Neil Island, Andaman
Showing posts with label Leisure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leisure. Show all posts

Saturday 25 November 2023

Barog

We planned on a whim. We were looking for an outing with our pet golden retriever Leo and found a highly recommended AirBnB called Red Roof Homestay in Barog where we booked two nights stay. Barog is less than 7 hours from Gurgaon. We did not want to test our Leo for longer travel for our first trip together.

View from our bedroom

Sunday 6 August 2023

Phuket

Krabi - Koh Samui - Phuket

Phuket has the best of both the worlds. Families can plan vacation in and around Phuket while loners can stay for days around Bangla Street and not get bored. We were on a boys trip but we did both. It was a seven day planned itinerary that we were following that included Krabi, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Phi Phi & Phuket.

Sunset @ Patong Beach

Thursday 3 August 2023

Koh Samui

Krabi - Koh Samui - Phuket

Koh Samui is for party and leisure. The island brims with vacation air. Adjacent Koh Phangan island has become the biggest full moon party destination which attracts more and more tourists to this bustling town year over year. We were here around such a full moon party and witnessed the grandiose night unfold.

Fireworks @ Haad Rin Full Moon Party

Wednesday 2 August 2023

Krabi

Krabi - Koh Samui - Phuket

Krabi was a stopover. There are few attractions in Krabi although if you include day tours of Phi Phi and Hong Island you can actually plan a three day itinerary. We were here for just a night and so we decided to make the most of it without planning anything far.

Ao Nang Beach, Krabi

Wednesday 12 April 2023

Pangong

The road from Nubra to Leh is picturesque. Add to that the promise of seeing the expanse of Pangong Lake, no wonder we were thrilled. The road conditions are not very good because firstly it’s not strategic and secondly there is a road expansion going on around Pangong. We still enjoyed the long hours on the road as the landscape kept changing.

Frozen Pangong Tso

Tuesday 11 April 2023

Nubra

We started at 9 for Nubra and reached Khardungla by 11. At a height of 18000ft, Khardungla is a major tourist destination. For the first time we were among the snow capped hills. It was time for a hot cup of tea and a lot of photographs. We took photos in all permutations and combinations before starting downhill for the Nubra Valley.

Khardungla Pass

Monday 10 April 2023

Leh

Leh - Nubra - Pangong

  • Only postpaid works in Leh. The internet and connectivity is good even in Nubra and Pangong.
  • Take it easy on the first day. At 12000ft, the quick altitude change is challenging even to the healthy.
  • Better to book a cab for the entire time of stay. Khardungla, Nubra and Pangong all need vehicle.
  • May & June are the busiest seasons. We enjoyed the tranquillity of April. Frozen Pangong was a bonus.
We literally reached Leh in no time. I remember taking a call from my wife at Leh airport when she was thinking I am still at Delhi airport. Something so exotic is so accessible was a surprise. I generally prefer window seat and was thoroughly rewarded on our one hour flight to Leh with ice capped mountain view and amazing Himalayan landscape.

View of Leh from Shanti Stupa

Friday 2 December 2022

Andaman’s Day 9: Port Blair

    Andaman’s: Day 1 - Day 2 - Day 3 - Day 4 - Day 5 - Day 6 - Day 7 - Day 8 - Day 9

    Next day we rented a two-wheeler for Wandoor Beach which is an hour away from Aberdeen Bazar. We crossed the airport on the way. It was refreshing to drive along the sea taking in all the greenery and beauty. Wandoor Beach was quiet and welcoming. We just sat the the beachfront and enjoyed the waves.

    Wandoor Beach entrance

    Thursday 1 December 2022

    Andaman’s Day 8: Port Blair

      Andaman’s: Day 1 - Day 2 - Day 3 - Day 4 - Day 5 - Day 6 - Day 7 - Day 8 - Day 9

      Next day early in the day we went for Bose Island where most of the cavalry and all of the British officers used to live during the Raj days. Now most of the buildings are in ruins. It is still a beautiful island with deers roaming freely. We took a ferry from Marina Park Jetty which hardly takes 10 minutes and runs every half hour.

      Ruined buildings at Bose Island

      Wednesday 30 November 2022

      Andaman’s Day 7: Port Blair

        Andaman’s: Day 1 - Day 2 - Day 3 - Day 4 - Day 5 - Day 6 - Day 7 - Day 8 - Day 9

        We woke up in the dark not to leave for Port Blair. One visit was left. In the dark we started for Sitapur Beach which is the eastern-most point on Neil Island. We were on the clock. The sun was about to rise in 10 minutes and we were still fending in the dark. Somehow we reached the beachfront only to find a large crowd was already there.

        Sunrise @ Sitapur Beach

        Tuesday 29 November 2022

        Andaman’s Day 6: Neil Island

          Andaman’s: Day 1 - Day 2 - Day 3 - Day 4 - Day 5 - Day 6 - Day 7 - Day 8 - Day 9

          Next day we promptly reached Bharatpur Beach at 11 and waited for the tide to rise the water level. Since this is the only beach where venturing into sea is allowed, almost entire Neil was here. We had fun going deep into the sea. We would take multiple trips into the sea and then rest at the sandy beachside.

          Our second stint at Bharatpur Beach

          Monday 28 November 2022

          Andaman’s Day 5: Neil Island

            Andaman’s: Day 1 - Day 2 - Day 3 - Day 4 - Day 5 - Day 6 - Day 7 - Day 8 - Day 9

            Early morning we went to Vijaynagar Beach which was opposite our resort. We wanted to see a Havelock sunrise. We were not disappointed although half a dozen puppies did follow us back to our resort. They probably mistook us as their mommy.

            Sunrise at the rocky Vijaynagar Beach

            Saturday 26 November 2022

            Andaman’s Day 3: Havelock Island

              Andaman’s: Day 1 - Day 2 - Day 3 - Day 4 - Day 5 - Day 6 - Day 7 - Day 8 - Day 9

              First look of Radhanagar Beach is queenly. The sea opens up with a panoramic view, there is not much crowd and the beach is immaculately clean. That’s not the best part. The best part is when you get into the water. I have not encountered a more perfect gredient anywhere in the world.

              The queenly Radhanagar Beach

              Friday 25 November 2022

              Andaman’s Day 2: Havelock Island

                Andaman’s: Day 1 - Day 2 - Day 3 - Day 4 - Day 5 - Day 6 - Day 7 - Day 8 - Day 9

                Early morning we reached Haddo Jetty to take our ferry to Havelock Island. The ferry was modest and the journey was eventless. We reached Havelock around noon and a cab transferred us to our hotel in no time. Havelock is a moderately sized island so the first thing we did after checking in was to rent couple of two-wheelers.

                The Blue Bird Resort, our hotel in Havelock

                Thursday 24 November 2022

                Andaman’s Day 1: Port Blair

                Andaman’s: Day 1 - Day 2 - Day 3 - Day 4 - Day 5 - Day 6 - Day 7 - Day 8 - Day 9

                • A trip to Andaman’s can be 5 day, 7 day, 9 day or even more, not less. Don’t miss Radhanagar Beach @ Havelock, Cellular Jail @ Port Blair & Natural Bridge @ Neil.
                • It rains almost all the time more or less, come with umbrellas and rain coats.
                • Rent two-wheelers from the hotel of stay itself. It will be slightly costly but reliable.

                It was raining when we landed at Port Blair. By the time we checked out the weather had dried out. This was the story throughout our 10 days stay at the Andamans. The cab pickup however was efficient. We checked-in into our hotel in no time. We had booked the same hotel when we would come back for the return flight ten days later.

                Marina Park, Port Blair

                Sunday 5 June 2022

                Rishikesh

                Rishikesh - Deoriatal - Tungnath

                I truly explored Rishikesh on my trip to Deoriatal - Tungnath. We were three of us. An early morning Shatabdi dropped us at Haridwar and then we took a connecting train to Rishikesh. The holy city of Rishikesh has become a base for multiple routes and has grown itself multifold without expanding geographically.

                View from Beatles Cafe

                Saturday 21 May 2022

                Robber’s Cave, Dehradun

                We were in Dehradun to attend a marriage. We had the morning to spare and so we searched the internet for what we can do. We saw good reviews of a place mysteriously called the Robber’s Cave. It was enticing enough for us to take a trip. It was a half hour drive from our hotel.

                Entrance to Robber’s Cave

                Monday 29 November 2021

                Everest Base Camp Trek - Part 2

                Everest Base Camp Trek Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6

                We rested in a restaurant that was only about 100m away from the airport. In fact entire Lukla is within the walking distance of the airport. By 11 we were fresh and started for our next stop which was Phakding. Professional trekkers go for Namchi directly but we were amateurs.

                On way to Phakding

                Thursday 25 November 2021

                Chandragiri, Nepal

                • Chandragiri is a half day activity from Kathmandu. The ropeway is the key attraction although the view from the top is equally stunning.
                • Cab will take USD 30-40 depending upon how long you make them stay at the base of the ropeway. There are resorts as well near the peak.

                A trip to Chandragiri peak was surprise. We were aware of this attraction but given there was so much of heritage to cover in the Kathmandu valley, we were not such this will make the cut in our itinerary. We did make it to the peak and while we found the place covered with clouds, it was still a most unique experience.

                Chandragiri Cable Car

                Saturday 4 September 2021

                Chapora Fort, Goa

                • Chapora Fort became famous after a scene from Dil Chahta Hai was shot here. As is true for anywhere in Goa, this place is best accessible by a two-wheeler.
                • The place has everything to offer but in limited amount. The small trek up to the top, street vendors on the way, the view from the top and of course the DCH spot make it a place worth the visit.
                We were in Goa for a week without an itinerary. It was a leisure trip. We had been to Goa twice before and had covered most of the prominent attractions like Aguada Fort, Basilica Church and Spice gardens. We wanted to take it easy and go for one not-too-famous point every morning and then relax the rest of the day. We decided to cover Chapora fort and Anjuna for the day.

                View from the top @ Chapora Fort