Amazing Andaman: Neil Island - Sitapur Beach and Natural Bridge
|
Mangroves trying to kiss the lagoons |
Day3:
Next day morning, had a small walk around the beach in front of the resort. The beach here was not safe for playing in water, with rocks, insects and high tides, but was very scenic for a photo-shoot. Here too the beach was deserted without humans. There was a huge collection of sea shells found over here, due to very less human intervention.
|
Tango Resort beach |
You should certainly watch out your feet for the live seashells at the shoreline. Also found here are some dead corals in different shapes. Didn’t collect any of them, knowing the fact that these belong to the islands and also banned to carry them beyond Andaman Islands.
|
collection of sea shells |
|
live seashells at the shoreline |
Sitapur Beach:
Later the cab arrived and we left for Sitapur beach about 20mins drive on the other side of the Island. The beach here is in a circular shape and open to the sea resulting in a higher tides, there is a wall constructed after the road ends and beyond that one needs to descend through the steep steps. The beach is at a much lower height from the road, so most of them end up taking pics from the top, but not me. I went down to the shore and felt was very close to nature, being a lonely dweller in the entire beach.
|
Sitapur Bridge |
The beach so untouched that the only footprints on the beach were mine. There was a small water stream flowing from the Island into the Sea forming a beautiful and natural pattern on the sands. At Sitapur beach one can shop for shells and other sea stones.
|
Water stream flowing into the Sea |
Natural Bridge:
Having not spent much time at Sitapur, we left for the Natural Bridge for another ten min drive. There is a small trek route to the natural rock formation in the form of bridge. This spot can be best visited when there is low tide. After you trek down you got to witness the rocky beach with limestone rocks spread across the beach which are partially eroded in the salt waters probably due to the erosion with tides over thousands of years.
|
partially eroded limestone rocks in the salt waters |
To reach the natural bridge you have to walk through the seashores which is rich in marine life, and at times I was afraid if I would harm them or if I get bitten by one of them. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I could see star fish or a sea cucumber visible in the shallow waters between the rocks. There were also some strange sea creatures found in and around these rocks.
|
Marine life at Natural Bridge during low tides |
|
Star fish spotted near the Natural Bridge |
Didn’t spend much time here as it was not a safe and relaxing place. Just got the pics of the massive natural bridge formation and continued my way back to the parking space. There is a shop here which sells some snacks, had some fruit juice and banana here to refill the energy and avoid dehydration in a very humid journey further.
|
The Natural rock formation in the form of bridge |
After being so close to nature it was time to go back to the jetty to catch our Cruise for the most exciting part of the tour, the Havelock Island. Having reached quite early at the jetty, I couldn’t just sit under the tree and wait for the cruise. Went around the jetty to explore some more exciting places. What tempted me was the white sandy beach, crystal clear and still water covered with mangroves and the tranquility.
|
Crystal clear Lagoon at Neil Jetty |
I was more curious to go nearer and was again tempted to enter the shallow water. Here there were two children talking bath in the lagoon, so I felt it can be safe and finally couldn’t stop myself entering the waters. After I entered the lagoon just started to walk further near the mangroves. I’ve been always fascinated by the beauty of mangroves and wanted to gaze it with a close distance. The view here was the most serene in the whole of Neil Island. Gods true beauty felt, rejoicing all my senses to extent.
|
Clean waters and white sandy beaches of Neil Island |
|
The Mangrove Roots |
|
Mangroves of Neil Island |
|
Another view of the Mangroves at Neil Jetty |
|
Mangrove creek at Neil Island |
Having felt some marine creatures moving in the water, I felt I should leave the water and came out slowly. Having sighted the cruise coming our way from a distance, started towards the jetty for the next exotic Island.
"The feeling is meant to last forever in my heart, of the immense beauty of the Nature."
Click below for more on my Andaman experience,
Really NIce Post, this is awesome place Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteHavelock Island Resorts