Before
you embark on your Andaman trip, here are a few things you must take care of,
to have a hassle free and happy vacation. Life in the islands is, well, a
little different!
1.
The
islands have very few ATMs, and poor connectivity means credit cards are unusable
at most establishments. Cash is still king, and it’s not very cheap, so carry adequate
moolah with you.
2.
Most
tourist spots lack good, upscale restaurants. Local stalls may provide light
refreshments like water, tea, bhajiyas and noodles, but don’t count on it.
Carry lots of water, but avoid plastic bottles as much as you can!
3.
Few
cellular operators, like BSNL and Vodafone, provide services in the islands,
and connectivity is patchy at best. Idea does not work, neither does it roam.
Data connections are almost unusable, except for the rare Whatsapp message that
might get through. Most hotels do have some Wifi. I suggest you carry a prepaid
SIM from BSNL for urgent calls, but try and enjoy the radio silence while you
are there.
4.
The
weather can be hot and very humid. Sunburn is a serious possibility, especially
with the crystal clear air and bright sunshine. Carry lots of full sleeve Tshirts
with collars, and be very generous with the sunscreen!
5.
Be
on time. Even government ferries are a stickler for timely departures, and
missing one can be very painful indeed! Bear in mind, also, that the
geographical distance from mainland India means that the islands see sunrise
and sunset at least 90 mins before rest of the country – even in summer,
sunsets can be as early as 515 pm!
 |
| The government ferries provide comfortable AC seating and great views from the deck |
6.
Do
not litter. The Andamans are squeaky clean, and as responsible tourists, it’s
incumbent upon us to keep it that way. Avoid plastics – on some islands like
Jolly Buoy, plastics are completely banned anyway.
7.
Do
not waste water and electricity. All the electricity on the islands is
produced through highly subsidized, expensive diesel generators.
Traveler Pro Tip:
Foreign visitors need a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to
visit the islands. This is easily available from the Immigration Authorities on
arriving at Port Blair, subject to having a valid visa. For more, check out http://www.andamans.gov.in/html/entryformality.html
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