Lakshadweep, the smallest
Union Territory of India, an archipelago of 36 Islands , is indeed a paradise
on earth ! These Islands are only about
250kms away from Kochi - my home town, and though there are regular flights and
ships from Kochi to Lakshadweep, I could visit the Islands only this year. I did manage a last minute booking on the
Lakshadweep Samudram sea package from Kochi in last May- a 5 day cruise to
Kavaretti , Kalpeni and Minicoy islands.
My first voyage, though I am
a shipping professional I have never sailed before, was an amazing and unforgettable
experience. The fear about the sea
sickness ( the sail was cool , no sickness or anything) could not kill the excitement
of the sail. The ship cabin was adequately furnished, clean and tidy. To my luck, I had a single cabin for myself (I
was the only tourist travelling alone, rest all were with family). The sea view through the cabin window was super.
As a bonus there was a small balcony
next to my cabin, during the 5 day voyage I spent most of the time there…watching
and experiencing the sea .The food served on board was okay and the tour
manager and other crew members were very friendly and courteous.
From the moment the ship unberthed
and started sailing, I was drifted into a different world. The farther we
sailed, the deeper the sea became, water colour changed into a deep blue..!
Slowly the sun set and the night fell; the sea was very quiet and breezy. Next
day morning we reached our first destination- Kavaratti. The view from my
balcony was breathtakingly beautiful…the lush green island was surrounded by turquoise blue water lagoon!!
The ship anchored in the
open sea and to reach the Island the passengers and tourists had to shifted to
small wooden boats. The jump from the ship to the boat was great fun. The ship
crew and the people on the boat took utmost care on the tourists’ security. All
were strictly advised to wear life jackets while on the boat.
The Kavaratti Island, the
capital of Lakshadweep, welcomed with
tender coconut, one thing which is in abundance there. The place is fresh, clean and pristine. Absolutely
nil pollution as there are only few vehicles , islanders uses cycles and motor
bikes for commuting in and around and no factories around. Everything, except
fish and coconut, will have to be brought from the main land. Schooling is
possible in Islands; however they will have to come to Kerala, specifically Kochi,
for higher education, hospitals, shopping etc. Rice and fish is the common food.
Almost everyone speaks Malayalam (the language spoken in Kerala), but I could
not understand a word of their local language
‘Jesery’.
I spend the day on the “sugar”
sanded beach, just lazed around, didn’t participate any of the water sports (snorkelling,
scuba diving, water scooter…), just talked to the local people and tried to understand
more about their island life. Almost 100%
of the population is Muslim .One interesting thing is that; in Lakshadweep the
boy who pays dowry to the girl’s house and after the wedding the boy stays at
the girl’s house!! The lunch was simple with rice, tuna fish and vegetables. There were cultural programme in the evening
with tea and snacks. By about 6pm returned to ship to sail to next destination-
Minikoy.
It’s in Kalpeni Island that
I participated in water sports – scuba diving. The diving club has certified
and trained divers to assist the freshers. They did give a crash course on scuba,
the signs to be learned (you communicate using signs under water) etc before taking to the tip of that Island. There, the instructor
gave a short training in the shallow water about the usage of scuba mask and went on a speed boat into the deeper sea.
I was shifted to a floating pontoon and from there with the assistance of the instructor
dived into the open sea… OMG …! The coral world underneath was spectacular….different
colours of corals, fishes and other kinds of sea life. I never ever thought I
will see them all live and touch them with my own hand in my life !!!
But I did it, a dream come true….an experience which will last till my
last breath.
Minicoy was our last
destination of the 5 day cruise tour and it was a different experience. The
people look a bit different and the local language is Mahl, though most of them
speak Malayalam. The ladies attire was different from the other Islands’. There
I have visited a village and met with local people. This island has more
greenery and could see other trees and vegetation. And the lighthouse, which
was established in 1885 by British, was a spectacular sight. The view from the
top is picturesque.
The return voyage to Kochi
was quite , I just enjoyed the beauty of the sea and the vastness of the horizon.
The ship had some engine trouble at night and slowed down and hence we arrived
behind schedule. Had to wait at the outer anchorage for few hours for the pilot
to board and to bring the vessel to berth. The view of the “queen of Arabian sea-
Kochi” from the sailing ship is
beautiful….
Note : For enquiries and
bookings please contact : Mr N.B Hussain Manikfan, Manager(Information &
Booking), SPORTS lakshadweep Tourism , W.Island, Kochi . Tel : +91 484
2668387/2666789, E-mail: laksports.reservation@gmail.com
