Trip to Andamans

3.   Havelock Island. This is a must see, feel and stay! There is a ferry service (both govt and pvt) and a chopper service too. The difference between govt run and pvt ones (both have fixed timings) is the matter of vintage and speed. You may take Makruzz cruise that starts at a respectable time of about 0800h and reaches soon after the early morning one that has a slower speed but starts pretty early. On Makruzz, try and book first class seat (only few) if you want to go out on the deck. Otherwise, the Premium segment is good enough. Cafe charges twice the MRP (simple calculations) and serves basic snacks. The breakfast from the hotel can also be consumed on board.     We were lucky enough (or kind courtesy our tour operator) to have first row seats on to and fro journeys bu despite clear announcements and requests and instructions, people crowd around the wind screen and screw up every one else's happiness. Luckly, such an exuberance was not there on our return jour...

                The Starter -  For those who haven't cared to check till now, it may dawn as a realisation that Andaman & Nicobar (A&N) Islands are two distinct demo-graphical and geographical segments within the territory that is colloquially referred to as one single entity. In fact, administratively, these two segments, together, make what is called A&N Island Union Territory of the country but as far as demo-graphical make up is concerned, two distinct population mixes inhabit these groups of islands. More can be read about them on the net. From pure traveller's perspective, while most of Andaman part if open, barring a forest reserve and few islands where tribals, dating back to Paleolithic era, still live in more or less original way, Nicobar part is simply out of bounds without official permits that are difficult to get. Overall, there are 572 islands but only 38 are permanently inhabited and a few are simply out of bound...