Port Blair, Andaman Islands

The Andaman Islands, an archipelago of about 752 islands more than 600 miles east of India, are a Union Territory of India. We docked at Port Blair on Ross Island. Instead of taking the shuttle to town to see the market by foot, four of us opted to hire a cab right at the pier. The driver took us on a 30-minute ride through the center of town, passing the market place. It is hard to describe how crowded the streets were with people, tuktuks (motorized vehicles holding 4 people and a driver), and sacred cows.

After a hair-raising ride over half-paved narrow roads, with the taxi’s horn being the most important safety device, we arrived at the Andaman Island Resort. You must not think resort as you know it. The beach is brown sand, broad, lined with palm trees, and home to sea serpents. Although we didn’t see any of the snakes, the thought of them and the probable bacteria count of the water were enough to keep us cool, dry and safe on land. We sat at a small table, under coconut palms, watching the cows wander the beach, the road, and the water.

Many crew and passengers from the ship joined us at the resort, and we actually had a fine day. The taxi driver returned just as he said he would two hours later and drove us back to the pier and our ship.