Port Blair, Andaman Islands

The Andaman and Nicobar Archipelagoes lie over 600 miles off the coast of India in the Bay of Bengal.  They are a group of 572 islands, islets and rocks that are big and small, inhabited and uninhabited.  Covered in dense forest, the island is home to innumerable exotic birds and animals as well as a profuse growth of ferns and orchids.

The first Europeans settled here in the 18^th century, but malaria and hostile natives put a prompt end to the colony established by Lt. Archibald Blair.  The British returned, however, in the 19^th century, and like Australia, the Andaman Islands became a penal colony.  The archipelago was the final destination for Indian political prisoners.

The islands were occupied by the Japanese during world War II.  Though, tragically, many islanders were killed because of their alleged ties to the British.  By necessity the Andamans became self-sufficient in the area of fool production and constructed more roads.  After the war, British rule was restored, but the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, along with the rest of India, gained independence on August 15, 1947.

Today a Union Territory of India, the Andaman Islands have long been popular with divers and surfers.  The archipelago boasts crystalline waters, extensive coral reefs and, at Little Andaman Island, some of the finest waves in the Indian Ocean.  Port Blair, the territorial capital, is a pleasant and easygoing town.

We arrived around 12 noon and took the shuttle to “town.”  Of all the places we have been, unfortunately this was the worst.  The rain was torrential and the garbage was everywhere.  A friend of mine once said “when you go to India, look up.”  Enough said.  We got off the bus in the middle of a river and made our way up the street a few blocks.  After only 30 minutes we decided to go back to the ship.  We made our way back to where the shuttle parked which was not an easy task.  The streets were flooded and there was only an occasional piece of sidewalk.  By the time we got on the bus we were soaked to the skin.  Barbara & David never even got off the bus.   We leaved at 7:00 tonight heading southwest through the Bay of Bengal.