Last days in Port Blair - post by the capitain

Leaving very early in the morning from the port.
If it wasn't for the modern boat in the background this would look like
a scene from a time long long ago.

Tinks and I went on a land trip a visit to the Jarawa tribe.It involved a long car trip attached to a convoy through the heart of the Andaman Island.First part we saw the devastation on the west side of the island caused by the 2004 tsunami.

2004 tsunami damage was rather extensive and only now the area
 is starting to regenerate slowly.All who lost their houses in here were treated
 really we. They were provided with a new brick home food and electricity.
That continues until now.

Then after after joining the line and having our passports inspected we were allowed to travel through native lands (in convoy)to the top of the island where we caught a car ferry to local caves.

The line to convoy which starts only 2 times per day

Robert getting friendly with the local cow

A quick milk tea before the trip

People come in cars and bus loads.
We had a reasonably good car and it was a bone breaking journey.
These people would have suffered greately. Hopefully they were going one
way.

And there is place for business everywhere.
Some deep fried food in an old newspaper is the only way to go here.
Deep fries is good with all the amazing  amount of dust.

The convoy with police in the front middle and back.
Past this point photography was not allowed.
We did see jarawa people bfore this point and must say that they are
rather beautiful
We saw their bags little huts the have built here and heard them.

The Jarawa natives are very protected and photographing them is strictly prohibited. Many of the areas are restricted actually. It is a must do be prepared for dust and grim and begging cows-that's right at the assembly point to start the convoy be amazed by the local cows that follow you and beg for your food.

On the other side of the Jarawa reserve we took a ferry to caves.
Now that was an experience. The pushing crowds DUST goats amazing.
Let's say an experience

Begging cow won. The men on the right was having his meal and she
wanted it. So she pushed and shoved and he got engry gave her his food
and left.

This was not enough for our begging cow so
 she decided to begin the waiting cars.
A professional!

Lunch at the local restaurant.A better one where our driver Ravi took us.
All washed hands in one bowl and time for food it was.
With greatest respect I really wonder how our stomachs managed all the
very different bacteria and survived. We never had a problem.

At the end of our Jarawa eperience we had a late and fantastic cofee.

With grit in our teeth dust in on the lids and smiles it certainly was
a great day to remember.
BIGGEST THANKS TO RAVI WHO TOOK GREAT CAREOF US
WE LOVED YOUR COUNTRY!!!!!!

The last full day was spent around Port Blair a great little town totally different than anywhere we have been.Market shopping not unusual for us but again different than what we have experienced in the past.We found a fabric shop that made saris. Tinks ordered some and they were made overnight.They looked great and she would probably get lost in the crowd if she wore them.After few more supplies from the market a visit to the zoo with a friendly tok tok driver a great Indian dinner set us up for departure.The experience of the Andamans is a must. It's different but the same great people set back in time.
Our last day was spent with paperwork port control customs immigration and harbors master. We cleared immigration at the local jetty the officer came to us stamped our passports out then bought us a local coffee (which is an experience) and a cake and waved us to our boats   ( don't get that anywhere else)!