Andaman Diaries – Concluded

 

Andaman Diaries – Concluded

A Journey Through Nature, History, and the Sea

(This is the  concluding section of the travelogue, reflecting on the underwater experience at Jolly Buoy Island and the  departure from the Andaman Islands after completing our scientific mission. My thanks are  due to  my  Ph.D Guide and Senior  colleague in GSI , Dr. J.R.Kayal professor emeritus, Kolkata, for   providing valuable insights  while writing this article .  This write up  is based on experiences of the GSI team at Andaman Islands.)

On 23 September, we left Port Blair for establishing the next seismograph at the  Havelock. The pleasant  weather, the  clear blue sky and the  shimmering sea in different shades of hue accompanied us to our destination. . As our vessel moved through the calm  and serene waters, we were fascinated by the sight of the green  emerald Islands rising from the  glistening  blue sea.

Havelock Island, with its lush forests, coconut groves, and scattered settlements, welcomed us into its warm embrace. After reaching the forest office, we met the Forest Ranger and explained the purpose of our visit. By noon, we began installing another seismograph at a selected location. Though the work continued for several hours, the peaceful surroundings made the experience enjoyable.

As evening approached, the setting sun turned the sea to melting gold. Children played along the shore, and fishermen prepared their boats. Sitting on the deck of our vessel, we watched the fading light over the sea   and after taking our observations returned to Port Blair with cherished  memories.

The following day, after inspecting the earthquake-monitoring instruments at Port Blair, a visit to  the Cellular Jail Museum was a reminder  of the sacrifices of the freedom fighters and the hardships they endured during India’s struggle for independence. The Anthropological Museum provided a glimpse into the lives, cultures, and traditions of the indigenous residents of this land.

In our busy schedule, we could manage to visit the  Ross Island, a small island that once served as the administrative Centre of British rule in the Andamans. The ruins of the Governor’s House, church, and other colonial buildings still stand among coconut and banyan trees..

Our visit to Sippighat Farm introduced us to the cultivation of spices such as cloves, nutmeg, pepper, and cinnamon. The officer there guided us around and even gifted us a few saplings, leaving us with pleasant memories of the place. The  air was filled with the abundance of spice aroma.

The most unforgettable experience was our visit to Jolly Buoy Island. A motorboat carried us across the calm blue sea, surrounded by green islands and mangroves. Through a glass-bottomed boat, we witnessed the hidden world beneath the water. The colorful corals, fish, sea lilies, sea cucumbers, anemones, rays, and many other marine creatures created a breath taking underwater landscape. It felt like discovering another world full of life, color, and wonder.

Our journey through the forests of Middle Andaman, our encounters with the Jarawa people, and our exploration of the magnificent marine world together became some of the most memorable experiences of our lives.

After completing our work of installing and monitoring earthquake-recording instruments, our week-long stay in the Andaman Islands came to an end. On 28 October, we boarded a flight from Port Blair to Kolkata. As the islands disappeared from our view, we returned to the familiar rhythm of city life. Yet the Andamans remained with us—in our hearts and memories—leaving behind a treasure of experiences that would stay with us forever.

Un voyage magnifique et merveilleux !

- Pankaj Mala Bhattacharya