Hotel Megapode Nest Port Blair

... through the bazaar was slow because of the condition of the walkway, the piles of merchandise on the edge of the walk, and the large amount of people that were moving both in and out of the small shops, around the merchandise, and up and down the hill that was the bazaar. We came upon a shop selling grains of various types. It was hard to tell exactly what type of grain or seed they were selling because of the layer of flies that swarmed around all food on the street. Clothing, toys ...

... that. We aren't feeling or smelling our best and we've still got a 2.5hr ferry ride to get to our final destination, Havelock Island. But once there we will be mainly scuba diving and hopefully surfing - Chris has agreed to try and help me beyond my current level of Standing-up-once-in-Cornwall-years-ago, so we're really looking forward to it. There is apparently no internet on Havelock Island, so we will probably be off air for some time. Love to all x

... The scene is truly spectacular - one you can't resist taking away, manually and digitally. It is dark by the time we approach Port Blair, but not late enough for John to squeeze in a final stopover - at Jogger's Park. Overlooking the town, the park is at a relatively high point to take in the sights around on late evenings that you don't want to spend inside your hotel room. It has been a long day but we have seen a lot, without having to rush ...

... built near the sea, transportation of load between the wharf and the mill must have been the reason for the choice of location. We are a little tentative as we enter the mill and walk into the midst of the workers and their action. The noise levels inside, coupled with the sight of the menacing saw blades are enough to make you squeamish. It is more like watching a trailer of the Texan chainsaw massacre. Seasoned mill workers are going about their jobs ...

... themselves have been named rather effortlessly. At Havelock, they talk about Beach no.7 or Beach no.5 or Beach no.3 as if they were upgraded versions of some computer software. But, just to get the numbers correct, it's Beach no.7 that rules! Even a full day spent there leaves you wishing for more - as we are about to realise. Tomorrow, we plan to head for Elephant Beach, which is where the snorkelling and the scuba diving action is. We are a little ...

... civilised folk and their cultured behaviour! The rest of the journey back to Port Blair is without event. We drive into town at about 8pm, passing the airport on the way, eventually alighting at the Gandhi statue near Aberdeen Bazaar. M/s Saleem and John are patiently waiting for us, munching desultorily on some roasted groundnuts. They ride on ahead on their bike to meet us at the hotel to discuss the next day's plans. We have a 6.30am ferry to ...

... one on your right grabbing your attention. This is the one that is open to the public and this is the backdrop to the Sound & Light show. But just behind the rows of chairs laid out for the show, there is a peepal tree. You would be pardoned for missing it, taking it to be just another tree in the compound. But then, there aren't many trees left here now. And this one, this is more than just flora. This is history, a mute witness to all that happened ...

... past countless ski slopes that just made you want to buckle up. during the days there, I made good friends with Danial, a young mexican who was also part of the group, here to see if he can not join the school on a scholarship. talking to him and confirming some of the seemingly unbelievable stories, made me decide to take up the offer of flying to the emirates to check things out and see if i might be interested in the job. So after a ...

... tournament which resulted in no fish being caught that day thus disgruntling several tourists) and the school before finally petering out into a sticky jungle track of red earth.

Despite the idyllic setting that confronted us we had been warned by previous visitors of a number of menaces to look out for. Like all information in this part of the world though the validity seemed to sway in the breeze and we often heard contradictory or downright opposite evidence. "Look out ...

... because the local officials don't allow foreigners to run (profitable) businesses. This frustrating and counterproductive phenomenon seems to be widespread in the Andamans (if not all of India). I heard a story about a businessman from Madras who brought out a ship to the Andamans and did a good job at carting away all the millions of empty plastic water bottles that litter the beaches before turning them into profit as scrap plastic. Of course, this couldn't continue ...