Let’s go to Andaman #ExploreIndianIslands - Day 5

 Today’s itinerary was an interesting one on a different side. We were to drive through the Grand Andaman Trunk road (NH 4) via the Jarawa Tribe locality to a place called Baratang. The interesting part of this drive is the 45 km drive through the forest. The gates at the 2 ends are open for civilians to cross through the forest area only at 4 specific times. The vehicles have to line up in a convoy at the gates and will be allowed through the forest region by the forest officials only after submitting certain identity forms. The drive through the 45 km stretch has to compulsorily be 90 minutes and not less than that. No overtaking is permitted in this stretch. No stopping, photography, videography is allowed through the drive. In case we spot a person from the tribe to come out on the road from the forest, we have to just see them without any expression, to avoid any miscommunication or wrong interpretation of expressions. Jirkatang is the check post near Port Blair side and the end point on the other side is called Middle Strait, which is in Middle Andaman, from where we had to take a jetty to cross to Baratang. It was a beautiful drive to Jikartang Check post from Port Blair. During the wait time, one shouldn’t miss the hot dosa, vada, Poori and tea that is served in the restaurants. The time slots available to cross the forest are: 0600 hrs, 0900 hrs, 1230 hrs and 1500 hrs. This is the route taken by all vehicles, including the State transport service buses, to go to Middle and North Andaman from South Andaman. The buses are ferried in the ferry too from Middle Strait to Baratang. After having some nice hot breakfast at Jikartang Check post, we started our journey through the forest in the 0900 hrs time slot. We were very eager to catch a glimpse of at least 1 person from the tribe, just out of curiosity, but through the drive we couldn’t spot even 1. We were asked to park our vehicle slightly before the check post at Middle Strait, due the pile up of vehicles, from the earlier slot too. We waited for the ferry to arrive and boarded the ferry to reach Baratang jetty. It was an old diesel operated ferry that carries even vehicles across the Strait to Baratang and northwards. Once we reached Baratang we were given a motor boat and a local coordinator to take us through the mangrove forest to another beautiful place. The boat ride through the mangrove forest and sea water was amazing. Once we reached the bamboo bridge, we had to walk through the mangrove forest and local farming lands for 1.3 kms to reach our beautiful destination, Limestone cave. The limestone cave was a sight to behold. Naturally formed for so many years, in the dense mangrove forest, it is still growing in all directions. We learnt the literal meaning of things we learnt in geography in school. The helictite, stalactite and stalagmite growth of limestones that we learnt in school, was present live in front of our eyes. The initial portion of the cave had already got exposed to moisture and sunlight and hence had dead limestone which was black in colour. As we entered inside it became pitch dark because limestones grow and live only without moisture, sunlight and human touch. So we were guided all through to ensure that we don’t touch the sides while we walk inside, as it could make that portion dead. There were some water droplets from the limestone, which was distilled water. We tried catching a few drops and it tasted so pure. So many textures and sizes were seen and the limestones formed so many different shapes like a conch, Lord Ganesh, elephant face, a reverse lotus, etc. There were a couple of sinkholes too in the cave. Due to some mishaps that happened a few years before in one of the sinkholes, the public are cordoned off after a certain distance within the cave. With flash light on, we took some nice pictures within the cave and we came out with our eyes shrinking to the sunlight from pitch darkness. It was an amazing sight inside. We came back in our speed boat back to Baratang for lunch. Something unexpected waited for us after lunch.

The Stunning Baratang and Limestone Cave

We had a good lunch in a small restaurant at Baratang and boarded back the ferry to Middle Strait, to catch the 1500 hrs timeslot. We completed the return formalities at the forest ranger’s check post and waited in the queue to proceed as a convoy back to Jikartang. When we crossed the check post and were about to cross the exact point where we had parked our vehicle while coming, we had the best gift we waited for. There was a small boy standing by the side of the road near a tree, with a white cloth tied neatly below his hip and a white ornament on his neck, looking happily at the cars passing by. And yes, he was one of the youngest tribe member from the Jarawa tribe and we were so fortunate and lucky to have got a glimpse of him. We were beaming with joy to have seen him and felt so lucky too. That was the best gift that waited for us in the entire journey through the forest region. While crossing a place called Potatang in the forest region, we were told that most of the Jarawa tribe members are present in this region of the forest but deep in the forest land. When we reached Jikartang Check post it was 1630 hrs and when we reached back Port Blair it was 1800 hrs. After some last minute shopping for gifts and memories we retired for the day to head back to Chennai with all sweet memories. Exploring the Indian Islands was really special and an amazing trip to end the year. At 1030 hrs the next day, we took the return Akasa Air flight to Chennai, with happiness, joy and some slight heavy heart that the trip ended so soon. The 5 nights and 6 days went off so fast but yet it was so beautiful, so much fun, joy, happiness and much more. Until next time, we bid a goodbye to the Andaman Islands, which have many more to be covered. The novice traveller signs off to come back with another trip. See you soon!

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