10: Once everyone got ready, we were
Then he made me wear the jacket which is fitted with oxygen cylinder, then goggles which blows the nose too. Since we have to breath using our mouth using a pipe which is connected with oxygen cylinder, there were lots of other equipment too. Then he started teaching me how to breathe using that by showing a demo, followed by me practicing, we moved on to training on showing symbols made by hand. Each status has a symbol, like 'ok' with a super symbol, 'not ok' with a
7:15: They too reached after their dive when I was swimming over there. Then we slowly removed our
8:20: Imran approached us and he asked how was it, we replied together in one voice, 'awesome'. Then we walked to the jetty and we saw our co-fellows. Few of them approached and asked 'how was the scuba diving', I shared with them the snaps and narrated them the experience and motivated them to try. We were asked to wait in a park near jetty, as Imran and Adithya, another Thomas cook representative, who accompanied us to elephant beach, were buying tickets to same. We were allocated three boats and we got split and started our journey in a motor boat to elephant beach.
The sea was vibrant, we enjoyed the ride. En route to the beach we saw an old abandoned small lighthouse, private cruise, lush green forest guarding the Havelock.
There were many boats docked near the beach. The sea was very beautiful here. Felt like as if this an imaginary world. I couldn't believe myself!
9:30: We were given around 3 hours to have fun, which includes snorkelling too. Each boat was assigned to a snorkelling guide, they took for snorkelling one by one. I told Adithya 'I will snorkel last'. I was eager to swim, I still didn't believe the color of the water. I changed my clothes in a jiffy and put on the goggles and swim cap and ran into the water. Started swimming... I made multiple dives and enjoyed the unbelievable sight under water. The sand was very beautiful, I walked underwater, did few crazy stuffs. I was like a new born fish in water. I just went crazy. I love water, and I am very crazy about swimming! Water, water, water everywhere!!!! Yippeee. I swam the maximum distance allowed to swim, it was around ~100 meters from the shore. The depth was around 5 to 10 meters. As I swam far, and I started witnessing the vibrant corals. No one was allowed
The time was around 12, I returned back to shore
13:00: We reached near the Havelock jetty, the same place from where we started. Then we got into a tempo and started back to our resort. Everyone went to their rooms and got refreshed and came for lunch, a few of them went for lunch directly. The lunch was our own, the waiter gave the menu card and I quickly glimpsed through all the veg food available. I decided to order
14:45: I switched on the TV and started watching match highlights I guess. The time was around 16:00, I was feeling sleepy and
18:00: Got up and refreshed myself with a co
20:00: Time for dinner at our resort, today was also buffet with few alterations in the dishes. Change was veg clear soup and fried rice, others were same. After dinner, I went for a stroll a made few calls. The signal was so weak one can literally feel that, when you talk the recipient will hear only after 2
21:00: Here all the activities will be done early morning as the climate will be pleasant and
-----Day two over-----
There were roughly 10 people
8:15: Imran arrived and our luggages were kept in reception and it was ported to tempo and we got inside, ready to leave the resort and the Radha Nagar beach with cherishing memories. All of us really enjoyed the Havelock and the activities here... Havelock is the heart of fun in Andaman according to me. Tempo engine revs... We reached Havelock jetty and we were asked to wait near Havelock ticketing counter. We carried/ rolled our luggage with us and reached the place. All took the chair which was stacked over there and all of them sat. I was standing nearby and listening to songs. Here I started talking with a new guy, who went for scuba after he got an impression that 'The scuba in Havelock should not be missed'. He is the techie guy according to me, he came with his wife for this trip. I named them as 'Techie couple', they too enjoyed the scuba and felt astonishing. Our cruise to Port Blair was by 10:15, all of us passed our time by talking to each other. By 10:00 Imran came and told us that one couple met with an accident and as soon as they reach here we will start.
It was Atul and his wife, only he got injured, she escaped luckily. They reached the jetty and we started walking to the jetty. We then kept our luggages in the Port Blair transfer section and waited for a while, then we boarded the cruise. As earlier the same safety videos were played and the cruise sets sail. Today I sat near Sandeep, a cool guy from Bangalore, he too is a techie. I started taking videos and snaps in my mobile and started listening to music. The cruise sailed through a strait, on your left you can see Sir William Peel Island and on your right you can see Havelock Island. The view was very scenic.
11:10: We reached Neil Island, one can see Neil from long distance too, as soon as we approach near the tip of Havelock, Neils visibility is very high. But as we go near, one can witness the calm sea and beautiful spellbound water coloration. Cruise got docked here for 5 mins and we were instructed not to get down here as the duration is very limited. Few got down here and lots of them boarded the cruise. We started our sail to Port Blair, again the safety video was played for the newly boarded passengers... I again put on my headphone and started listening to music. Later walked inside the cruise, bought a
13:30: Opened my room 201 and kept my bag and took rest for a while and got freshen up and took a few snaps of the room and the city, later hurried for the lunch as I was very hungry. Had a plate of ghee rice and veg Pakoda. It was really yummy. The restaurant was on the first floor and lighting was awesome. It gave a party feel and seatings were cozy. By the time everyone finished their lunch it was three. Paras instructed us to gather in reception by 15:00, all came and we started to aquarium, it was not a lengthy drive, we reached in few mins. Photography costed extra, few of us collected tickets for that, and started to glance at the marine life in Andaman preserved in a jar :'(. Trust me, most of the things in here can be seen in the open sea, mostly near boating area
17:10: Everyone gathered near the entrance, waiting for the tempo to proceed to our next destination, Cellular Jail. Tempo came and we boarded, the view back to the city was awesome, it's like a dream ride with sea one side and a hilly background on the other side. I love such things, it was mind blowing journey back with
17:40: We reached the cellular jail, already there was a long queue at the entry. We too got appended to the long thread, but in few mins we were inside the cellular jail, it doesn't look like a jail, it's an excellent structural feat during that time. At the entry there are few offices on both sides and you enter the open space which hosts an open auditorium, a 24x7 fire glowing mini tower on the left side, near to that there is peepal tree, which is part of this since the inception and martyr's column. There were seven wings with one central tower, one can't go from one wing to another directly, passage is only through the tower. Now there exists only 3 three towers, others got damaged during earthquake and World War. Now the Cellular Jail is a National memorial monument.
We sat in the open auditorium, by 18:00 the light and sound show started. The show was a description of the history of the jail and about the prisoners. The peepal tree acts as the orator of the events. The entire show was in Hindi, I barely understood :-P. The show lasted for one hour and we waited for a while for our tempo to reach, there was a park nearby few of them were sitting inside that, other near the compound next to park, I was busy taking snaps of the cellular jail, then we started back to the hotel.
We reached the hotel and we had enough time to get freshened up and take a small nap. I opened the room and took rest for some time watching TV, then took a bath and went for dinner. By 20:10 I reached the dining hall, it was a buffet similar to Havelock, same type of dishes, the main change was dessert. All others were similar. (Veg Clear Soup,
21:50: We were asked to carry an extra clothing, towel and water bottle like the trip to the elephant, as we were going to under sea walk. I finished my packing, kept things in a small backpack and jumped on the bed and started watching TV again, later I felt sleepy and in a few seconds I was under my cozy blanket :D and the day is over with half of the trip completed. That is the saddest part :(
-----Day three over-----
Our boat to Ross Island was 'dolphin', a motor boat with seating capacity of around 20-30 persons. By 8:30 we boarded our boat, the ride to Ross Island took around ~15 mins. En route to that Paras told the significance of light house which was in the North Bay, which was visible from our boat, the picture of that lighthouse is in our 20 rupees back side.
8:50: The water here was sort of greenish blue, a picturesque Island. We landed in Ross Island and walked towards the counter where we were given smart cards as entrance tickets. Photographing the Island costs another 30 bucks, you will be given another smart card by replacing this. Then we proceeded to the Island entrance and we are in, at the first look you will feel like as if you are on a deserted island. Most of the buildings which were on the island was destroyed due to multiple natural disasters and mainly due to tsunami. Ross Island was the first capital of Andaman during British period. As we walked in, there were few boards, briefing the history of the island, the tsunami, and map of Ross Island.
We walked past many buildings, most of them in a ruined state. Only a very few are preserved. We reached the left most corner of the Island, which looked like a port during the British period. Then we walked towards the beach with the help of a map. We saw the first glimpse of the beach, after crossing the church. Steps lead to the beach, the beach was very scenic with lush green forest in its backdrop with sky touching coconut trees bordering the forest. It was a splendid view. The water was untouched and virgin. The sand and silt sit on foot at your first step into the water. The beach was of sinking type. The color of the water was greenish-blue, the beach was full of rocks and corals sticking on to them.
One of the best beaches in Port Blair, the water was like a gem glittering on the touch of light. But unfortunately, one cannot take a dip or swim here. We took a few snaps and started back to the other side. My buddy couple got tired and they walked back to the entrance, but I decided to explore fully, I continued walking
Then I saw a pond with lots of lotus, I continued my walk to the right side of the island, where I saw old photos of the building on this island. And then walked the maximum
10:23: I reached the entrance and there was a relaxation area, I sat there staring at the sea, the city looked beautiful from here and the sea was calm with a mild breeze engaging my body. By 10:35 everyone gathered and using the smart card which allowed us in, we got outside and we were awaiting the boat, by that time we got engaged in the discussion about the next days plan. And all agreed to the trip to Baratang. I was very excited. Since there is a larger possibility of seeing Andaman native tribes and one of the untouched forests in the world. Later all were engaged in taking snaps till the boat arrived.
10:50: We boarded the boat back to the jetty, here we were assigned to speed boats to North Bay for undersea walk and each boat could carry only 6 persons. Hence we were split into small groups and got assigned to various slots, mine was after one and half hour along with the three aunties from Mumbai. I spent my time sitting on the beach facing the sea watching the waves for some time, later I started staring at the water in the sports complex side searching for the various fishes. I saw lots of sea urchins and few starfish, and lots of other fishes for which I don't know the names :-P
12:55: Our boat came and one set has already finished their sea walking, I asked them 'how was the experience?' the reply was 'ok', the water was muddy and visibility was very low hence it contributes much less to the wonderful experience. We sat on the boat and started our drive to North Bay, the ride was very good with water splashing on my face and it was ~20 mins ride from the jetty. Saw a big boat, with writing on its side, 'Sea Link Adventures'. We jumped onto the bigger one, where our sea walking is going to be, the bigger consisted of change rooms, seating locations, slipper stands and locker. On its other side, there was a big enclosure within in which the sea walking is done. I changed my clothes and got ready for the walking. There was an alpha numeric writing done in our hand, this was a sort of unique number for identifying the photographs which will be taken underwater. I stood on a bridge like thing and started to get down into the water via a steps attached, as our neck nears the water, a huge astronaut kind of mask was placed over my head, it really weighs dude!!! But as I went underwater the weight wasn't drawing my attention. But similar to scuba one will feel pressure on the ear and that can be de-pressurized by catching the nose inside the mask. The water was cold, we were around 26 feet below. I was made to wait with the others who were already under water before me. They took everyone for the undersea walk in groups. We held our hands together and we started walking. The visibility was very poor. But there were lots of fishes, giant corals, here also we saw the Nemo fish. Everyone was taken near the coral one by one and few photographs were taken. The rest of the time was spent walking and feeding the fishes. When we started feeding the fish, there came lots of fishes. It was really mesmerizing. After around ~20-30 mins, we were about to leave the underwater world, Then we came up and changed our clothes and we were given CDs with our photos burned in that.
14:30: We reached back the jetty and all were awaiting us, Paras told us to have our lunch soon as our tempo will be coming by 15:10 for our visit to the cellular jail. I went to the restaurant nearby within the complex, where others were eating. I ordered 2 Butter Naan, Gobi Masala and a Chocolate Milk Shake. All were yummy. By the time we finished the tempo came. We boarded and started to the cellular jail. Today it was jail visit, whereas yesterday it was just a show. We had around one and half hour to visit. The cellular jail closes by 17:00. We were assigned to a guide and he explained all the things about the jail, various buildings in the jail, and about the punishments given to the prisoners, and he showed us the cells. We saw gallows, punishment hall (which was not covered during that time), central tower, etc... The time was around 16:20, he explained everything we needed to know and he left us with sight seeing and photography session. I roamed through locations quickly and reached outside the jail, where there was a shop for purchasing souvenirs. I bought a T-shirt for me and waited outside for others. By the time I was waiting, Mr Atul came we got engaged in a small talk, he was better now. He was recovering from the accident which he met in Havelock. Then in few mins everyone came and we waited in the park nearby for our tempo to come. Again, it was time for photography, at least we have daylight today for taking snaps :). Later our tempo came and we reached our hotel. Before we got down, Paras explained the itinerary for Baratang, we had to start by 6 and we will be back by ~18:00-19:00. Then we went to our room and we had enough time for taking rest. I slept for a while and got up by 20:15 and went for dinner.
20:20: Today the major change in the buffet was Papad and the Desser
Awaiting the magnificent journey to Baratang...
-----Day four over-----
My alarm rings, ♫... I got up and swiftly freshened up for the dazzling journey, I reached the reception, others were on their way. By 5:50, all gathered together and Paras handed over our packed breakfast, obviously sandwich :-P, and a few packets of Tropicana. Paras introduced the driver who is going to accompany us the entire day, since Paras was not coming with us. His name was Rajendran. He handed us over a form, in which we had to fill our names and details. This was to be submitted at one check post. We filled the form partly, and everyone got inside the tempo, I sat on the first seat parallel to driver, because I love travelling and watching the scenic beauty and since this was a long journey, every couple needs their own space ;-). Paras waved us a 'Tata' and we started from our TSG Emerald View by 6:20. There were only 19 members participating in this journey as 3 others
It was early morning, fog kissing the earth all over, we crossed the Port Blair International Airport, now we have reached the other side of the Port Blair, this region is called Garacharama, crossing Junglighat and Aberdeen. We have started riding on the ATR
We were off city limits now, there were lots of areas devastated by the tsunami, we crossed those and we crossed
8:00: Our breakfast kit consisted of sandwich & a few packets of drink, it was like 4 sandwiches per person, there were few packed boxes with the sauce too. Myself, Mr Shamanth, Mr Sandeep & Mr Mohan helped everyone with their need, everyone ate 2 and few ate 3. And later we had Tropicana too. There were two flavors Mixed fruits and Apple. Soon after the breakfast everyone went on their own roaming around the place. Few of us went to the temple. After the temple visit, I planned to contribute a bit more to my morning breakfast, I was still feeling hungry. I approached a roadside shop and had a plate of Idly & two Vadas. Food tasted really good!!! And it was hygienic. Later I took a few snaps of the place and I was looking
9:00: All vehicles ready to roll, there were three police vehicles escorting, one at the start and end and another in the middle. We were entering the Jarawas tribal reserve area, there were lots of rules to be followed in here. Mainly, one should not take photographs within next 50 kms, tribes & even the forests too. And another main rule was not to stop the vehicle in this stretch at any cost. The wilderness swamping around us, the stretch was beautiful with lush green forest. The road has become narrow and all the vehicles were travelling like ants. After around one hour there came a curve, where Mr Rajendran shouted 'Adivasi Adivasi', I saw a guy, his body was pitch black, his waist was covered in a red towel like thing. I hope it's a towel. He was carrying a bow and arrows. He was on our left, I shouted 'left side'. All were amazed to see the first Jarawa en route to Middle Strait. Everyone was pumped up with adrenaline and all started to stare at the route in which we were travelling. Over the span of time we saw few more
Soon from there we reached our small docking point over there, from where we have to go on a walk of around 1.4 kms to reach the Limestone cave. We got down, and we were given around 1 hour to complete the sight seeing, one of the guys from the boat accompanied us.
11:55: We started walking towards the cave, en route to that, we saw many detailed notes about the Island, the formation of Limestone cave, etc... We passed through dense forest, farm lands and porous rock structures before we reached a check point, where there were a few shops, which offers lime juice, water and snacks. After a few mins of waiting we started to the main entry of the cave.
Our boat guy, asked us to gather all of us in a group and he started explaining about cave and various structures. The cave was magnificent. We walked around 100 meters inside the cave, the rest of the area was locked down due to structural damage and lack of safety. The cave was a real historic beauty, it was ~20-25 Meters max and the lowest was ~3 Meters. There were lots of shapes forged by the water once flowed here I guess, they were really impressive. Perfect dimensions of a crafted pillar. It will outsmart the modern instruments and precision. Really Impressive and beautiful.
There were single pillars with thickness more at the bottom and streamlining towards middle and increasing again as it touches the ceiling. Wow!!! There were lots of hanging structures too. Few shapes which our guide a.k.a the boat guy showed us were, Lord Ganesha, Octopus, Gadha, Lion's Claw. Then our guide gave our own space, everyone started taking photographs, and I took a few snaps, and helped others to get a couple photos. I came out of the cave and walked towards the small boat jetty where we got down. I enjoyed my walk, I was walking
The pier owed one marvelous view for scorching sun.
Splendid view! By around 1:15, everyone gathered and we started back to Barantang jetty. It was a long ride under HOT sun.
13:45: We reached back, and our driver
By the time everyone completed the time was around 14:20, a few had ice creams too. From distance Mr Rajendran told us to be ready, and we had to board the upcoming ferry. Everyone had around max 10 minutes to finish their lunch. As a final touch few had tender coconut and lime juice.
Our ferry came, we waited for the on board passengers and vehicles to move, then we got in and we set sail... Baratang was awesome. It's one of the most beautiful and untouched by human. I stood alone in a corner and enjoyed the backwater. We reached back the middle strait, and we hurried to our tempo, as the next convoy to Jirkatang was
16:00: The sunlight piercing through the leaves slightly, it was really a superb journey, we saw a few more tribals on our way back. Everyone was tired and slightly dozy. We reached Jirkantang by ~16:45, Mr Rajendran stopped vehicle for few mins for refreshment and time for
I bought few 3D pics of sea and sea creatures. I loved those! We reached back our hotel after ~15-20 minutes of shopping. I wanted to visit a person in Port Blair, hence I inquired with Mr Rajendran and he suggested me a good place to start searching for. There were others too in the vehicle going to the
In a few seconds I came to know there is no such a person nearby, therefore I planned to walk back to my hotel TSG Emerald View, Mr Rajendran told the hotel was straight from here in 3 Kms. It was a bit crowded walk my way back. I reached back and time was almost near 8. I took a bath and watched TV for half an hour and went for the dinner.
20:30: I entered the dinning hall and there was a big gang sitting in one corner and a few couples having dinner privately. I walked towards the dishes and glanced them, and started talking one by one. I sat at a table alone and started eating. In few seconds Mr Mohan came and asked to join with them, I walked with him and I too became the member of the big
-----Day five over-----
9:15: Did a quick glance over the things I have packed and I re checked all the places in the room and Carried my bag and left the room by locking the door, walked through steps past behind a glass door to reach the reception. Handed over the key and a new Thomas Cook representative came and asked, 'Sir your room no.?', I replied and he handed me a feedback form, there were a few questions and check boxes, with ratings. It was about the best places visited during the trip, hotel, food, behavior of the representatives, overall experience and comment box. I filled and handed over the form to the receptionist. Then our baggages were grouped and were kept in the tempo. Everyone started taking the final group snaps and finally we took the group photo. It was awesome! Mrs Mohan gave a very pleasant feedback about the team and all started digitizing the friendship by collecting the phone numbers. Later got into the tempo and it was Mr Rajendran again today. He too was very happy seeing us. We started our drive back to the Port Blair International Airport. We collected our luggages and I personally waved a goodbye to Mr Rajendran. I won't forget him for sure. Then stood in the entry queue. Waved a goodbye to our temporary representative as the queue moved. Really missed Paras! Got inside the Airport and done with the security check for the baggage. Then moved onto the GoAir counter and collected my boarding pass. The bag was 7
But there wasn't any issue, after my check I collected my items and the police officer stamped my ticket and I sat near a shop. There were lots of T-shirt hanging, I am mad about T-shirts, I went there and started checking out. I selected one and bought that.
10:50: It was almost time for our flight, a GoAir personnel announced the departure and there formed a big queue, I didn't want to take any risk of confusion, so I too stood in the queue. As there was another plane leaving to Car Nicobar. One more final check and we boarded the bus, which will take us near our flight. The flight was standing hardly few meters away from us. Literally, there was no need, but they won't allow to walk. Got down from the bus and again stood in a queue and in few mins I got inside the flight. I was given a middle seat with no one on both my sides, I felt Wow. But soon after I felt that, the air hostess came and requested me for a change and I said ok, but I wanted her to give me a window seat. The change for some couple who cares :-/. I got a window seat and even over there I was alone. I was happy with that. Air hostess started demonstrating safety tips. Then the captain starting preparing the plane for takeoff. I got settled down and set my mobile ready for snaps. The plane started and I started taking snaps. Andaman was beautiful as the altitude started
Altitude raised and the clouds looked like small pebbles semi sank in shallow water flowing around them.
I started listening to the music... 'chaar botal vodka' again. I love that song.
1:15: We landed in Chennai, before I got down, I waved goodbye personally to all the couples and aunties who were travelling on the same flight to Mumbai. Waved a special Yo for my Yo couple and I got down, Walked past the aero bridge and reached the terminal, our baggage collection was in belt 2. I walked to the allocated belt and waited over there. By the time our baggage came, I said goodbye to all the Couples who got down here, who were going to Bangalore and their respective places.
Waited for around ~20 Mins, and I collected my baggage. I went to the washroom and got freshened up and booked a cab to DLF and walked right past exist. There I saw Mr & Mrs Rangadeep struggling with something. I approached and he asked where should we board domestic flights, I guided him and he wanted to know where he can get good food. (He asked me that in Tamil, gr8!) There was a Sangeetha near by and I suggested that, he walked his way there saying a bye.
I boarded my cab to DLF and left the airport with lovely memories...
*************************** Till next time Andaman :) *****************************
Great one subbu...keep travelling..
ReplyDelete“Take only memories, leave only footprints.”
Thank u kutti bai :) Yep I am going to travel a lot... Do join me if u r interested. Always welcome.
DeleteCheers subbo!!! keep rocking machi... B|
ReplyDelete