The snow-capped mountains, waterfalls amidst the green, or barren deserts are no doubt a part of our Earth’s miracle. But a soothing getaway to the islands of Lakshadweep is incomparable. Here, each location is nothing less than a utopia. And traveling to the Arabians for a break from the chaos of every day is a desire that our travelers indeed fulfilled.

Ritvik currently stays in the United States and works as a Software Engineer at Apple. Years back, his knack for photography grew into a passion. Traveling around some of the admired destinations of the world, he makes sure to capture it all in a frame. So when he hoped to explore the tropical regions of India, nothing seemed better than the zen islands of Lakshadweep. 

Heading South

As soon as he finalized his destination, the research began. Entry permits, accommodations, tourist places, adventures, he planned it all with the help of the official Lakshadweep tourism website. Due to the pandemic, there were a few more additional rules regarding vaccination. There is a certain permit that needs to be authorized for traveling to the islands. Nevertheless, Ritvik professes that it was all luck that he got the permits issued with ease. 

The first day was all about traveling. And for this trip, Ritvik’s travel buddy was his mom. After a flight from Delhi to Kochi, he flew to Agatti (the only airport in Lakshadweep). The coral beauty of Agatti seemed like a perfect marine destination to unwind.

Walking across the island, he visited some of the northern beaches. The sight of a cheerful community enjoying their day by the beach in such pleasant weather was refreshing. Along with this, there are a few Religious monuments and museums to visit. 

Every island offers a unique escapade and there is so much to discover. And although Agatti was a popular choice for many tourists, Ritvik had other plans in mind. So the next morning, they took a shuttle boat to their main destination- Bangaram. 

Bangaram

This untouched and uninhabited island looks just like something out of a painting. Looking at the jaw-dropping scenery in front of him, Ritvik couldn’t wait to cease every second of it. At Bangaram there is a single resort near the shore that offers beach cottages to stay at and appetizing cuisines to nourish. 

In the next three days, he checked off every ocean-related activity that this island offered. Mornings are the best time to be active and dive into the boundless ocean. And in the middle of the day, relaxing at the huts and staring into the abyss is as enchanting as it sounds. 

When it comes to the ocean activities Ritvik experienced, there were both tranquil and adrenaline-rushing. One of these was Scuba Diving. Under the crystal clear waters of Bangaram, laid the corals of the marines. The silence of the sea spoke aloud with abundant fishes encircling him. And this wonderful memory was captured by the organizers with a Go Pro. 

Just keep swimming!

In the evening, Ritvik set forth to kayaking around the island which was tiring yet serene at the same time. Sailing into the middle of nowhere was the perfect way to catch a glimpse of the sunset. Back at the shore, he got a chance to chat with the other tourists as they settled down near the bonfire. 

Another water sport that had a variety of thrilling activities to choose from was Snorkeling (Shore snorkeling, Shipwreck snorkeling, and Coral Garden snorkeling). In the middle of the channel, there is a shipwreck that can be explored. With schools of fishes swimming along, the dive felt surreal. 

Unlike our traveler who is a competitive swimmer, there are many who do not long to go underwater. For them, there are shallow waters to drift along. The 2.30 sq. Kms long island can be trailed within a few hours. The sandbanks are untouched and the only footprints you see are yours. Ritvik finds watching a breathtaking sunset with a laid-back feel one of the most calming hours of his day. Time flew by as he captured the blues and yellows of Lakshadweep in his camera.

No Snakes, No Dogs, No Theft

The life of locals seems like a musical. Everyone greets each other with a wave or smile and that’s what makes this community so hospitable. There is nothing to be afraid of while traveling solo. If you stay there long enough, you will end up befriending the locals as well as the guests. So talking about their safe and carefree lifestyle, a local once said ‘no snakes, no dogs, no theft’.

Prices:

• Flight Charges- INR 13,000/-
• Accommodation- INR 7,000/- [per day]
• Food- INR 400/- [Buffet Style Meal]
• Ocean-Activities- Ranging from INR 200/- to 800/-
• Boats Between Islands- INR 2,000/- [per person]

Suggestions:

• October to March is a good time to visit.
• The net is slow and only BSNL or Airtel networks are available.
• You can become a certified Scuba Instructor within a week at quite cheaper rates.

This was Ritvik’s awe-mazing trip to Lakshadweep, for more photos and videos check out his page: @ritvikupadhyaya

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