Archive for April, 2009
Avis Island 360 View
By Tony on April 29, 2009 | 2 Comments »
We spent the day on tiny Avis island snorkeling the coral gardens and floating on our backs in the crystal clear waters. Giant clams, banded sea snakes, technicolor lobsters, cubist trigger fish, and incredibly delicate bonsai style coral in the meter deep expanses of water.
To share this perfect experience, I made a 360 view of the islet from out in the water. For perspective, you can see Thomas sitting on the shore. As you spin around, notice the storms forming in the distance. We certainly noticed them that afternoon.
The clarity of the water is somewhat obscured by how the ripples are rendered during the stitching of the images for the 360.
Mysterious North Sentinel Island
By Tony on April 27, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Without a doubt, the most fascinating island in the entire Andaman and Nicobar chain is the mysterious North Sentinel, an island off limits to both foreigners and Indians alike. The tribal North Sentinelese are considered by many to be the most isolated people on Earth. Most attempts by the Andaman tribal authorities to contact the North Sentinelese have been greeted with a very clear answer of angry arrows. Yikes! In response, the Indian government has stopped their attempts to contact the tribe. In 2006, Sentinelese archers killed two fisherman who were illegally fishing near the island. Clearly these people want to be left alone.
Very little is known about the North Sentinelese. No single word of their language has been recorded. Like the Onge, the Jarawa, and the Andamanese, the North Sentinelese are classified as negrito and look much more like Africans than Asians. They are believed to be some of the earliest peoples to have migrated across Asia. Virtually nothing is known or understood about their culture.
Since the tribal people of the Andamans are completely off-limits, a trip to the anthropological museum in Fort Blair is an absolute must. The tiny museum features a fascinating presentation of video footage of 60s and 70s expeditions to visit the Jarawa, Onge, Andamanese, Shompen and Nicobarese as well as – drumroll – early attempts to contact the North Sentinelese. If you don’t happen to be island hopping in the Andaman Sea, I’ve embedded a short Youtube video of this initial contact. Don’t miss this one!
Marie-Christine
By Thomas on April 25, 2009 | No Comments »
Neil Island is absolutely peaceful and quiet but not in a boring way. As soon as we stepped off the ferry, we were part of a great community of non-party, nature-loving travelers. And Marie-Christine is one of them. We were immediately spellbound by this contemporary semi-nomadic French woman whose radiating smile is not her only asset. Marie-Christine has a gift. » Continue reading this post »
Paradise Neil
By Tony on April 24, 2009 | 1 Comment »
After the epic battle to reach Neil Island, you’re probably wondering if it was worth it. Absolutely. No hassle, beautiful beaches, excellent snorkeling, nice huts in a beautiful tropical garden, dugongs and dolphins, paradise.
The Battle for Neil Island
By Tony on April 22, 2009 | 4 Comments »
Getting off Havelock island has been a nightmare. What we assumed would be a simple matter of walking up to a ticket office and buying a ticket has turned into the ultimate example of Indian incompetence, corruption and racism.
Day 1
Thomas shows up at the ticket counter an hour before it closes. A line of foreigners wait impatiently as the ticket salesmen sip chai, chat, and avoid their work responsibilities. Any attempt to get them to do their jobs results in rolling eyes and Bengali curses. When one randomly approaches the window and deigns to actually sell a ticket, Indians rush up and cut in line. Thomas loses it and » Continue reading this post »
