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Tarun
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Goa the beauty !
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| The former Portuguese colony
of Goa offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the world with
palm bordered golden sand edging the aquamarine of the Arabian Sea.
There still exists a Mediterranean atmosphere in the sleepy white-washed
towns and villages where the mood is as gentle and unhurried as the
countryside. Goa is easily accesible by air from Delhi, Bombay or
Cochin. With its excellent range of hotels Goa really is the ideal
place to relax after your journey in India ( Taj Hotels, The Leela
Goa, Park Hyatt Goa & Many more beach Resorts). |
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[ Goa Beaches ]
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The Andaman & Nicobar Islands
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[ Andaman & Nicobar Islands ]
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Located in the Bay of Bengal in the East
coast of India, the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
is an archipelago of over 300 islands, a majority of which
are uninhabited. The islands are surrounded by some of the best coral
reefs, sandy beaches and clear water in the world.
The islands were used by the British in the 19th century, mainly for
imprisoning Indian freedom fighters in the infamous 'Cellular Jail'.
The original inhabitants of the islands are of Mongoloid and Negroid
origin and consist of several tribes, chief among which are the Onge,
Andamanese, Shompen, Nicobarese and Jarawa. The tribal population
is fast dwindling. The islands have a tropical climate |
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Temperatures range between 23 and 30 degrees
centigrade. The islands witness two monsoons, when the seas become rough.
One is between mid-May and October, and the other is a short period sometime
in November-December. Best time to visit is October to April.
Foreigners need permits to visit the Andaman Islands, and are not permitted
to visit the Nicobar Islands.
Permits are available for 15 to 30 days at the Port Blair airport on landing.
Shipping Corporation of India requires permits to be obtained before issuing
of tickets. These can be obtained from Indian embassies abroad or from the
Foreigners Registration Offices in Chennai and Calcutta.
Port Blair the capital is connected by flights from Delhi, Calcutta,
Madras & Bombay. |
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THE LAKSHADWEEP ISLANDS
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| Located in the Arabian Sea off the south-eastern
coast of India, the charm of Lakshadweep Islands (known as Lacadive
Islands till 1973) lies in their remoteness. Far from the chaos of
civilization as we know it, they represent a rather magical realm
of existence. |
Each island is densely covered with coconut
palms, and serenely set in a sea, the waters of which range from palest
aquamarine and turquoise, to deepest sapphire and lapis lazuli. They
are India's only coral islands.
The Lakshadweep chain of islands are coral atolls. An atoll is a coral
organism lying exactly at the surface of the ocean where air and water
meet; this being the only condition under which coral can live. The
coral here is shaped like a ring and encircles a staggeringly beautiful
emerald-blue lagoon. Each atoll is the topmost point of a submarine
pillar of limestone extending several thousand feet from an extinct
volcano.
Casino group of hotel own a beautiful island called Bangaram
which is famous with Honeymooners
for providing them exclusive beach and cottage. |
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[ Lakshadweep ]
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| Tempting as it is, to pick up a coral as a souvenir,
it is strictly illegal, being punishable with heavy fines. Non-availability
of drinking water accounts for a number of islands being uninhabited. |
[ Water Sports - Diving ]
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Of the 36 islands covering a land area
of 32 sq. km, only 10 are inhabited. Ethnically, the people of the
islands are very similar to the people of the state of Kerala. The
majority are Muslims, and speak Malayalam except in Minicoy where
Mahli is spoken. Coconut cultivation and fishing, are the chief occupations
of the people, whose folklore and customs are, not surprisingly, largely
derived from the sea.
The people of Lakshadweep are often commended for their honesty. Lakshadweep
has a tropical climate, with summer temperatures ranging from 35 degrees
centigrade to 22 degrees centigrade and winter temperature between
32 degrees centigrade to 20 degrees centigrade. Monsoons are not the
best time to visit. |
| Tourists have to obtain permits and foreign tourists
are only allowed entry to specific islands. |
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The Coromandel Coast
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| Just South of Madras, the Coromandel coast offers
secluded beaches ideal for quiet and relaxing holidays. From the beach local
fisherman launch their catamarans at dawn. The Fishermans Cove Hotel provides
first class facilities with a relaxing atmosphere. |
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[ Coromandel coast]
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