Feb 16, 2011 - Andamanen (Viper Island)

Die erste Straeflingskolonie der Briten, noch vor der auf der Hauptinsel auf Port Blair. Die Einheimischen Staemme wurden auch hier vor ca. 170 Jahren von den Kolonialmaechten vertrieben und auch heute ist ihre Situation -unter indischer Verwaltung in fuer alle Nichtstammesangehoerigen unzugaenglichen Reservaten- leider nicht viel besser. Beim Tsunami 2004 waren es jene -den australischen Aborigines und den Ureinwohnern Papua Neuguineas naeher Verwandten Staemmen der Andamanen- welche am wenigsten Opfer zu beklagen hatten, da sie sich in...

Feb 15, 2011 - Andamanen (Ross Island)

Der ehemalige Verwaltungssitz der Briten, in Sichtweit von Port Blair. Zumindest bis zum 2. Weltkrieg wurde Ross Island auch als das Venedig Indiens bezeichnet, wo sich die die Briten schoene Haeuser und sogar ein Swimmingpool, eine Entsalzungsanlage, 1 Kirche,... bauten. Als Japan dann in seinem Pazifikfeldzug im 2. Weltkrieg, bis auf die Andamanen vorstiess, baute die neue besatzungsmacht Bunker und zerstoerte grosse Teile der Infrastruktur. Heute, keine 70 Jahre spaeter, glaubt man in Angkor Wat zu sein. Eine unwirkliche Insel. Seit...

Feb 4, 2011 - Andamanen (Havelock Island)

Nach 1 1/2 Stunden per Schnell-Katamaran trafen wir im Paradies ein. "Beach Nr. 7" wurde vor wenigen Jahren vom "Times Magazine" zum schoensten Strand Asiens gewaehlt. Und nicht zu unrecht: schier unendlich lang, extrem breit, flach, knallweisser Sand, tuerkisfarbenes, kristallklares wohltemperiertes Wasser, ein geschuetzter Kuestenwald direkt dahinter und wunderschoene Sonnenuntergaenge. Nichts stoert: Keine Strandhuetten, keine Liegestuehle/ Sonnenschime, kein Muell, keine Kuehe und Kuhfladen, keine straeunenden Strandhunde, keine...

Feb 3, 2011 - Andamanen (Port Blair)

Mit Jetairways gings auf die, fuer die ersten 2 Tage -ungewoehnlich fuer diese Jahreszeit- verregneten Andamanen. Wir landeten in Port Blair, 2 Flugstunden oder 4 Bootstage oestlich von Chennai. Hier besichtigten wir ein nicht mehr genutztes Riesengefaengnis, welches die britische Kolonialregierung benutzte, um indische Freiheitskaempfer des ersten indischen Volksaufstandes von 1857 zu unterdruecken und deren (Zwangs)-arbeitskraft fuer den Ausbau der Strafkolonie auf mehreren Inseln des Archipels zu etablieren. Die Hauptinsel der Andamanen...

Mar 5, 2010 - Life in paradise

There is something intrinsically special about little dive bubbles created on paradise beaches all around the world. Most of us end up in them certainly because of the lure of underwater marvels but also pushed by the desire to find a way of earning a living in a truly gorgeous place far from pollution, cold winds, snowflakes, subways, big city stress and nights without stars. I have it here. I've got the white sand, the bamboo bungalow, the hammock with a view over palm trees and spots of turquoise sea in between falling coconuts. I've...

Dec 20, 2009 - My new home

I have now been out on Havelock Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, far East in the Andaman Sea, for just over a week. On the one hand, it feels like I have already been here for a month or two; on the other hand I could just as well have just arrived. Time stands still here, it bubbles away under the waves in a soothing and calming way. Days float in and out, rising with the sun around 5 o’clock and seeing the light wash away 12 hours later, bathing the whole island in thick tropical darkness. The days of the week slowly fade away,...

Apr 2, 2009 - Ernie's Birthday: Port Blair

We woke up this morning still at Sea. We would pull into Port Blair around 10 am. Ernie had some birthday messages waiting for him on the web site, plus a really neat video posted on U-tube by Mike Renfro of a group of our friends at home singing happy Birthday to Ernie. It was really great that everyone thought to remember Ernie's birthday and to post it a day ahead. Ernie wasn't thrilled about going to Port Blair on his birthday, especially after reading Randy's synopsis of the destination first thing this morning. But we agreed to go off...

Feb 2, 2009 - Heaven...I mean Andaman

Way back in 2000 Michael tried to catch a ferry from Kolkata to Port Blair on the Andaman Islands. The promised crystal clear waters, snorkeling, beautiful beaches and cheap huts on the “un-touristy” island chain just seemed too alluring after having trekked in Nepal for two weeks. Unfortunately a delayed flight and a missed ferry meant that the plans had to be curtailed, with the thought in mind that I’d have to come back. Little did I know it would happen 8 years later with my incredibly beautiful wife! The last 30 days on these islands...

Sep 23, 2008 - Havelock Island, The Andamans.

The word on the sreets is that the Andamans white sands beaches and turquoise waters are very beautiful but unfortunately the number of Isrealis makes the island seem like a colony of our Hebrew speaking friends. Both turned out to be true. Israelis have a reputation, and its not a good one. They are considered to be rude and agressive, super-tight and unapproachable except to other Jews. So when I caught the ferry from the capital of the Islands to Havelock island and found myself sitting with a dozen of our semitic friends I was a little...

Nov 20, 2007 - Paradise...with a Twist

I have added a map of the Andaman Islands to the webpage for viewing purposes to accomodate this story...I hope you enjoy it. Rule #1 Assume nothing in India Rule #2 Assume everything in India Rule #3 Patience is everything in India, except of course when no one around you has got any, then it is time to start throwing elbows. Rule #4 When the power and water goes out for two days, and all you have left is warm, flat beer or vodka and pineapple juice....drink plenty of it and remember to wear a hard hat. I flew out to the Andaman Islands of...

Dec 10, 2006 - Port Blair again

This morining I was up early to relish my last day on this paradise. I didn't take my hammock down until I absolutely had to and then at 3pm I made my way to the jetty to get my ticket for the 4:30pm ferry. I had to get on this ferry as my flight back to Calcutta is at 9:30am tomorrow. When I got there there were 2 lines, one for women and one for men. It was getting heated in the mens line before they even opened the window as people were jumping the queue so there was a lot of pushing and shoving. The womens line was fine and they finally...

Dec 8, 2006 - LAST NIGHT

was the night from HELL. We woke up yesterday morning and the sky was overcast and there was a shower of rain but it all cleared up. Later in the day a boat came by and dropped off 6 Israeli lads who were doing a 3 night 4 day camping trip too. I wasn't too impressed, Israelis have a terrible reputation among travellers here in India. They're fine on their own or in two's but when their in groups, they're loud, pushy and treat staff terribly. These bunch seemed fairly alright and they set up camp next to us and we decided to all cook...