Anyone been to the Lakshadweep Islands?
Discussion
Went to Bangaram in 2002.
It takes a bit of getting used to, as it is pretty basic which borders on the scruffy. It isn't the Maldives, but then again...it isn't the Maldives. You really are away from it all, as it isn't that easy to get to.
One wonders how much of the "eco" bit is really "can't be bothered to tidy up a bit". The tap water is sulpher-treated so it smells a bit, there is no hot water, and the huts are not exactly that sound-proof, having palm walls.
There is certainly better snorkelling in the Red Sea, but it isn't too bad. Had a few good dives, and saw rays and sharks.
After a few days we got into the Bangaram groove, and started to relax more. The food is very good. And the bar is nice in the evenings, the "Bangaram Binge" a chilled fresh coconut with the top cut off and filled with rum and two straws is fun !
Initially I did think we had made a mistake, it isn't perfectly groomed by any means. And the fishing boats that use the small bay can head off early. But there is a unique charm being that far away from anything else.
It takes a bit of getting used to, as it is pretty basic which borders on the scruffy. It isn't the Maldives, but then again...it isn't the Maldives. You really are away from it all, as it isn't that easy to get to.
One wonders how much of the "eco" bit is really "can't be bothered to tidy up a bit". The tap water is sulpher-treated so it smells a bit, there is no hot water, and the huts are not exactly that sound-proof, having palm walls.
There is certainly better snorkelling in the Red Sea, but it isn't too bad. Had a few good dives, and saw rays and sharks.
After a few days we got into the Bangaram groove, and started to relax more. The food is very good. And the bar is nice in the evenings, the "Bangaram Binge" a chilled fresh coconut with the top cut off and filled with rum and two straws is fun !
Initially I did think we had made a mistake, it isn't perfectly groomed by any means. And the fishing boats that use the small bay can head off early. But there is a unique charm being that far away from anything else.
Noger said:
Andaman & Nicobar islands ? Would love to visit there too.
If you are time fixed, like a honeymoon, it can be that one or the other is in monsoon at the time. So does rather limit you.
Should be practically free from any development; the Indians only allowed tourist access a couple of years ago, before that it was a restricted military area.If you are time fixed, like a honeymoon, it can be that one or the other is in monsoon at the time. So does rather limit you.
hidetheelephants said:
Noger said:
Andaman & Nicobar islands ? Would love to visit there too.
If you are time fixed, like a honeymoon, it can be that one or the other is in monsoon at the time. So does rather limit you.
Should be practically free from any development; the Indians only allowed tourist access a couple of years ago, before that it was a restricted military area.If you are time fixed, like a honeymoon, it can be that one or the other is in monsoon at the time. So does rather limit you.
k it up. There is nothing worse in india than an indian national on holiday. The adaman islands have some pretty rare marine life, dugon for example plus many more. This is the reason, I was lead to believe, it was restricted access. You also need a visa to go there and you can only stay a maximum of 2 weeks though this might have changed but I doubt it. It really is a area of great national beauty and the beaches are completely unspoiled. You can get a boat there that takes 72hrs and last time I was on it it cost about 60 rupees. I think you can also fly there from Madras (Chenni) or perhaps its from Bangkok but anyway its only during a certain few months of the year that planes operate.
The adamans are wonderfull but its not really a tourist spot. There is no big 5 star hotels there for example and life is basic to say the least.
Mr Darcy said:
hidetheelephants said:
Noger said:
Andaman & Nicobar islands ? Would love to visit there too.
If you are time fixed, like a honeymoon, it can be that one or the other is in monsoon at the time. So does rather limit you.
Should be practically free from any development; the Indians only allowed tourist access a couple of years ago, before that it was a restricted military area.If you are time fixed, like a honeymoon, it can be that one or the other is in monsoon at the time. So does rather limit you.
k it up. There is nothing worse in india than an indian national on holiday. The adaman islands have some pretty rare marine life, dugon for example plus many more. This is the reason, I was lead to believe, it was restricted access. You also need a visa to go there and you can only stay a maximum of 2 weeks though this might have changed but I doubt it. It really is a area of great national beauty and the beaches are completely unspoiled. You can get a boat there that takes 72hrs and last time I was on it it cost about 60 rupees. I think you can also fly there from Madras (Chenni) or perhaps its from Bangkok but anyway its only during a certain few months of the year that planes operate.
The adamans are wonderfull but its not really a tourist spot. There is no big 5 star hotels there for example and life is basic to say the least.
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