Andaman Islands -4

Havelock

On the third day, our plan was to visit Havelock Island, the most famous tourist spot in the Andamans. It is an Island situated around 50 kilometers away from Port Blair. There are a number of ships plying between Port Blair and Havelock. Ships take 90 minutes to 4 hours to reach there. The fastest ship reaches in 90 minutes and it is the most sought after cruise in Andaman. We too booked three tickets to travel by this ship though it was a little expensive.

At the Jetty to catch the ship

By the third day of our visit, monsoon gained more momentum and the weather turned rougher. The ship was resheduled to start 2 hours later. This had upset our itenerary. We had to call off the visit to Haveloc Island. An ocean of grief was the result of this act. The dam had broken and the sorrow gushed out in the form of hot tears. My kid was unconsolable. He had been dreaming of a ship journey. A little inncoent heart would have built many a beautiful picture of a swaying vessel in the deep sea. His disappointment found vent like tears. The scene will never fade away from the memories of  his parents. A visit to Havelock is pending and so does a cruise on a ship. Even after 4 years after this incident, we could not fulfil his wish yet.

Havelock is a hotspot for tourists due to beautiful beaches, scuba diving and snorkling. Recently, a very interesting item is added to the atractions in the island. Sea bed walking. Tourists are taken to the sea bed by trained divers and then helped walking there. It must be thrilling. The cost per person to experience this thrill is something around Rs 4000. To know more about it, click the link : http://sealinkadventures.com/.


Plan well, book tickets in advance on ship and enjoy the trip to Havelock in a laid back manner. It is possible if we plan it properly. One day trip will be too hectic. If it is planned for a minimum of two days, we can enjoy the beauty of Havelock to its full majesty. But rememer, staying in Havelock over night may result in a big hole in our purse

This bus carried us to Billiground

 Monsoon played spoil sport in our joy. We retreated to our guest house room. On the next day, we embarked on a long journey. A journey to meet a college day buddy who lives 200KM north of Port Blair. There are two trips by buses from Port Bliar to Billiground everyday. We boarded the bus at 11 in the morning. By 12, it reached the check post. From there, vehicles must move in a convoy. We are about to pass through an area protected by the government to save the ethnic identity of a handfull of people.

This Board displayes the timings of the convoy

Jarawa is an ethnic group consisting of some 180 odd men, women and children. They are facing extinction due to various reasons and the government is all out to protect them. No outsiders are permitted to encroach into their territory. Those who enter their area must exit with the knowledge of the authorities. The check post opens at fixed timings and a gun totting policeman sits in the first vehicle of the convoy. All other vehicles are expected to follow this till the other end of this protected area.

We could see a few tribal men and women during this journey. Jarawas generally do not wear clothes. However, due to advent of cultural invation from all sides, these people started covering the private parts. On sighting these people, everyone on the bus started scrambling for a look at these people. It looked as if people frantically looking for a rare animal that has suddenly appeared in an animal sanctury! These human beings were made mere show pieces for the people from the more civilized land. Honestly, I too hung out my neck to have a glimpse of the Jarawa men and women.



There is a big board inscribed with 'Ten Commandments' at the check post Do not interact with Jarawas...do not offer food to them...do not stop vehicle...do not take pictures.../Government's sincereity is understandable. The dwindling population of a tribe need to be protected. But, I am not convinced about the method the government adopts. What is the logic behind keeping an entire people in perpetual isolation? Shouldn't they study physics, maths, economics and history and join the main stream? Shouldn't they be exposed to the modern life style? How can we afford to keep them insulated from a civilized living?

They throng on the road sides. They even stand on the road. The policeman inside our bus had to coarse them to clear the way for the bus. The tour operators take the visitors to the Jarawa Area in the name of taking them to a mud volcano. Mud volcano is another attraction in Andamans. The real motive behind this trip is usually to exibit the sparcely clothed human beings. The tourist vehicles are slowed down upon spotting the Jarawas and the tourists are allowed to take photographs. Despite all govermental restrictions everything illegal happens there. Internet is galore with photos and videos of Jarawas. Google Jarawa on the net. Shocking pictures are lined up there.

Read more about Jarawas : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jarawa_people_(Andaman_Islands)

 

 

No doubt, as long as the highway that connects North Andaman and Port Blair and the babudom's apathy continue, the belogueared tribe will be at the mercy of a handful of crazy tour operators and their customers...