Andaman and Nicobar Islands - Ross Island

Next day in the morning, we went to explore the Ross Island. We went to the Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex and from there took a speed boat ride to the Ross Island. It took us 15 minutes to reach there.

Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex

Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex

 View of Ross Island from the speed boat

View from the speed boat

There is no human habitation in the island; only ruins of old settlement. The island was the Administrative headquarter of the Britishers , but in 1941 after an Earthquake, they shifted it to Port Blair. It was also occupied by the Japanese once, and so one can find the Japanese bunkers. The island is now under the control of Indian Navy.

Ross Island

Ross Island

The first thing, we noticed after reaching the island was a Japanese bunker.

Japanese Bunker

There are deers, hens, and peacock roaming around freely in the island. 

Deer and hen roaming around freely

Deer

The weather was very hot and humid.  It is a small Island so walking is the only way of exploring it. There are few tent shaped shades with tables and chairs for tourists to take rest. We had coconut water to keep ourselves hydrated.

Tent shape shades 

There are ruins of a bakery, a water distilling plant, a printing press, the subordinate’s club, a church, and the chief commisioner’s house.  There is also a pond and a light house on the island.

Ruins of Bakery

Ruins

Ruins of Water distilling plant

Subordinate's Club

Ruins of Church

Pond 

Light house of Ross Island

View from Ross Island

A light and sound show takes place in the evening. Though we could not see it, we took pictures of the open air theatre where it is organized.

Open air theatre

This Island surely carries a lot of history. This island saved Port Blair from a major destruction during the 2004 tsunami. It took us two hours to complete our tour of the Ross Island.

View of the jetty

We were back in our hotel in Port Blair by 12:30 pm. We went for local sightseeing in the evening, details of which I will give in my next blog.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

 Andaman and Nicobar Islands is one of the Union Territories of India. It was really exciting to explore the islands of Andaman. Though there are hundreds of islands in this union territory, we visited only three of them. Port Blair (The capital city of Andaman and Nicobar), Ross Island (No human habitation, only ruins of old settlement) and Havelock Island (famous for its pristine clear sea and all water sports activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, sea walking, glass bottom boat ride and many others).

To reach Port Blair, we took a flight to Chennai and from Chennai to Port Blair. The views of the islands before landing were really spectacular.

View from the plane

Awesome view

Stunning View

In Port Blair, we stayed at Peerless Sarovar Portico.

Main Building of Sarovar

Beautiful View of the trees

Way to the Beach

Peerless Sarovar Portico is located near the Corbyn's Cove Beach. When we reached Port Blair, it was late afternoon so after taking some rest we went to the beach. It was crowded.

Corbyn's Cove Beach

Corbyn's Cove Beach

We had fun at the beach though our little one was a bit scared of the waves and so she didn’t even go near the sea and was busy making hill in the sand. There is one watersport activity in this beach that is jet ski. There is also one small island visible from the beach called Snake island. 

Snake Island

The surrounding view of the beach is also eye-catching.

View of the road from the Beach

Next day was Monday. Majority of the tourist spots of Port Blair are closed, so we went to explore the Ross Island. I will give the details about this island in my next blog.