Amazing Andaman-Photo Essay 3

Hi,
Resuming my photo essay on Andaman Islands.I plan to cover Jollybuoy Island and Mount Harriet of Andaman in this essay.
Jollybuoy Island is a very small island and they maintain a strict eco vigilance in this island.The hues of the water here is breathtaking.

Hues of Jollybuoy waters,Andaman 

From Portblair ,we have to travel to wandoor jetty by road for 45 minutes and take a boat  to Jollybuoy Island.Boat ride is superb, we pass through rich mangrove forests bordering on both sides of the Sea water.
Real Jolly ride.

Scenery during boat ride to Jollybuoy,Andaman

Huge Green trees are real feast to eyes.

Huge trees enroute Jolly buoy, Andaman

In some places the contrast in Natural shades is very beautiful and pleasant.Picturesque.

Enroute Jollybuoy Island,Andaman

Marshy Mangroves enroute Jolly buoy,Andaman

Jolly buoy Island from a distance,Andaman

Jollybuoy Island has got a very narrow strip of beach and more dangerous water currents.Will deal with it in detail in my travelogue.
Corals and Fishes are abundant in this protected zone,so best for snorkeling and glass bottom rides.

Full view of Jolly buoy,Andaman

Lovely shades of water as it gradually turns from transparence to turquoise blue to deep blue.Just mesmerising.Must visit place of Andaman.

Mesmerising shades of Jollybuoy,Andaman

Next is Mount Hariet visit.It was slightly raining on the day of our visit but still it was a welcome change from blues to greens.Thick emerald trees en route to Mt hariet were nodding their heads  happily welcoming the sprinkling showers from clouds.
To reach Mt Harriet,you take a boat ride from port blair which also acts as a carrier for vehicles.

Boat to Mount Harriet,Andaman

Road travel towards Mount Harriet is very beautiful.The photo in the back of twenty rupees Indian rupee note was captured in this spot.North Bay light House is visible from this place and coconut trees bordering the scene is really Superb.

The scene behind Indian twenty rupee note,Mount Harriet,Andaman

The peak is also beautiful with a well maintained garden,small nicobari hut and different view points which allows you to take snaps.

Mount Harriet,Andaman

Mount Harriet offers magnificient views from a height.Different types of flowers and trees are real treat to a botany lover.

View from Mount Harriet,Andaman

Route to Mount Harriet ,Andaman

So...Friends...I ve completed all 3 photo essays on Andaman.But still I feel that these photos cannot do justice to the splendid beauty of Andaman.This is just a glimpse of the Amazing and beautiful Andaman.See you soon with lots of details and our interesting experience during our trip to Andaman in my travelogues.Bye for now.CU soon.

AAP's Victory- Stunning Victory of a Common Man!

Hi,
Taking a small break from my Photo Essays and Travelogues of Andaman.Would like to celebrate the Victory of a Common Man in Indian Politics.Yesterday was a cool Sunday with hot reverberations in our National Capital ;-) :-).
While gorging hot crispy Adais lazily ,I was watching Election Results with a laid back attitude.It was Arnab Goswami or Rajdeep Sardesai for me.( I stopped watching NDTV after Nira radia Tapes Leak).With the scores trickling slowly,suddenly my eyeballs grabbed the score of AAP and it was a sweet surprise.Wow! At last Indian Voter has woken up.In spite of my political preferences,I was happy to see the Common Man with a Broom vroooomm...ing to the altar of Power(Unfortunately he couldn't reach the magical figure).
The suave, stylish politicians who brushed aside AAP's presence with a snobbish "Who is Arvind Kejriwal" before elections had to swallow the bitter pill and confine themselves in their posh Bungalows to avoid snooping paparazzi crowd ;-).What a shocker!This is more thrilling than a Masala Movie yaar!.
A famous editor who was sitting as a panelist for election analysis, was visibly disturbed by the emergence of AAP because of his loyalty to Congress ,( he owed his loyalty  because Vajpayee's PMO raided his office twice :-) ,He himself admitted this in Tmes Now Newshour debate with a wine goblet in his hand ;-) :-)), He was compelled to sing the chorus in hailing AAP' s victory:-) .It was a real comedy.Why to single him out?.Many posh and elite panelists in various TV shows had to sing the chorus of the common man along with him(Mainly because of their Anti Modi Stand ;-) ,not because of  support to the common Man).Funny panelists of Indian Media!
If they were very much worried of the common man's woes all these days,Where were they hiding when lots of scams broke out?.They knew that their doles will be cut if they talk out openly against the regime.Then how can they continue with their Stylish Lifestyle which they enjoy  today.
I would like to ask these panelists a very simple question,Do any of these people venture into the vegetable market or Grocery shops to buy daily needs to fill the bellies of their tired and hungry children waiting in the homes for the stoves to be lit?.Do any of them worry about the future of the kids,pension less old age like a normal middle class man?.They can't.It is very easy to use fancy words in discussions and writing articles about a common man's suffering but living in their shoes is really difficult..The soaring vegetable prices,Petrol,Diesel and all necessary items have caused enormous burden on the slender shoulders of the common man who always is in the receiving end of these politicians,who with their enormous selfishness and never ending greed indulge in corruption,waste hard earned tax money paid by the salaried class by announcing some stupid schemes which never reach the common man and ultimately shed crocodile tears during Elections.
Today the common man has woken up from his deep slumber.He wants his voice to be heard.He wants to tell the world that he cannot be corrupted by distribution of booze and freebies before the Poll day.It is not only educated voters who have voted for AAP. AAP's vote share cuts barriers of castes,creed,economic background,religion.What a superb verdict by a common man! Lovely! Kudos to Common Man.
In spite of the fake sting operation conducted on AAP leaders(I would like to say that 90% of sting operations are fake)  by some selfish self styled journos,AAP has won!This is a proof that the common man is not very much bothered about silly stings when their day to day  livelihood and expenses are stinging venomously on them in the form of price rise.Sting operations can be a fodder for News channels but not for a common man.
Irony is ,those who came to power with Aam Aadmi slogan are routed by the Aam Aadmi party.:-)
Let the Aam Aadmi can be called as 'Mango Man' with a light hearted banter ;-) :-) by the powerful people of Delhi corridors,but he is the one who decides the fate of powerful and mighty.
AAP ka Victory is HAMARA Victory! Enjoying this moment with contentment and happiness because this will pave way for a good democracy free of corruption and political chameleons.Thank you AAP for strengthening Common Man.

Amazing Andaman- Photo Essay 2

Hi,presenting my 2 nd Photo Essay on our Andaman Visit.I plan to cover Havelock Island in this Photo Essay. Havelock Islands are in South Andaman.One of the most beautiful and a MUST visit place in Andaman.
We reached Havelock Island  by speed boat Makruzz.It was a turbulent journey for me.After reaching Havelock,I regained my enthusiasm at the very first sight of the jetty and surrounding clean waters.Could see the Sea bed clearly.Beautiful.

Havelock Jetty,Andaman

Havelock is a small island which consists of beautiful beaches and resorts.We stayed in Holiday Inn Resort which was near Vijaya nagar Beach.

Holiday Inn resort  from Beach side,Havelock Islands,Andaman

Details and Feed back on Holiday Inn resort will follow in my Travelogue.Now I am giving glimpses on Havelock Island which is one of the most beautiful place in Andaman.
Vijay nagar Beach is located in eastern coast of Havelock,If you are lucky enough and plan your trip according to phases of moon,you get to see a beautiful turquoise blue water near the resort itself.

VijayNagar Beach,Havelock Islands,Andaman

The water is clear and during low tides ,if you venture into the Sea which is strewn with small rocks you get to see lots of shells, small corals in ankle deep water.

Intricate designs on a small  coral.

This small coral  was found in Vijay nagar beach Sea during low tide.This is a clear testimony of clarity of water,because this coral was captured under water.

Vijay Nagar Beach,Havelock Islands,Andaman

Since it is in the east coast of Havelock you get to see the Sunrise(if you wish to sacrifice your precious early morning sleep;-) ).Sunrise is around 4.45 am :-).
Radhanagar Beach is one of the major attraction in Havelock.Its vast expanse of shoreline,shallow water makes it a good place for playing and swimming around.White sand ,clear water and beautiful sunset adds to the attraction.

Radhanagar Beach,Havelock Islands,Andaman

 Tourists wait till the Sunset to catch the glimpse of beautiful fiery orange falling in the distant horizon painted with different hues of red,crimson and yellow.Awesome.

Sunset at Radhanagar beach,Havelock Islands,Andaman

 If sunset in Radhanagar is rich and opulent for its wide angle view,Sunrise in vijayanagar offers a raw,rugged but splendid version of the orange ball popping out of the Sea.

Sunrise in Vijaya nagar Beach,Havelock Islands,Andaman

White sand with sparkling golden particles ....Magnificient.
During havelock stay we cannot miss Elephant beach which is famous for clear waters,Sea walk and snorkeling.

Elephant Beach as seen from  a distance,Andaman

 Elephant beach is a small narrow stretch of white sand with lots of trees as any other island of Andaman.
Sea walk can be tried in this beach.From this beach they take us in a small boat  to a bigger boat from which Sea walk diving is done.Amazing experience.

Boat from which Sea walk diving takes place

 We returned by coastal cruise to Havelock.It was a less turbulent journey for me.

Coastal Cruise,Havelock Islands,Andaman

I ll come back after a very short break with my third photo essay on Andaman.still my memories  floating in the waves of Andaman.CU soon.

Amazing Andaman- Photo Essay 1

Islands studded amidst blue water,Andaman & Nicobar.

Hi,Back from the beautiful Andaman Islands.Still in the hangover mood about the picturesque piece of heaven planted on earth by nature.Wanted to refresh again the memories of turquoise blues,greens,corals shells...So started writing the series of Photo Essays on Andaman.I am planning to write travelogue also .


Even before landing at Port blair you get to see these lovely bits of small islands surrounded by different blue colours.Breathtaking views.Please request for a window seat in the flight.If you don't get a window seat,peep over your co passenger's head for these views.Never mind his/her irritation :-) View is worthier than his/her irritation.:-)

Small islands popping out of the Sea,Andaman&Nicobar

Large portion of this land, especially sand was submerged under water,leaving trees and greenery emerging out of the blue waters..Colours of the water...purples,blues .. Amazing.

Aberdeen Jetty near Rajiv Gandhi water sports complex is quite busy around morning 9.00 am because different boats take off from here for destinations like North bay,Ross Island ,Viper land etc.Look forward to my travelogues for more details.

Aberdeen Jetty ,Port blair,Andaman.

North Bay Island is reached  by boat from Port Blair.It takes around 30 minutes by boat.Water sports is the major attraction in North Bay because of its corals.There is no Proper beach as such in North Bay Island.

North Bay Island,Andaman.

Ross Island which is very near to Port Blair is the erstwhile capital of  Andaman during British Rule. Ruins of the old buildings serve as the remainders of the lavish lifestyle of the Britishers.

Ross Islands,Andaman.

When the foreign rulers lived a happy luxurious lives in Ross Island,dreadful cellular jail was built in Port Blair on a raised site which overlooks the Ross Islands.Cellular jail is dedicated as National Memorial as a mark of respect to the Freedom fighters.

Ross Islands as seen from Cellular Jail Terrace,Port Blair,Andaman.

One of the dark,terrible chapters of Indian Freedom Struggle was written in the form of Cellular Jail which was constructed for housing Freedom fighters as prisoners.Many Fighters became martyrs in the gallows and unhealthy environment of Cellular jail.This memorial stands as the mute witness to all those brutalities.A great Salute to all the Freedom Fighters.

Cellular Jail Entrance,Port Blair,Andaman.

Cells in the Jail,Port Blair,Andaman.

Cellular Jail was dedicated to the Nation by late honorable Prime Minister Morarji Desai.
The construction of prison started in 1896 and got completed in 1906.Even today the sight of the cells in the jail instills a sense of fear as well as reverence in us.

Light and Sound Show in Cellular Jail,Port Blair,Andaman.

I wind up the first photo essay for now.Will cu very soon with the photo essays and detailed travelogues about our exciting trip.

Battle for Water-Loo!!!!!! ;-) :-) Problem of Toilets on Indian Roads!

Hi Friends! Blogging after a long break!
Warning :- If you think that this post is about Napolean Bonaparte, SORRY!

This post is about the importance of clean Loo (Arre! Toilets yaar :-)) and rest areas on the Indian roads.
One of the worst nightmare ;-) for a road traveler in India is the Water less Loos ;-) & Sometimes No Loo :-)  in emergency conditions. Come on friends! Nature's call is inevitable for all humans ,of course for animals too:-) But animals have great privilege of attending their calls any where and any time. ;-) and sadly it is not the case with Human species :-). So it is OK if we discuss it here.Right?
Road Travel is always wonderful,sliding through the mountains,watching different hues of the sky while stuffing the stomach with different varieties of solids and liquids :-) The problem rises only when the bowels start misbehaving because of the strange combinations of input taken due to excitement and good company :-).And If travelers have Health problems like Irritable Bowel syndrome,.......ooooohhh!
That's when we start searching for rest areas,and journey which follows will be a real turbulent one till we find a good one :-) !
If you are real lucky ,then you land up ;-) in a good one, and if stars are not in your favour, .....:-) can expect a tough time.

Trigger for this post : My recent Road Trip to Pilgrimage towns like Pandharpur,Akkalkot,Tulzapur and gangapur (all are near Solapur).These towns are not at all maintained well.Felt bad for being a helpless devotee.Can devote 100 blogs on the negligence of hygiene etc.Real pathetic condition.Let me not digress from the main topic.Toilets.....Highway was beautiful,Scenery around bumpy,spine breaking ;-) roads towards gangapur was lovely.Everything was lovely till I wanted Rajen to stop the car in a good location to attend the nature's call.No rest areas on the roads,even the existing toilets on the roadside on some roadside hotels/dhabas were of such conditions that  I didn't dare to venture there for the fear of filthy maintenance.In rural areas I saw many persons carrying a small pot of water and disappearing into the fields or No man's lands;-) So I  gathered some courage and requested  Rajen to stop in some scenic place ;-) to attend the call.He graciously accepted :-) my request and was about to stop the car in a beautiful ;-) :-) locale ...oooohhhh...a black snake of 3 feet length crossed the road in a speed like that of Usain Bolt's sprint. Reptile phobia in me is so great,and mere thought of getting  kissed by a reptile :-) gave me strength to overcome the emergency situation like a true warrior :-) and at last had to rush into our house at end of the trip:-).
But an after thought on this entire episode leads to a rather different dimension.I had an alternative,i.e., to wait till I reached my house.What about other people in rural areas who don't have clean toilets in their houses.There are many people who die of snake bites during defecation in fields.

We, in India have a huge population of unemployed youth.Why don't we tap their potential in hygiene industry.One solution is to make the jobs lucrative by paying hefty salary to the hygiene workers like sweepers,and persons who maintain toilets. There should be a proper training for these persons ,equip them  with all cleaning accessories and should be taught to use disposable eco friendly hand gloves to safe guard them against diseases.There is no point in building skyscrapers,Tech parks,Swanky shopping malls when we have not cared for the very basic need of rural people of India.Ok Friends! CU in next post!