Tourist Spots in the Islands

Tourists from all over the world travel round the countries to enjoy as well as visualize the land, the climate, and the people and the Historical monuments found in that place. Even places which are least spoken off have many tourist spots to enjoy. These specific groups of islands too have many tourist spots in them.

Chatham Saw Mill, one of Asia’s largest saw mills was built here during the British rule. Expensive woods like Patak, Marble, Curzon and Satin wood are all cut into various sizes of planks, blocks and sleepers. They are dropped in chemical solutions and then sold. These are used for the islanders as well as the people of other states for their requirements. They must get permits to use these woods for houses, government offices and factories. Containers cater these huge logs of woods by ships to other states in India. 1000 employees work in this mill and are owned by the government. Tourists are permitted to see the process in this mill.

There is a museum undertaken by the forest department in Hadoo, which is a store house of the kinds of trees available in the islands. The trees and its kinds are exhibited by their names. Wooden handicrafts are displayed and sold. Hadoo also has a mini zoo where rare species of birds, crocodiles, monkeys, foxes, pythons, deer, wild goats, pigs, parrots and pigeons are found. There is a naval marine museum set up at Samudrika in Hadoo where Corals, Shells, Fish, Sea creatures are found here. Navy’s costumes, equipments and weapons are also displayed. We also find documentaries of same islands. There is an anthropological museum in phoenix Bay where the weapons, pottery, hut models, wooden boats and the photographs of the native tribes have been displayed. This exhibits a five cultural heritage of the tribes. Another national monument is the cellular jail located in Atlanta point which was constructed by the Britishers. This is a symbol of cruelty and brutal treatment that the Britishers imposed on the Indian freedom fighters.

There is a fishers museum located of Aberdeen jetty were many strange sea creatures and fishers are found. Fishers of great quality are exported from here. One who is interested in getting information regarding fishers can visit this museum. There is a beach named Corbyn’s Cove Beach which is natural and a picturesque coastline next to the capital city, surrounded by coconut palms. The favourite sports are sea swimming, sun bathing, and beach combing and riding. One has the facility of changing the clothes after swimming. A restaurant is nearby where drinks and snacks can be got. Well off people stay in the star hotel which faces the coastline. There is a water sports complex located at Aberdeen jetty named Aberdeen water sports where rowing boats, Pedal boats, kayaks aqua cycle, aqua glides and bumper are available. There is also a small pool. People can enjoy water sports in deep sea.

A marine park is situated near Aberdeen jetty. This is the suitable place for family picnic and one can taste sea breeze. It is an amusement park. There is a toy train and a traffic park which explain traffic rules and road safety to children. A sound and light show takes place in the cellular jail where one can witness the gory sights of the Britishers fortune both in Hindi and in English at specific times. Tickets are sold at the entrance of the jail. The Sipicot central agricultural research form which belongs to the central government is near port Blair, about 14 kms away from the city. This centre cultivates experimental crops, vegetables, essences and perfumes. The area is on a stretch of about 80acres. Researchers are made on sea creatures and fishers too.

Wandoor Beach and Mahatma Gandhi marine national park is a beautiful locale located 29km away from port Blair. Mahatma Gandhi marine national park has been constructed on these islands which stretch about 281.50gq.km. People come across coral reefs, deep sea animals and mangrove forests here. Pristine coastline adds beauty to the beach. Tourists will surely love the fun here.

A small port charters boats to Jolly buoy and Red skin Islands. The Jolly buoy and red skin islands are port of the mahatma Gandhi Park. Clean sands and swimming pools add fun to these islands. The water is clear and transport. Lots of fish of various colour swim across without fear of humans. Life style of deep sea creatures can be observed. It is a half day trip. Tourists must take food and water along with them. Mount Harriet, a big mountain about 55km away from port Blair, raised about 365 m from sea level. One has to travel to Pamp Plot by boat and travel 15 km by car. Phoenix Bay is the starting point for the boats to Ferry to bamboo plot. The Governor of the British Empire spent his summer on this mountain. The whole Government too functioned here during the British rule. This is a place filled with fantastic atmosphere, Verdant forests, solitude, blue skies, visible pristine sea coasts are rare spots from this mountain. This mountain is a favourite place for private time seekers and it is also a creator’s paradise. The mountain has a government tourist home also.

Ross Island which is opposite to Aberdeen jetty was the capital city during the British rule. Now this is a part of the naval force. It’s near phoenix bay. The Island can be reached through cruises. Some of the ruins built by the British officials still remain. A museum named ‘Smrithka’ maintained by the naval force is also located here. Photo copies of letters written by British officials, photographs and detailed documentary about the Island are found in the museum. Due to earthquakes, some parts of the Island are sinking. The Island might completely get sunk after some years. The tourists can find deer and peacocks in abundance in this Island. It is pleasant during day time. There is a graveyard for the Britishers. The island is completely surrounded by coconut palms. It also whispers woeful tales of the past.

Chidiya Tapu which is in south Andaman is located 26 km away from Port Blair. The forests here are dense and have a beautiful coastline. This is a village fully populated with birds. The sunset amidst the mountains is awesome. The favourite sports in Chidiya Tapu are snorkeling and boat riding. The industrial emporium in Sagarika is an emporium for wooden handicrafts undertaken by the government in Port Blair. Variety of furniture, wooden dolls, chairs, vessels made of wood, shell ornaments, walking sticks made of wood and ornamental lamps are exhibited in this emporium. The prices of the goods are cheap.

Gandhi Park is located near the Lieutenant Governor’s residence. It is also located near Shri Vetrimalai Murugan temple. The Gandhi Park is constructed in Dil Dhaman Lake. The park has an ancient Buddha Temple. There is also a statue of Gandhi in a seated position. Here children enjoy Giant Wheels, Bumper boats and Boat riding. This place is well suited for families to enjoy their weekends. There is a restaurant also in this park. Port Blair features cruise rides. From Port Blair, tourists and people of the Islands cruise to some Islands such as Ross Island, Hadoo, Panighat, Viper Island, Harbour and Floating Shipping yard.

Madhar Baba Durgah is located on the way to Corbyn’s Cove. It is believed that a person who wishes to get something will get it by the grace of the Baba. Animals’ sacrifices are common and devotees are served with meal. People come here irrespective of their cast and creed. Rangat-Cutbert Bay is in Middle Andaman which is about 170 kms away from Port Blair. The means of transports to this Bay are both by road as well as by boat. The population here is next to that of Port Blair. The village is surrounded by mountains. The place is serene and calm. Turtles lay eggs on the coast line of this village. There is both government as well as private resorts here.

Another picnic spot in Middle Andaman is Aam-Kunj Beach, a beach found in Rangat. This place is filled with commercial viability. Foreign tourists will surely have fun and enjoy this place. The waves in this beach are very high and strong. Maya Bunder, a dense forest about 240 kms away from Port Blair is in North Andaman. There is a harbour near by. Office of top police officials, government offices and educational institutions are here. This is a busy location. Karmatang Beach also in North Andaman is about 10 kms from Maya Bunder. The coastline is beautiful due to its white waves. A government tourist home ‘Yatrik Nivas”, is close to this beach.

Diglipur is also in North Andaman. One has to reach Diglipur by rowing to Kalighat from Maya Bunder and travel by bus to Diglipur. There is no roadway for 46 km. elephants cart the wooden logs to Diglipur. A dense forest has to be crossed to reach Diglipur. Bengalis are abundant here. Only few Tamilians dwell here. The Kalpang River has a hydro-electric power project. This place needs a day to enjoy. Havelock Island is in South Andaman. It is about 30 kms away from port Blair. There is no road transport. It is a peaceful island. The Havelock Island has Rudhanagar beach which is a natural one. Dense forests are found in the coastline. Elephants take bath and drink cool drinks. Nature lovers who love to live here all the time.

Neil Island is 32 kms away from Port Blair. One has to travel by boat to reach the island from Port Blair. It’s a very small island. Both Bengalis and Tamilians dwell here. Garden crops are found here and they are taken to Port Blair. People who love being alone would suit well to this place. Little Andaman is a bit far from port Blair and it requires small ships to travel to Little Andaman. The travel time is ten hours. Hut Bay is the capital city of Little Andaman. Here the head office of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Harbour and some other refugees from Bangladesh and Srilanka dwell. Farms, palms trees, are cultivated. Palm oil is extracted from the factories. There is a huge waterfall in the centre part of the island. The abode of the Nicobari tribes is Harmandar Bay a part of the island. The Ongi tribes live in Twank creek. Malaka is found in car Nicobar. A temple for lord Murugan is built on the coastline. A shrine built by the Tamils ‘Shri Gnana Dhandayudhapani’ is in Malaka. Christian tribes one populated here. A few Tamilians dwell here.

The boundary of Nicobar is Campbell Bay. The trip of Campbell Bay is called Indira point. It is 60 miles away from Indonesia. The actual and historical name for this place is Nakkavaram. Nakkavaram features in ancient Tamil literature. River Kalathiya runs here. Foreign turtles visit the Island. They come here to lay eggs and go back. The shore has Crocodiles. This Island is frequented by earthquakes and cyclones. Ex – Army men live here.

There is a tourism festival in the Islands. This is organized to encourage tourists to come in abundance. Before the festival starts decorations take place. At the time of the festival stalls are displayed both off government and private. The festival goes on for 10 days. We can find both North Indian, South Indian artists exhibit their talents in music, dance, poetry and debates. Every year the festival takes place during the second week of February. The inauguration of the festival is by a V.I.P from India. During these 10 days Port Blair will be crowded all the more.