Leaving my island paradise
Check-out was at 0930 today but my ferry from Havelock Island back to Port Blair isn’t till 1630. Despite previous information, there was no earlier ferry. I easily killed the day with a long breakfast, a long lunch and an Ayurvedic massage in between.
I’m not a big fan of Ayurvedic massage … it seems to be more of a gentle oil rub with homoerotic overtones. I like strong massages, like Thai … but fortunately my masseur was able to give a stronger massage than the other Ayurvedic ones I’ve had.
I felt a little sad to leave Havelock. It’s my little Indian island paradise. Perhaps what Fiji would be like if there were no Fijians and only Indians? No … I don’t think so … the Indians here are much more laid back!
We only stay 5-star, darling
The crossing on the ferry was a bit more choppy this time. I made the journey go faster by talking to an extremely likeable English couple. They had paid about USD18,000 between them (plus business class airtickets) for their 4 week journey … their land component is about four years worth of travel (including airfares) for me!
Despite the money they shelled out, they were still on the same dunger of a ferry (instead of the faster one), had to stand in the same queue in the sun (rather than be guided to a tea stall to wait with a cuppa). But they did have a porter for their bags.
They were so so nice in every way … even the way they said they can only fly business class and stay 5-star … I never though that was possible! It’s strange though, that they can climb Kilimanjaro and not wash for days but cannot handle cattle class flights or cockroach class hotels. Backpacking isn’t for everyone, and I respect that.
It was dark by the time I reached Port Blair. I took a cheap but delicious roadside dinner of paratha (four pieces) with two vegetarian curries and tea … all for INR25 (NZD0.75). I felt ready to retire for the day at the Andaman Residency Hotel (booked online at Travelguru).
Handy to know for the next pub quiz!
Port Blair (and the Andamans) is part of India for historical and political reasons. It is actually closer to Phuket (726km), Banda Aceh (739km), Bangkok (900km) than Kolkata (1301km) and Chennai (1373km)! Watch this one … it will be in a pub quiz one day!