Andaman Muses
Giving a twenty rupee note has never been the same for me since my trip to Andamans. I always flip on the picture side of the note when paying to the auto driver and at times even tell them,that this place is not an paradise dreamt by the RBI governor nor a place where twenty rupee notes are grown and everyone is poor,it is North Bay in Andaman Islands.The photograph has been clicked near Harriet Forest Reserve. Port Blair. It's quite ironic that this place was chosen to be behind the note since twenty bucks are just good for naariyal paani in this cocunut tree infested island.
Travelling to Andamans is as expensive as a trip to Thailand/Malaysia(I'm no rich kid and have never stepped out of the country).Since everything is 'imported' from the mainland, prices are eventually doubled. Basic amenities even like milk is not produced for the masses in whole of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.Economy is relied on tourism only, the only service sector that exists yet no poverty dwells over there. Your taxi driver, boat guide even fishermen most of whom are immigrants from mainland are occasional fliers to their hometown.
"The only things cheap in Andamans are booze and petrol" said the cab guy, who made is travel half of the Andaman Islands.Again very ironic and difficult to digest for me since taxi ride for a day in Port Blair is Rs 1600, whereas same thing in Mumbai is for Rs1000/1200 with petrol prices of Rs 70/ltr and that in Port Blair is Rs 60/ltr. Coming to booze, the only people who I believe party in Andaman are the firangs who come to Havelock Island.Otherwise an eerie silence surrounds the streets in Port Blair by 10 p.m because everyone sleeps early knowing they'll start their day at six next morning when the sun is shining bright. And unlike Goa, the beaches in Andamans are virgin, untouched by party culture ,dog/cow poop and paan spits (though supari is one of the major crops there). To my knowledge only exception being Kala Pathar in Havelock not popular among domestic tourists but our beloved 'atithis' come party at night and litter around the beach with booze bottles.
Perhaps this is one of the mystical beauties of this place not being infected with booming commercialization and party culture making it a perfect destination to spend with your loved ones or just yourself.
Travelling to Andamans is as expensive as a trip to Thailand/Malaysia(I'm no rich kid and have never stepped out of the country).Since everything is 'imported' from the mainland, prices are eventually doubled. Basic amenities even like milk is not produced for the masses in whole of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.Economy is relied on tourism only, the only service sector that exists yet no poverty dwells over there. Your taxi driver, boat guide even fishermen most of whom are immigrants from mainland are occasional fliers to their hometown.
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| You've definitely seen this place, just not been here. |
"The only things cheap in Andamans are booze and petrol" said the cab guy, who made is travel half of the Andaman Islands.Again very ironic and difficult to digest for me since taxi ride for a day in Port Blair is Rs 1600, whereas same thing in Mumbai is for Rs1000/1200 with petrol prices of Rs 70/ltr and that in Port Blair is Rs 60/ltr. Coming to booze, the only people who I believe party in Andaman are the firangs who come to Havelock Island.Otherwise an eerie silence surrounds the streets in Port Blair by 10 p.m because everyone sleeps early knowing they'll start their day at six next morning when the sun is shining bright. And unlike Goa, the beaches in Andamans are virgin, untouched by party culture ,dog/cow poop and paan spits (though supari is one of the major crops there). To my knowledge only exception being Kala Pathar in Havelock not popular among domestic tourists but our beloved 'atithis' come party at night and litter around the beach with booze bottles.
Perhaps this is one of the mystical beauties of this place not being infected with booming commercialization and party culture making it a perfect destination to spend with your loved ones or just yourself.
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