Sun Sea Resort Port Blair

Reveil en sursaut a 1h30 pour prendre le taxi, enfin une Ambassadore mytique, nous filons vers Chennai pour prendre l'avion qui nous emmene vers Port Blair, aux iles Andaman, dans le Golfe du Bengale. 1er fou rire a l'arrivee car nous sommes les seuls blancs, et un service medicale pour est destine pour verifier si nous n'avons la grippe mexicaine, ou porcine, ou la A, enfin bref celle qui a mobilise le monde entier pour faire oublier la crise... Les gars sont equipes de masque ...

... exiled to the notorious Robben Island prison just as our own freedom fighters were sent to the Viper Island prison or the Cellular Jail. He too was subjected to the same kind of tortures meted out to our own freedom fighters - solitary confinement, hard labour, cruel punishment and humiliation. But, did he, during his confinement on Robben Island, chance upon ...

... good a walkthrough of those times as any. As our ferry leaves Ross Island, the Indian Navy's flag that flutters from a mast on the shore is what brings us back to the present day. The rest, as they say, is history. Lunch later, we realise we still have enough left of the afternoon. John suggests we look up the Anthropological museum before we set off for Chiriyatapu. After all, we only need reach there just before sunset - which is when the 'Bird ...

... quiet all around. A Nicobari hut, obviously a representation, cries out to be visited. We follow each other on the wooden stairs and take in the simplicity of the interiors of the round on top. A viewing gallery at the end of the ground, John said, is where we can get (on a clear day) good sightings of Port Blair and the other islands nearby. We walk past a well-manicured lawn with more resting eco-huts and watchtowers till we reach the elevated viewing ...

... outline of what we think is land. A deck-hand confirms our estimate - we are nearing Havelock Islands. 54kms north-east of Port Blair, this garden of Eden is 100 sq.kms. of pristine tropical forest. But it's what runs around it that makes people get up before dawn and endure a sleepy, two hour cruise to reach it - the lovely, sandy beaches! And it's these unspoilt, gorgeous beaches that adorn the albums and the memories of all those fortunate to ...

... Aberdeen bus station, willing the bus to come. It is still pitch dark and some of us harbour hopes of continuing with their slumber once inside the bus. At 3.30, we spot headlights approaching and, soon, settle down in our seats. Once you nod off, it will be hard to stay awake, we tell ourselves sleepily. Keeping that in mind, we keep ourselves awake. In about half an hour, day breaks and the landscape outside the window begins to brighten. We are on the ...

... service from none other than the manager! Our itinerary, as suggested by John and Saleem, is close to what we have in mind - but not entirely eye to eye. They have planned a day trip to Baratang to see the limestone caves, the mud volcano plus a bonus ride through the Jarawa reserve; a cruise to Wandoor; one to North Bay, Ross and Viper Islands; and a day's city tour. The first day's plan is just Corbyn Cove, the beach closest to the city and, possibly, the ...

... of direction. But no one likes a winger, or someone who feels sorry for themselves, so I clung to the words my dear old dad drummed into my head some time ago...'if you cant change it, dont give it any energy...worry about the things you can change!'. So that brought with it, it's on little dilemma. I knew i wanted to do something different, but what...well that was way too specific to ask me!! The feelers were out in every which ...

... There was smoking, drinking, playing cards, drinking games, fireworks, beach fires - basically something to do each night. My first few days were spent at the beach. We also managed to get beach volleyball going. the net was already there and we bought a ball. we would easily have ten or so playing each night for a couple of hours. Sport really is such a great way to meet people and have fun too. I decided to do my Padi diving course. I was ...

... suddenly waived. This caused great delight amongst the new arrivals.<br><br>They extended our permits for another ten days after studying our air tickets solemnly and we were free to go. The next morning we boarded a large ship leaving for Havelock. The weather was foul and a tropical storm looked imminent. On the dock below I watched a few fishermen play football with an alarmed-looking puffer fish. By five o'clock in the morning they had cancelled the sailing. By six fifteen we ...