I travelled to Port Blair with my sister from 28th October to 1st November, 2025. It felt like the perfect time to visit — the weather was pleasantly warm, the skies clear yet gentle, and the sea calm enough to welcome us. Budget-wise too, it was a great decision since it wasn’t the peak tourist season. There was a sense of ease everywhere — in the quiet beaches, in the slow rhythm of the island, and even in our own hearts.
This was my first trip with my sister alone, and that made it special from the very beginning. I was excited and curious about what the journey would bring — not just in terms of places to see, but in the bond we would share. My intention was simple: to explore the island together, to laugh, to talk, and in the process, to understand each other a little more deeply.
We spent around four nights and five days in Port Blair — a duration that felt just right. More than five days might have felt a bit repetitive since the island doesn’t have a vast number of places to explore, yet anything shorter would have left us wanting more. It felt like the perfect balance between exploration and rest.
Our stay at Sinclair’s Bayview added a quiet charm to the experience. The hotel was warm and welcoming, with simple yet thoughtful hospitality. The food was comforting, and the rooms carried a homely feeling that instantly put us at ease. What touched me most was the staff — their simplicity, warmth, and eagerness to help made the place feel like another home away from home.
The best part, though, was the location. Perched near the Bay, the hotel offered a breath-taking view — a stretch of blue meeting distant green hills, all under an endless sky. A short walk from the hotel would open up an expanded view of the mountains and the Bay, a true feast for the eyes and a soothing balm for the heart. Standing there, breathing in the sea air, everything felt slower, softer, and deeply peaceful.
I still remember the feeling that washed over me when we first landed. It was as though the air itself carried a calmness that immediately drew me in. The transition from the restless, noisy pulse of city life to the gentle rhythm of the islands felt like a homecoming of sorts. There was a small-town warmth everywhere — people smiled easily, spoke softly, and moved through life with a kind of effortless grace.
Something inside me shifted quietly. The mind that was always so active, thinking and rethinking, suddenly became still — as if soothed by the waves. It felt like a tamed friend, no longer rushing ahead, but simply walking beside me, observing, absorbing, living every moment fully.
Throughout my stay in Port Blair, I noticed a quiet transformation within me. My mind became calm, almost settled, working only when it was truly needed. The unnecessary chatter faded away, replaced by a soothing stillness. Surrounded by the vastness of the sea and sky, I could feel the immense power of nature — something so infinite that my own sense of self seemed to dissolve into it. In the city, it’s easy to feel like a separate being, moving in isolation. But here, amidst the waves and open horizons, I felt myself blending into the greater whole, like a single wave belonging naturally to the ocean.
We visited a few nearby islands and local spots, each carrying its own quiet charm. One of the most memorable experiences was our one-day trip to Havelock Island — a day filled with laughter, freshness, and a sense of renewal. The beaches there were pristine, their soft sands meeting the clear turquoise waters in perfect harmony. It was a heart-opening sight. Standing before the endless stretch of sea, I could feel a similar expansiveness awaken within me. What a liberating feeling it is when the mind moves beyond its narrow boundaries — when, even for a moment, we dissolve into the vastness around us and feel completely one with existence.
One morning, I decided to visit a local temple located just a short walk from our hotel. I went during the Aarti, when the air was filled with the fragrance of incense and the soft rhythm of devotional chants. It’s hard to put into words the delight I felt there — as if a divine light had awakened within me, wrapping me in a sense of protection and gentle care.
Not far from the temple was a spiritual ashram, which I visited a few times during my stay. The moment I entered, I could feel a distinct elevation in the energy — a quiet power rooted in selfless service. The volunteers there carried a serene grace in their attitude. One of them offered me Prasad and kindly asked about my well-being; that small gesture touched my heart deeply. It reminded me of a beautiful truth — that in serving others, we serve the Divine, and in doing so, we also serve ourselves.
Those walks to the temple and ashram became special in their own way. I would stroll through the nearby lanes, stop at small tea stalls, and talk with the local tea sellers. Our simple conversations made me feel truly connected — as if I had become a small part of their world, woven gently into the island’s daily rhythm.
I truly cherished the conversations I shared with my sister. Our hearts felt closer than ever, and through our time together, a quiet intimacy grew within our bond. The whole journey felt deeply enriching — not just as a travel experience, but as something that strengthened the thread of love and understanding between us.
During this trip, I also found myself connecting with animals in a gentle, almost sacred way. Whether it was a bird perched nearby or a stray dog resting peacefully in the sun, I felt an invisible bridge of empathy forming between us. It was as if life itself was whispering — reminding me that all beings are part of one continuous rhythm. This trip didn’t just bring me closer to nature or to my sister; it brought me closer to life itself.
As I look back on my days in Port Blair, I feel a quiet gratitude blooming within me. The island offered more than scenic beauty — it offered stillness, connection, and insight. It taught me that peace is not found in distance, but in presence. I returned with a calmer mind, a softer heart, and a deeper appreciation for life’s simple rhythms. Port Blair will always remain within me — not just as a place I visited, but as a gentle reminder of the islands within that I discovered.
 |
| "thinking and rethinking, suddenly became still — as if soothed by the waves" |
Read the previous articles on this blog: