Amazing Andamans Day -2- Havelock Island

After amazing 1st day at Jolly buoy Island, came to know that few islands are unexplored and untouched. Must say Andaman & Nicobar is full of amazing nature beauty and stunning marine life. Port Blair is holding many treasures marine life, local tribes, forests, vegetation, fauna, etc. The museums of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are significant from not only national perspective but also from international perspective. The museums at Andaman and Nicobar Islands not only display facts on Indian freedom fighters but also brings into light the early local tribes whose off springs can still be traced deep into the jungles of the island groups. You cannot get the same presentation of facts on the Negroids and Mongloid tribes that existed here nor can you get the same memorial at the cellular jail that reflects the wrong doing of the British officials on the Indian freedom fighters. The museums around Andaman and Nicobar Islands have showcased every item of the past in a very pleasant way so that the viewer can understand everything clearly. The museums in Andaman and Nicobar Islands that you should not miss visiting are National Memorial or The Cellular Jail, Smritika Museum at Ross Island, Fisheries Museum and Anthropological Museum. They give you a brief insight of the past of the island groups.

Day 2 started with Port Blair museums and headed to Havelock Island.

First Half:

Chatham Saw Mill:

The Saw Mill is one of the biggest and oldest Saw Mill in Asia built. It lies on the small Island connected with the city by a bridge over the Sea. It is a store-house of timber like Padauk, Gurjan, Marble, Satin Wood, etc. This Mill was built by the British Govt. on 1883. This Island has the second biggest wharf for the inter-island & mainland shipping.Since 1970, a bulk of wood is supplied to the mill from Thailand, Myanmar and Malaysia. Considered to be important monuments of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.  

 

 Samudrika Naval Marine Museum:

The Samudrika at Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a treasure house of items that provide important information to the tourists about the geography and history of the Andaman Islands. This museum is an interesting collection of marine biodiversity throwing light onto the various types of fish, corals, conch shells etc. It affords you ample information regarding treasures lying deep within the Andaman Sea. Also, an interesting exhibit here is the blue whale skeleton. The Samudrika is under the administration of the navy. The Samudrika is therefore also referred to as the Naval Marine Museum. One of the attractions of the Samudrika of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a huge relief map of these islands.

Timings: 8.30 am to 12 noon and again from 2 pm to 5 pm.

Entry Fees: 10rs only, pay extra for camera.

Closing days: National Holiday and Monday.

Anthropological Museum:

The Anthropological Museum at Andaman and Nicobar Islands houses various photographs which showcase the living style of the above listed tribal people. There are many other items kept for display that reflect the cultural beliefs and traditions of the tribes of Andaman and Nicobar islands. The museum was established in the year 1975. Apart from the photographs, the museum also houses models made up of clay that display the types of houses, utensils, ornaments, equipment’s, clothes, etc. used by these tribes. You can visit Anthropological Museum at any time of the year. The museum remains closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Go and check out the lifestyles of the ancient tribes who can still be located deep inside the islands of Andaman and Nicobar.

Second Half:

The journey from Phoenix Bay Jetty (port) was awesome experience. View of open sea was amazing. It was around 2 – 3 hrs. Journey from Port Blair to Havelock Island. We spotted penguins around the journey too. It’s better to book tickets in advance. Our shop was 2 hrs late as per schedule. There are good facilities for waiting in Phoenix Bay need not worry.

Havelock Island:

Havelock Island an independent Island is about 38 Kms from Port Blair, that’s provides idyllic resort in the lap of virgin beach and unpolluted environment. Largest island of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Havelock Island is known for its pristine beaches, coral reefs and great scuba diving experience. Havelock Island is named after Major Gen Sir Henry Havelock, a prominent British Army official during colonial times. The most beautiful beach in Havelock is the Radhanagar Beach which was ‘Best Beach in Asia’ by Time in 2004. Other beaches that are worth visiting are Elephant Beach and Vijaynagar Beach. Mid-January until mid-May sees the best weather, and often the best diving conditions. There are SBI and Axis Bank ATM in Havelock Island, but do not depend upon that. Since it was not working when we went. We checked in El Dorado Beach resort and relaxed for some time and headed to towards Radhanagar Beach. All most all items on Havelock are bit costly. Since it is a small island away from Port Blair.

Radhanagar Beach:

One of the cleanest beach I ever been. The blue sea, silky white sand, exotic forest around, Romance, Sunset it’s like a painting on canvas. A perfect place for Honeymoon!!!. It’s very difficult to stop our self from entering into the blue sea. There are changing rooms available at beach. Sunset is very early at Island, make sure you reach before 5PM to spend some time in Beach. Sunsets are mesmerizing to watch but keep track of time and catch the last bus if you are not staying close to the beach. There are auto-rickshaws and shared 4×4 jeeps available for transport to and from Radhanagar Beach. Radhanagar Beach is also known as beach number 7.

Radhanagar Beach

We stayed in "EL Dorado Beach Resort", which was in perfect location, the ambiance and the decoration of the hotel was very attractive. It was not very near to the bus stand. The surrounding of the hotel was fine. Hotel food was really good both south and north Indian dishes. There was no extra activity in the hotel. They did not arrange a sightseeing trip. Hotel rooms were not clean enough, not worth to money. EL Dorado Beach Resort is located on Beach No. 5 at Vijaynagar in Havelock, Andaman & Nicobar. The nearest airport is in Port Blair which is accessible from Havelock by ferry service. The property is 2 km from Havelock Jetty.

El Dorado Beach Resort

Dont forget to have Anju coco restaurant,which serves delicious foods. Nice atmosphere, awesome food and service make you feel good, dinner is highly recommended. Liquor is not available, so those who wants to drink may avoid this place. The building is unpretentious - essentially a hall with only half walls, with bamboo mats above that. The restaurant is good in serving sea food and non-vegetarian delicacies. The place is well maintained in all respects.  Anju Coco is mostly filled with foreigners and tourists who are spotted having a gala time with their own groups. Service is good yet again happy hours test the serves to the limit. All-in-all a wonderful restaurant and it meets the expectation being an island restaurant. 

Why Not stay on Honeymoon for life ?     
  Details of Day 1 :                                                                                                                                http://www.thetravelreminiscences.in/2015/02/amazing-andamans-day-1-jolly-buoy-island.html