Back to Port Blair

We were on our way back to Port Blair form Neil Island. It was around 4:30 in the evening when our ship started. I again chose to travel on the deck. The sun was setting at far horizon. Sea breeze was blowing. Before I realized it, the sun had set. I was so engrossed in watching the sea around that I missed this event. I came to know about it only when the lights on the deck were put on. It was dark all around except on the ship. There was nothing to see around now. I was sitting on the deck silently listing to the engine noise. The diesel odour was hung in the air. The sea was looking frightening.

After around 1:45 Hrs journey, Port Blair was now visible. Illuminating lights of this small Island made it presence felt from the ship. At far end, flash light of the light house in a flip-flop mode was beaming on us, beckoning. The ship had slowed down. An announcement was made on the public address system of the ship announcing that we were reaching the Port Blair in a while.

As the ship was parked in the jetty beside another ship and came to a halt, a small bridge was made between the two ships. The passengers were made to alight through the connected ship. The height of the gate was low and one had to bow down to come out to save oneself from being hit on the head. The ship was to leave tomorrow morning on its next visit to the Havelok.

 We boarded this ship two days ago in the morning to visit Havelok. Now when we alighted, the jetty gave a completely different look. It was illuminating with so many lights. The parked ships were also decorated like a bride. The side-road in front of the office of Directorate of Shipping Services was also lit up beautifully with white lamps in a row on blue square shaped pillars. The grill was also painted in blue and white color to give it a perfect match   with the lights and pillars. Its background wall was also painted in a matching light blue shade. All this description was missing in morning when we boarded the ship.

Our tour operator was waiting outside the jetty. We boarded the car and went straight to Anapurna Cafeteria to have dinner. After two days, we had good dinner. We were dropped at hotel. Next morning we were to visit ROSS and North Bay Islands.