Andaman & Nicobar Travel Guide
Andaman & Nicobar is the string of 300 islands lies in the middle of the Bay of Bengal. The islands are ethnically not a part of India for until quite recently they were only inhabited by indigenous people. These islands are often called the "perfect tropical paradise". The islands stretch into the territory of some 750 km from north to south in the Bay of Bengal. These islands are now being developed and will soon be major tourist centres. Point Calimere and Mudumalai wildlife sanctuaries define the eastern and western tips of the state while at the northern extreme is Pulicat Lake and at the southernmost tip is Cape Camorin or Kanniyakumari. There are 19 islands in the Nicobar group. Palm trees abound and, as a result, coconuts and arecanuts, and their derivatives, are important products. Planters also cultivate sugar cane. The complex network of lagoons, lakes, rivers and canals fringing the coast of Kerala forms the basis of a distinct regional lifestyle, and travelling by boat along these backwaters is one of the highlights of a visit to the state. The boats cross shallow, palm-fringed lakes studded with Chinese fishing nets, and along narrow, shady canals where coir (coconut fibre), copra and cashews are loaded onto boats. Stops are made at small settlements where people live on carefully cultivated narrow spits of land only a few metres wide, and there's the chance to see traditional boats with huge sails, and prows carved into the shape of dragons. The most popular backwater trip is the eight-hour voyage between Kollam and Alappuzha, but most of your fellow passengers on this route will be Western travellers. If you want a local experience, or you simply feel like a shorter trip, there are local boats from Alappuzha to Kottayam and Changanassery.
The islands offer a wide selection of handicrafts made from wood, fibre, and sea shells. There is mother - of - pearl jewellery in the form of necklaces, earrings, bracelets, etc. Then there are coconut shell ashtrays, soap dishes, lampshades, apart from wood items like walking sticks, trays, bowls tables and stools. Kollam is on the well-serviced Thiruvananthapuram-Ernakulum bus route, as well as being fortuitously placed on no less than four different railway lines. Getting there from any number of the major southern cities is no problem; however it is 2750 kms from New Delhi. The Andaman tribes have little contact with the outside world. Most islanders follow their own religious and tribal customs, although many Nicobarese have been converted to Christianity. Beaches: Corbyn's Cove And Chirya Tap, Radhnagar Beach, Harminder Bay Beach, Karmatang Beach, Ramnagar Beach. Sunbathe in the mellow sun as you sip from a fresh coconut. Then swim out into the waves where dolphins and many-hued fish will give you company. The clear waters of the Andamans are ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving. The best beaches are at Wandour, Corbyn's Cove, Jolly Buoy and Ross Island. Forests are the green extend over gold of the islands. The reserved and protected forests extend over 86% area of the territory and the forest cover is more than 92 %. About 50 % of the forests has been set aside as Tribal Reserves, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries, which are inviolate. Luxuriant mangroves, perhaps the richest in the world, occupy nearly 5 % of the territory. More than 150 plant and animals species are endemic in nature. Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is rich in corals, varieties of colored fishes, sea turtles etc., besides other marine life. It is a birds paradise - more than 271 varieties of birds inhabit the idyllic landscape, out of which 39 are endemic. Megapode, Swiftlet, Hornbill and Nicobar Pigeon are some of the specialties of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The islands have a tropical climate. There is medium to heavy rain during the monsoon, in the months from May to mid September and November to mid December. There is no extreme climate except rains and tropical storms in late summer often cause heavy damage. Since the Nicobarese are the ones who most need assistance, and have the least access to relief and aid, the Institute for Social Ecology, University of Klagenfurt (Austria), has set up a trust account operated by a Notary and under the responsibility of Prof. Marina Fischer-Kowalski. This money will be eventually sanctioned to local NGOs and perhaps even Nicobarese Tribal Councils for projects aimed to rebuild indigenous lands and economy once official channels are opened. Though so close to the Andamans, the Nicobar are quite distinct in their topography and population. The aborigines of the Nicobar Islands are believed to be of Mongoloid origin as against their Negrito neighbours. This fact itself is quite intriguing to the ethnologist. The Nicobar Islands are flatter compared to the Andamans. The vegetation includes coconut palm, casuarina and pandanus. There are a variety of species of animals and birds in the Nicobar Islands; crab-eating monkeys, nicobarese pigeons, and magapode birds are some of these.
Places to see in Andaman & Nicobar :-Cellular Jail, Andaman Water Sports Complex, Gandhi Park, Corbyn's Cove Complex, Anthropological Museum ,Fisheries Museum, Ross Island, M.G. Marine National Park, Cinque Island,, Havelock Island
Access: Indian Airlines has regular flights to Port Blair, from Calcutta and Chennai. There are regular trips to Port Blair, from Calcutta and Chennai. The trip usually takes three to four days
India Travel Guides
Jaisalmer : By Road
Jaisalmer : By Road Jaisalmer is connected by good roads to Jodhpur (285 km), Bikaner via Pokran (330 km), and Barmer via Devikot (153 km). Ra¬jasthan Roadways' buses connect Jaisalmer with important towns like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner and Barmer. Deluxe coaches de¬part for Jaipur in the evenings while pri¬vate buses also
Varanasi : Cruising The Ghats
Varanasi : Cruising The Ghats The most important facet of Varanasi is the Ganges and the ghats lining its western bank in the city. Virtually the raison deter, from dawn to dusk the ghats are thronged by thousands of devotees, who perform their holy rituals in the hope of attaining eternal
Mail: Kerala
All Mail Which Isn't Specifically Addressed Poste Restante, Head Post Office, Ernakulam, Goes To Cochin Head Post Office In Fort Cochin. It Is A Good Idea To Check At Both Post Offices. Poste Restante Is Closed On Sundays. It Pays To Look Through All The Mail Yourself As The Ladies Behind
Miscellaneous: Ashram
The Tourist Information Centre Is In Campagnie Street, Ph 4 575. Open Daily 8.45am-Lpm And 2-5.45pm. They Are Planning To Move. La Boutique D'auroville Is The Official Information Centre For Auroville, And Is At 12 Jawaharlal Nehru Street - Open Mon-Sat 9.30am-Lpm And 2.30-8pm. The Aurobindo-Ashram And The People Of Auroville
Varansi : Local Transport
Varansi : Local Transport There are no yellow-top metered taxis in the city. However, tourist taxis are available at the airport, railway station, prominent centres in the city, especially Cantt. area, and through hotels and agencies. The rates for these are negotiable. Auto-rickshaws, un-metered, are a more popular mode of transport. The
Bangalore : Art galleries
Bhavan's art gallery, bharatiya vidya bhavan, race course road; open: 1000-1900 hrs. Max mueller bhavan art gallery, 3, lovelle road open: 0900-1700 hrs, closed saturday and sunday. Renaissance art gallery, 104, west¬minster, 13, cunningham road; open: 1100-1900 hrs, closed sunday. Venkatappa art gallery, kasturba road; open: 1000-1700 hrs, closed monday. Karnataka chitrakala
Mangalore : Eating out
Try taj manjarun lunch buffet, or "the galley" restaurant for a mangalorean clas¬sic dish, or the safa dine, near roopa ho¬tel for excellent biryani.
Dalhousie: Hotels
Dalhousie: Hotels Silverton estate guest house Above circuit house, moti tibba 81 km from railway station. • 5 rooms. Ep double cctv, dining rooms, room service, en¬tertainment - croquet, badminton, mini-golf putting green, lawns with extensive views, evening bonfires and barbecue on request, drive-in and safe parking. Grand view Near bus stand 80 km from railway
Jhansi Excursions : Mahoba
Jhansi Excursions Mahoba (165). A variety of pan (betel leaf), ballads of the legendary warrior brothers, Ahla and Udal, and ruins of a 9th century sun temple to the west of Rehila lake on the town's outskirts have ensured Mahoba's fame.
Varanasi : Handicraft
Varanasi : Handicraft Mehrotra Silk Factory, Englishia Line, opp. Cantt. Railway Station; Bhagwan Lila Exports, 41, Sindu Na-gar Colony, Sigra; Mohan Silk Stores, Vishwanath Gali,; Bhagwan Sarees, Vishwanath Gali; J.R. Ivory Arts & Curios, Vishwanath Gali; Chowdhary Brothers, Thatheri Bazaar Mahalaxmi Saree House, Sindu Nagar Colony, Sigra; Government Emporia UPICA, Nadesar, Cantt. UP
