Day 1
Boarded train 16526 – Kanyakumari Island express at 5:50 AM. Even though it was too early, dad dropped me in the car, to the railway station. I was a bit late, and as soon as we reached the station, the train arrived ( alas, the perils of early rising, which I prayed that I would overcome soon). I boarded the train and inside, It was a bit dark inside and kept my luggage under the seat – my red airbag. I quickly jumped on to my side lower seat. When the TT ( ticket checker ) came, in a hurry, I tried to open my zip,and the zip broke off ! I was really worried now. I had a 5 day cruise trip ahead of me, I had the main zip of the bag open, leaving all my things opened.
I waited till 7:00 AM and called up George pepan and asked me if he knew any place, where I could repair the bag. And he told me about this shoe repair guy, right outside the stations, who could fix my airbag zip. Even though it was early in the morning, I sincerely hoped, he would be there and that he would be able to fix my bag.
Please note that there are two railway stations for Ernakulam and this train would stop at Ernakulam North, also known as Ernakulam. I reached the station at 7:45 AM.
Once I came out, I went to the hotel opposite to the place and had idly and Sambhar. It was tasty as well as reasonable. I came out and as expected, I found the zip repair guy next to railway station ( close to the auto stand ) He had it repaired in few minutes time and then I went to the prepaid counter and told Wellington island. Once inside the auto, I requested him to take me to the Lakshadweep warf. Please note that, there are different warfs to go to different destinations. I paid the toll, also along the way.
Engine room visit in the evening
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Day 2
Boarded boat at 7:54 am . There is not even a single stray dog anywhere .No crows, eagles . It’s always clear sky. And it looks so close and blue.
Privilege to start your day, observing sunrise and not with miscalls or worries of the day
At mini coy. Reached the island at 9:00 am. Boarded a open tempo. Travelling along shore line. Forest. Lots of buildings in the beginning. Then forest. Lots of bikes, even new ones. Cool morning breeze. Moderate temperature. Very few people on the road. Reached destination at 9:15 am
Light house
Reached light house at 9:15 am. Reached just above the top floor in 10 minutes. Waited 5 minutes. Spend almost 30 minutes at top. 28 steps per floor . 7 floors. Awesome view. Steps are not wide. Requires good physical strength. Open view at the top. Started from light house at 10:18 am. Took many photos.
Day 3 morning
Woke up at 6:00 am. Saw sunrise today also. Today we are getting down at Kalpeni. There are passengers in the ship( not tourists) who will get down here. They will disembark first.
The ship was able to go very close to the island. In mini coy, yesterday, because of the shallow water, we had tho travel by boat for almost 30 minutes.
Since we are close to the shore, there is lot of swaying. Yesterday when I climbed the steps to the watch tower also I realized, how much physical stamina you require to do these and still be able to enjoy all the sights.
Yesterday night, I came to the top. Listened to her explaining about stars – Gemini : gateway to heaven – because all of them pass through it. After spent time, just looking at the waves, the starry sky and darkness. We started moving at 8:45 pm and stopped just an hour back
It was the most beautiful sight, I have ever seen, so many stars, each of the group with a beautiful glow. Made me so strong and weak at the same time.
Travelling by the normal boat, and open vehicles ( yesterday) may not be suitable for all the sophisticated people out there.
If you’re looking for plain fun and experience, this is for you.
It’s 7:00 am and I am going for breakfast now.
Day 3 afternoon
My first selfie video at Kalpeni. Today I screamed, shouted and sang, surrounded by no one other than nature.
Talked to the girl who does PhD in astronomy at max Planck institute Germany. It was very interesting to talk to her. Who said, girls cannot be technical? Half of the stuff she said, went over my head. She has clear cut plans about what she wants to do. Found her staring at the waves. She spends a lot of time thinking. It’s interesting to see, different types of people. She did graduation in physics at Pune university and Masters at Germany.She studies how far the planet’s are created from the halo surrounding a star
Then her dad came and she left and I just sat there. Came to the shore, and went for snorkelling
It was the first time, and when I plunged my head in the water, I felt suffocated.But then, I got the hang of it. I just hung in there. Then went for kayaking alone. I realized I did have good stamina, and I was getting a hang of rowing. I went far into the open sea. It was an extremely peaceful experience
From 10:45 to 12:45, I had an an amazing experience alone.Difficult to explain…..
From 1:00 to 2:30 we had lunch. Then there was local kalaripayattu kind of dance . (I took video of them in my dslr)
Day 3 evening
All roads in mini coy as well as Kalpeni are in concrete. Each place, all of them use a particular mode of transport.
At kalpeni, maruti omni was there most prominent. The driver told me that, they buy the vehicles from Calicut. Oil change and other minor repairs are done on the island but for major repair you need to go to the main land.
I was told, that people from outside cannot own land here. And because I could see that there’s no large scale industrialization on the island .
Post lunch and after the dance program we headed to the cocunut factory where I bought coconut oil for mom and dad and tuna for Sonia and me. I haven’t got anything for Narmadha and Ambika.
The population of Kalpeni is 5000 and there are 500 houses. Inside the island, you almost feel like you’re in Kerala, because of the way houses are constructed and also because most people speak Malayalam.
Also after time at the sea, the bathrooms given are just average and the water had a little bit smell. As I said before, the trip is not for cleanliness freak or the faint hearted.
There is music going on right now, and I feel so relaxed
Day 3, night
Met Ajay ( who works at Siemens as engineer for data management for design software) and sachin, CA, who works as auditor for Fujitsu at Pune.
Sachin books through internet, by checking out itenery of tourist packages and choosing those through makemytrip etc
Met Aneesh at night. He worked as a post officer at Kavaratti. Such a positive energetic young guy. Now he plans to join postal wing of auditor and controller
Aneesh said there are 3 types of diving. 3 meters and 15 meters. He showed me photos he had taken using gopro. It looked just awesome.
He told me, vessels are small and can travel fast.
