Scuba Diving-An Experience of a Lifetime

During our recent trip to Andaman, I was most looking forward to my first scuba diving experience.  Having never gone scuba diving before, we wondered if we would get nervous or claustrophobic 40-50 feet under water; but we wouldn’t know until we tried it.

On the day of the dive, we woke up early in the morning and headed over to the Havelock Island byn a Private Ferry from Port Blair. There were several people sitting out front chatting with each other & waiting for the Ferry to depart.The Ferry took 1.5 Hrs to reach havelock.After reaching We were greeted with a big smile and from Sam,A PADI Certified Instructor.He welcomed us into his scuba shop and gave us the run-down of what to expect for our first time scuba diving.  He partnered us up with two experienced divers to learn the basics & safety maneuvers in the shallow water before heading out to the nearby reef.

He Then accompanied us to Beach No. 2 which is approximately 10 min by boat from our dive centre At the dive site the  instructor allowed us to get comfortable while breathing with Scuba and then taught basic exercises in shallow water which will be used during our dive.

I Loved the Calmness of being Submerged,the Hypnotic Sound of my Breath and the Quiet Clicks of Fish Eating Coral.

TRIP TO ANDAMAN

The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are unique. It is unlike any other place in India. The Islands are shrouded in the mystery for centuries because of their inaccessability. A paragon of beauty, these islands present a landscape of scenic and picturesque extravaganza, shimmering like emeralds in the Bay of Bengal
Long fabled among travellers for its legendary beaches, world-class diving and far-flung location in the middle of nowhere, the Andaman Islands are still the ideal place to get away from it all.lovely opaque emerald waters are surrounded by primeval jungle and mangrove forest, and snow-white beaches that melt under flame-and-purple sunsets.The best season to visit these beautiful islands is from November to March.

Cellular Jail

Also known as Kaala Paani (black waters), the cellular jail is perhaps one of the most infamous remnants of India’s struggle for independence.The building comprised of 7 wings which were designed in a criss-cross pattern with its center being a tower used by the guards to keep a close watch on the prisoners.Andaman had been the location, where the convicts charged against the British regime were kept behind the bars. Therefore, Cellular Jail enfolds a great past under its realms. As a result, tourists, as well as enthusiasts, come to the Cellular Jail to witness the suffering that the freedom fighters had gone through.

The most famous prisoner to be held at the Cellular Jail was "Veer Savarkar". The Cellular jail was known for its infamous cruelty meted out to prisoners, made to toil under the extreme vagaries of nature without food and water alike, death for the prisoners was an easier option rather than a release or escape.
Torture was meted out to the Prisoners both physically and mentally, by making them to work for long hours on a hand driven oil extractor made of iron to extract coconut and mustard oil and mentally by meeting the prisoners with lashings and left in the open grounds of the prison and forcing the prisoners to watch the executions of their fellow mates.

CHIDIYATAPU

Chidiya Tapu, also known as "Sunset Point" and "Bird Island," is one of the best places to see the sunset in Port Blair, the main hub of the Andaman Islands.Chidiyatapu is a tiny fishing village situated at the southern most tip of South Andaman Island. It is about 25 km from Port Blair in Andaman District. The place is also famous for its 46 varieties of endemic birds, white spotted deer and seasonal orchids. This village has earned the name, Bird Island.

Chidiya Tapu has a trek of 2.5kms which leads to Munda Pathar. The view point is to die for. You have to climb the mountain and the view that opens up is surreal. It is also called "Suicide Point". There is a stand alone huge boulder which is joined by a very thin bridge from the mountain. Needless to say, it is barricaded and nobody should get into the act of a "Stuntman". The repercussions will be very serious - meeting with the Almighty !

The only beach near by the city, corbyn's cove gets its name due to its unique shape, being one of its kind in the country and is named after Corbyn Chaplain of Port Blair. The beach is flanked at the edges by Japanese Bunkers to remind visitors of the days of Japanese occupation of the island. The pristine sands and water make it an experience to remember for any visitor.

At a distance or 30 Kms form Port Blair is Wandoor & Mahatma Gandhi National Park, the sanctuary of restricted Islands. The region is controlled by the Forest Department to protect the Marine Flora and Fauna from frequent human interference.A few of the Islands are open for visitors and entry for the same is regulated and requires prior permission from the forest department.

THE TRANSFORMATION -"FAT TO FIGHTING FIT"

Tata Global Beverages’ iconic global Tea brand Tetley which is sold over 40 countries internationally has launched a new web series “ The Transformation”. Tetley Green Tea Transformation follows 19 contestants on a lifechanging journey

 

Tetley Green tea has 100% natural ingredients and is a great tasting product that has five times more antioxidants than fruits and vegetables. It is healthy, tasty and has many exciting flavors to choose from - Cinnamon and Honey is soothing and relaxing Citrus and spice is tangy and delightful. Aloe Vera is infused with the natural goodness of the Aloe vera plant. It already has flavors such as Assam tea in Black tea category, Ginger, Mint, Lemon and Honey & Lemon in green tea category and Masala, Lemon, Ginger, Elaichi, Tulsi & Lemon, Earl Grey in its flavored tea portfolio.Available in six unique flavors.‘Tetley Green tea’ urges wellness and fitness seeking consumers.

 

Tetley Green Tea in association with Jossbox.com announces The Transformation, a one of a kind reality web series that will follow 19 contestants from varied backgrounds as they go from fat to fighting fit, achieving their fitness goals and transforming their lives from the inside out.

 

Sponsored by Tetley Green Tea and produced by Jossbox.com, the show will feature 12 episodes and takes place over 12 weeks at Bangalore’s state of the art Fitness Fight Club and Circuit Force, a martial arts gym and a functional fitness training centre owned by third generation Singaporean, ex-boxer and soldier, Austin Prakesh.In "The Transformation" Series , the trainers will take Contestants through their fitness journey 

You can visit on www.thetransformation.in or YouTube  to watch the latest episodes and keep up with your favourite contestants.

 

The Contestants from Various Fields are:

 

Alisha 'Lishes' Furniturewalla: The Bride to Be

Adarsh 'Moosa' Darira: The Graduate

Mansi 'Xena' Shah: The Globetrotter

Nikita 'Koi' D'Souza: The HR Manager

Sonali 'Tora' Mudarth: The Artist

Lester 'Thalaiva' D'Couto: The Radio Jockey

Siddharth 'Hunter' Nair: The Foodie

Aashil 'Kai' Nair: The Family Man

Nivedith 'Kung Fu Panda' G: The Social Media Marketer

Sheridan 'Cupcake' Brass: The Entertainer

Leah 'Khaleesi' Anna Joseph: The Aspiring Actress

Shekhar 'Sunshine' Vijayan: The Stand Up Comedian      

Mihika 'Storm' Nadia Crasta: The Student

Sabrina 'Bella' Suhail: The Makeup Artist

Baashobe ‘Musashi’ Majumdar: The Startup Entrepreneur

Varsha 'Angel Wings' Singh: The Biker Chick

Genevieve 'Anastasia' Luiz: The Corporate Queen

 

In the first season of The Transformation, viewers will have ringside seats as they watch a total of 19 contestants embark on a 12-week journey that will transform their lives. In addition to grueling workouts at Fitness Fight Club and Circuit Force where they will be trained under martial arts experts from around the world in the schools of boxing, kickboxing and jiu jitsu, all under the watchful eyes of Austin Prakesh, contestants will also learn how to eat right and incorporate holistic changes into their lifestyles that will result in achieving their long term fitness goals.

 

Contestants will be eliminated through exciting group and individual challenges, which will culminate in one male and one female winner in the series finale.

 

The series is already live from October 14th and features a host of contestants, including restaurant critics, makeup artists, radio jockeys and musicians, all competing with one goal in mind: to achieve athlete level fitness, change their lives and, ultimately, to win a Rs. 1 lakh cash prize.

 

Do follow the series on:

· Website: www.thetransformation.in

· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TetleyGreenTea

· YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCs6FUtRkGi61LNC-7i5NjOe0EQj7Fxt8

· Twitter: https://twitter.com/tetleygreentea