Ross & North Bay Island
6. The concluding part of the trip.... a day out to Ross and North Bay Islands. Generally, the trip to Ross and North Bay Island is one single excursion with about three hours break at North Bay and a two hours halt at Ross given to the travellers. That much of time is just about adequate and the trip is over in roughly five hours. Otherwise one can take a boat as a private conveyance and visit Ross at leisure and then watch the light and sound programme in the evening. We were told that the light n sound show here is superior to the one at the jail. Of course, unlike the depressing stories of jail, here they show the glamorous past.
North Bay Island- This beautiful island appears on the back of Rs 20 currency note. The lighthouse of the island can be seen from Port Blair and that part of the island is what has been printed on the currency bill. The island is a close neighbour of Port Blair and from our room at the resort, the lighthouse could be seen. The reason for such a pride of a place on national currency is the fact that underwater marine life here, esp corals, is one of the best in the world.It is supposed to be third best in the world or so. And yes, it doesn't disappoint you. Like mentioned before, do sea walk here and nowhere else. Since we had already done the activity, we settled for snorkeling and glass bottom boat ride in a sophisticated speed boat (Dolphin Boat). Another boat ride in a bigger boat with glass sidewalls in the submerged portion (Semi submarine Safari) is also available but we chose the faster, smaller and more good looking one! Keep enough money in cash if you have not booked activities in advance.
We had booked the Dolphin boat ride. Key is to get down from the boat, that carries about 200 pax, at the earliest and head straight for the counter where it is strictly first come, first served. It was a good experience, especially so since we were first to enter and were able to sit along the longer side of the oval seating arrangement that seats about 20 people at the most. The magnifying lens is huge and through that one can see beauty of shallow water corals. On board guide gives you a good run down on the life visible beneath the onlookers. The slow glide then ends with a joy ride and the activity gets over under an hour. Compared to Semi Submarine Safari (though we didn't take that) in a big boat, the experience is more intimate and attention given is personalised. They serve you a complimentary fruit juice pouch on board too.
Last time we did snorkeling was in the Red Sea at Sharm'al Sheikh in Egypt. That was a day-long event on a Lazy Boat. Here, however, it is a shorter and simpler event. Swimming or bathing is not allowed on the rocky beach here since the marine life begins at the beach itself, Due to the requirement of the sunlight, corals are seldom below 10 metres. We opted for a full face mask for better visibility and easier breathing. The guide takes you by your hand and while you float on the life jacket, he pulls you as he glides carefully on the sea bed, cautious enough not to damage the creatures who are so many and everywhere. This was again an intimate and WOW experience, much better than much more expensive one that we had had in a far land a few years ago. Must do. They provide a locker on payment to take care of your belongings when you are out in the water. As said before, sea walk must also be done here because of clearer waters and richer aqua.
We stood waiting for the boat as per the timing given but it was not seen anywhere. That was something very unusual in an otherwise a very punctual society. Finally it came and they gave the reason. A naval submarine had been crossing beneath the channel and all the traffic had been stopped for a while to ensure a safe passage to all. A short ride and we were at Ross Island!
Ross Island- Just a stone throw (not really though) from the jetty beneath the Cellular Jail Complex at Port Blair, is this small, little but fascinating island. When the occupiers came in, they had picked up this island as their administrative HQ. Since it is located very close to the cellular jail (and even before the jail came up, they had many prisoner already confined at Port Blair), the island afforded control and convenience. Hordes of prisoners were brought in everyday and the island was converted into a township with all the facilities that were available in any good European town of that era. The glamorous past is gone but many well preserved signs remain today. To a layman like me, the island is also a living memorial to the sweat and blood of so many unknown Indians who had the misfortune of working here as bonded prisoners.
The island was bombarded and then taken over during Japanese occupation but by that time, it had literally been vacated. Families had left by the time Jappos came calling!
Today, the island is held and managed and maintained by Indian Navy. There is a small fee with a further discount for guys and gals in uniform. The whole island can be walked around and seen in under an hour though they do offer battery cart rides to old and weak. As it happens with us, many young but 'weak' (due to obesity) were seen riding the carts. There is a pathway that literally encircles the island and along the path are many sign posts that explain the monuments around. No guide is actually needed nor there are any except one lady who wears a Defence Forces Commendation Card proudly.
The glorious past is gone but traces are still there and so are the signs of a battlefront. There are old churches, bakery, swimming pools (both fresh water and sea fed with later supposedly having an anti-sharks net), amphitheater (where they have the light and sound show), hospital, mortuary, graveyard of young mothers and infants, memorial, canteen and a small restaurant. Of course, a kulfi seller sits next to the entrance gate and helps one in fighting the fatigue!
North Bay Island- This beautiful island appears on the back of Rs 20 currency note. The lighthouse of the island can be seen from Port Blair and that part of the island is what has been printed on the currency bill. The island is a close neighbour of Port Blair and from our room at the resort, the lighthouse could be seen. The reason for such a pride of a place on national currency is the fact that underwater marine life here, esp corals, is one of the best in the world.It is supposed to be third best in the world or so. And yes, it doesn't disappoint you. Like mentioned before, do sea walk here and nowhere else. Since we had already done the activity, we settled for snorkeling and glass bottom boat ride in a sophisticated speed boat (Dolphin Boat). Another boat ride in a bigger boat with glass sidewalls in the submerged portion (Semi submarine Safari) is also available but we chose the faster, smaller and more good looking one! Keep enough money in cash if you have not booked activities in advance.
We stood waiting for the boat as per the timing given but it was not seen anywhere. That was something very unusual in an otherwise a very punctual society. Finally it came and they gave the reason. A naval submarine had been crossing beneath the channel and all the traffic had been stopped for a while to ensure a safe passage to all. A short ride and we were at Ross Island!
Ross Island- Just a stone throw (not really though) from the jetty beneath the Cellular Jail Complex at Port Blair, is this small, little but fascinating island. When the occupiers came in, they had picked up this island as their administrative HQ. Since it is located very close to the cellular jail (and even before the jail came up, they had many prisoner already confined at Port Blair), the island afforded control and convenience. Hordes of prisoners were brought in everyday and the island was converted into a township with all the facilities that were available in any good European town of that era. The glamorous past is gone but many well preserved signs remain today. To a layman like me, the island is also a living memorial to the sweat and blood of so many unknown Indians who had the misfortune of working here as bonded prisoners.
Today, the island is held and managed and maintained by Indian Navy. There is a small fee with a further discount for guys and gals in uniform. The whole island can be walked around and seen in under an hour though they do offer battery cart rides to old and weak. As it happens with us, many young but 'weak' (due to obesity) were seen riding the carts. There is a pathway that literally encircles the island and along the path are many sign posts that explain the monuments around. No guide is actually needed nor there are any except one lady who wears a Defence Forces Commendation Card proudly.
The glorious past is gone but traces are still there and so are the signs of a battlefront. There are old churches, bakery, swimming pools (both fresh water and sea fed with later supposedly having an anti-sharks net), amphitheater (where they have the light and sound show), hospital, mortuary, graveyard of young mothers and infants, memorial, canteen and a small restaurant. Of course, a kulfi seller sits next to the entrance gate and helps one in fighting the fatigue!
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