Kalpeni Islands, Lakshadweep

DAY 5: KALPENI ISLAND

DAY 3: OF LAKSHADWEEP CRUISE – KALPENI ISLAND

After sailing overnight, we reached near Kalpeni Islands.

Sunrise

Just like the previous day, after breakfast we disembarked on small boats and headed to Kalpeni Island in small boats in batches. As we landed on the island we were taken to the resort in SPORTS arranged vans and mini trucks. As such the landscape & scenery of Kalpeni was quite different from Minicoy. We could see a couple of small islands on our way to resort. We were again welcomed here with coconut water. It had started raining and therefore we were asked to wait at the resort. A little away from the resort, in the sea we could see two islands.

The Two Islands

Once the rain subsided, we were taken to one of these two islands for kayaking and snorkeling. Just like Minicoy this island also had clear water. There was not much of a beach here and whatever there was, was filled with dead corrals. The water bed was also filled with sea cucumber.

We all tried our hands at snorkeling. A long tube  is used for breathing, the open end of which is always above the water surface while the other end, equipped with a rubber mouth needed to be bitten tightly between your lips. One had to breathe in and out through mouth like scuba diving. The purpose was similar; it allowed one to see the underwater world. But because you didn’t carry oxygen cylinder, you could go only about 4-5 feet below the surface, otherwise the open end of the tube would go below water and saline sea water would go in your respiratory passages. The advantage is that you can do it alone but in shallow water. We saw the corals, sea cucumbers and loads of colored fish.

Snorkelling

Since there were lot of tourists keen to try their hand at snorkeling and limited equipment. Hence we snorkeled for sometime and then gave the apparatus to the waiting tourists. Post this, I had the most fascinating time in water. I was just lying flat in water with the entire body under the water with only my nostril above the water surface. The life jacket kept me floating without me moving an inch of my leg. It was super cool ;)

We again went for kayaking, because we had some experience of it in Minicoy this time it was fun.

Kayaking & North Point

Once everyone was through with snorkeling and kayaking we were taken back to the resort in small boats. Back in the shaded huts, we had our lunch in open air and sat to relax.

A folk dance was organized by “SPORTS” authorities. About ten to twelve men right from their teen to 70’s wearing colour coordinated dhotis and tshirts danced in circles to the tune of local folk music. There were no songs being played on CD or something. They played their own instruments and sang their own song.  There dance was similar to the dandiya / garba dance.

Folk Dance

Post the folk dance we visited a coconut factory which produced dry coconut powder, coconut oil and laddus made from coconut. This was followed by a visit to the cotton hosiery factory. The factory produced nice cotton tees with coconut trees on it and Lakshadweep printed on it. The cost of the tshirts was also very economical but soon we realized that none of us was any money and therefore we couldn’t buy any t-shirt.

Sea opposite the coconut factory

From here we were taken to the north-most point of the island. The shore here too is covered with dead corals. It has a beautiful view and it is the point of the island from where you can see both, the sunrise as well as the sunset.

Nikhil, Me, Preeti, Taashi, Parth, Pramod

North Point of Kalpeni

After watching the beautiful point of the island we headed back to the resort to have our evening tea. Post the evening tea we bid good bye to Kalpeni Island and headed to our ship which was waiting for us in the open sea. It had become dark and we boarded the last boat to our ship. Though dark, our ship was well lit and easily visible at sea. It had started drizzling and thus the sea wind has become chilly.

M.V. Kavaretti in the middle of the sea

Getting on the boat to go to M.V.Kavaretti

We enjoyed the island a lot – it was a good mix of water sports and beautiful views. After the dinner we again watched a Charlie chaplin movie and then dozed off.

Points to remember:

• We went to Lakshadweep Island through Lakshadweep Samundram Package which is a five day cruise to visit the islands of Minicoy, Kalpeni and Kavaretti by ship M.V. Kavaretti. The package is arranged by The Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports (SPORTS), a Government undertaking. The island tour is organized during the day with lunch and refreshments ashore. Nights are spent on board the ship. M.V Kavaratti has 150 Diamond class accommodations. Swimming, snorkeling and other water sports are arranged during the day tour. Children from 1 year and above up to 10 years will be treated as child.

Package include:

1. First class cabin accommodation
2. All 3 time meals [breakfast Lunch and Dinner] morning and evening tea or coffee
3. Welcome drink at the island.
4. All 3 island sightseeing.
5. Water sports Kayaking Snorkeling and glass boat 1 time 
6. Entry permit and Entry Ticket
7. Compliment T Shirts and Caps
8. All the Government taxes.
9. Our personal assistance on the ship and Island

Please note scuba diving is not included in the package. You can avail scuba diving by paying at the scuba diving center.

• There is no mobile network on the ship and on the islands except of BSNL. So, say goodbye to facebook, watsapp, twitter or whatever else that you are hooked to. You might find network on Kavaretti Island.
• If you get sea sick, kindly take your medication along.
• Foreigners are not allowed in Lakshadweep, except on Bangaram Island.
• Lakshadweep is a no plastic zone. Please don’t litter.
• You are not allowed to carry corrals. It’s a punishable act.
• Expense Details of the day:

Expense Particulars	Amount for 4 people	Amount per head
--	--	--
TOTAL

Minicoy Island, Lakshadweep

DAY 4: MINICOY ISLAND

DAY 2: OF LAKSHADWEEP CRUISE – MINICOY ISLAND

Minicoy is said to the most beautiful of all the Lakshadweep Islands. Due to its geographical closeness to Maldives, Minicoy gives you the feel of being in Maldives. If you look at Lakshadweep in the map, you will notice that Minicoy is a single dot quite far from the cluster of Lakshadweep Islands. People in Minicoy speak the same language as Maldives whereas rest of the islands of Lakshadweep speaks a mixture of Malayalam, Tamil & Urdu.

Welcome to Minicoy Island !!!

Men at work

Had good intention of getting up early to see the sun rise but all in vain. I slept like a dog. However Parth & Nikhil were up and on the upper deck to watch the sunise. But they got a shock of their lives when they discovered their DSLR’s had fogged up (AC to non AC) and were showing no signs of clearing up for at-least an hour. Both of them used my camera to take pics of the sun rise.

I got up when the announcement speaker was shouting that the canteen will be closed soon for breakfast and the disembarkement will start shortly. After a quick shower and a quick breakfast, we were ready for our first disembarkment and excited to visit Minicoy Islands.

The ship had anchored in the open sea around 5 kms from the main island because it could not go near the island as the island was surrounded by shallow lagoons. Small boats from the island came to the ship to pick us up in small batches. It was compulsory for us to wear the yellow colour “Huchilco” life jackets made in New Zealand. SPORTS staff was very warm and guided us in disembarkement.

Soon we boarded a medium sized boat and were off to Minicoy Island. As we moved closer to the shore the sea water became more and more emerald green and finally became transparent.

Disembarkement from M.V. Kavaretti

The sight of seeing our ship from the small boat was something to behold. As we drew closer to the island we could see the shape of the island coming into form. Then gradually we could see the greenery – which became swaying coconut trees on closer look.

Finally we reached the island and we were immediately taken to the light house in cars & pick-ups. It had started drizzling but it had stopped by the time we reached the lighthouse. Minicoy had narrow but well maintained cement roads, street lights and absolutely no litter.

Our Welcome Drink

Our welcome drink was coconut water and we were then advised to see the light house.

Lighthouse

There is no ticket required for the light house but you need to pay Rs. 20 if you want to take the camera. The lighthouse offers some breathtaking views of the island from the top. Every inch of the island is covered with coconut grooves and you can see the blue sea along with the vast horizon.

View from the top of the Lighthouse

After enjoying ourselves atop the light house we were taken to a resort. The beach was deserted with pristine clear water. White sand, clear water, untouched beauty.. it was breath taking. Also, since it was a lagoon and isolated from the main ocean the water was calm and the waves were not hitting the beach.

In the middle of no where

We were given free time till lunch to enjoy the beach & water sports. We could do kayaking (included in the package) and scuba diving (on extra charge). First we just went inside the sea… went in to feel the clear water, the soft sand, to feel the spot less beauty. After spending some time in water, Nikhil and Parth went for scuba diving and Preeti and I went for kayaking. After a while I again went for kayaking with Pramod. We kayaked to our hearts extent and then came back. It was relaxing and loads of fun (but requires lot of energy pheewwww).

Kayaking

When I looked around, I found that most tourists were busy kayaking, collecting shells, playing in the water, children just jumping in the knee deep water. The water – a beautiful shade of blue, white sandy beach, and cloudless blue sky all combined together cast a spell on the eyes of the beholder. It was so serene and pleasant that you just want to keep staring at the view, hoping the moment will never end. Just looking at it was like meditation.

By then it was lunch time. We all changed into fresh clothes and had lunch. After lunch we were given some time to relax on the beach and were then taken for sight seeing. 

Minicoy Island

We were shown a long snake boat which was made by the people of the island and which is used in the boating competition which happens between the islands.

After the evening tea and snacks it was time to leave Minicoy Island and head to our home on the sea. We got on the small boats and headed back to our ship. 

Back to M.V. Kavaretti

Once on the ship we freshened up and went to our favourite place of the ship (deck) to capture the stunning sunset. There is nothing like a beautiful sunset to end a fun filled day.

Taashi - Kaku Moment

The sky broke like an egg into full sunset and the water caught fire.

Tangerine Sunset

Shades of Sky

We also had the opportunity to spend about 30 mins at the bridge of the ship. This is the place from where the ship is run (like a cockpit in an airplane). there are many instruments panels which help gauge the wind direction & speed, sonar to spot the reefs, panels reflecting the air temperature & pressure within each section of the ship, PA system and also a device which charts out the route map to your next destination. Its exciting to see the calmness with which the crew is at ease keeping an eye on all these instruments and keeping the ship on course.

Post our dinner at 8:00 pm we all enjoyed a movie of Charlie Chaplin on our laptop and went off to sleep. Tomorrow we would visit another island – Kalpeni Island.

Points to remember:

• We went to Lakshadweep Island through Lakshadweep Samundram Package which is a five day cruise to visit the islands of Minicoy, Kalpeni and Kavaretti by ship M.V. Kavaretti. The package is arranged by The Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports (SPORTS), a Government undertaking. The island tour is organized during the day with lunch and refreshments ashore. Nights are spent on board the ship. M.V Kavaratti has 150 Diamond class accommodations. Swimming, snorkeling and other water sports are arranged during the day tour. Children from 1 year and above up to 10 years will be treated as child.

Package include:

1. First class cabin accommodation
2. All 3 time meals [breakfast Lunch and Dinner] morning and evening tea or coffee
3. Welcome drink at the island.
4. All 3 island sightseeing.
5. Water sports Kayaking Snorkeling and glass boat 1 time 
6. Entry permit and Entry Ticket
7. Compliment T Shirts and Caps
8. All the Government taxes.
9. Our personal assistance on the ship and Island

Please note scuba diving is not included in the package. You can avail scuba diving by paying at the scuba diving center.

• There is no mobile network on the ship and on the islands except of BSNL. So, say goodbye to facebook, watsapp, twitter or whatever else that you are hooked to. You might find network on Kavaretti Island.
• If you get sea sick, kindly take your medication along.
• Foreigners are not allowed in Lakshadweep, except on Bangaram Island.
• Lakshadweep is a no plastic zone. Please don’t litter.
• You are not allowed to carry corrals. It’s a punishable act.
• Expense Details of the day:

Expense Particulars	Amount for 4 people	Amount per head
Scuba Diving		3,000
TOTAL		3,000