25.02.20 : Limestone Caves

25/02/20 : Limestone Caves :
Got up fast, missed the alarm and Philo woke us up shocked at 2.45am and had to rush through to be in time for our 3am meeting.  We all were ready with our packed breakfast and left to reach the police crossing post, to be early.  We were waiting for the gate to open, sleeping meanwhile to make up for getting up early. Sharp at 6 am, the police gate opened and all the buses and cars like convoy was let through the Jarawa tribe sanctuary.  Each vehicle moves with just 1 meter gap, no stopping and we have to be on the look out to see the Jarawa tribe.  No photographs and the vehicles can’t stop.  After a long look out, we saw a group of Jarawas crossing in the forest, but before we could point out, they disappeared. After long drive of 3 & ½ hour drive (100kms) we crossed out of police barrier and reached the otherside.  Here we took a big boat where the buses, cars and people were loaded to cross the sea to reach Baratang island.

From here we took the speed boat to visit the Limestone Caves.  We had to walk through mangrove roots, fields and literally hiking to reach the caves, which is a a marvel of nature.  We were told not to touch the walls, to look at the caves and imagine the carvings, which looked like roaring lion, elephants etc.  There were both stalactites and stalagmites, formed by the limestone.  We walked back all the ways.  Returned by speed boats. 

Limestone Caves Andaman :When it comes to the Limestones caves in Andaman, this saying rings true. The beautiful Limestone caves in Andaman are a visual treat to a nature lover. Limestone is a sedimentary rock formed at the bottom of the sea. It is formed over millions of years when various deposits of marine life, shells, corals and skeletons undergo a natural compression to form unique shapes within the cave. The caves are lined up with stalactites and stalagmites that hold the secret of a million years of Andaman. Nestled deep within the mangroves and amidst the lush rainforest, the Limestone caves. The rare set of caves have both stalactites and stalagmites in the same cave. Most people love to interpret their own thoughts on the shapes. Stalactite finds its origin in the Greek word stalaktos, which means “dripping”. These are the conical shapes you see hanging from the roof of the cave. Water reacts with carbon di oxide to form carbonic acid which drips through the roof of the cave making calcium carbonate deposits. The deposits harden over a period of time to form stalactites. Stalagmites: Stalagmite finds its origin in the Greek word stalagma, to “drop”. Stalagmites are stalactites in reverse. They are conical rock like structures formed on the floor of the cave. They rise when calcium carbonate builds up over time as mineral-bearing water drips from the roof of the cave. Columns: In a rare occurrence, the stalactites and stalagmites meet at a point and as a whole harden into one ‘column’.

Mud Volcano : From here we went by mini bus to visit the Mud Volcano.  We had to climb up a big steep hill, with lots of steps. Many people put us off by saying nothing much to see, but we climbed up, atlast reached.  Here saw 6 – 7 spouts of mounds, formed by gases and grey liquids excreted by the earth’s interior.  Grey mud in a semi solid state coming out of the volcano. A rare natural wonder.  Philo took the grey paste and applied on her painful joints.  It helped to relieve the pain.

Mud volcano near Baratang is a natural wonder. Baratang island is the only place in South-Asia which can has a mud volcano. This is formed by gases and liquids excreted by the earth’s interior. Gases like methane, carbon dioxide and nitrogen are released. There is no lava spewed out, but mud in a semi-solid state when it comes out of the volcMud volcano near Baratang is a natural wonder

We returned to base, Baratang. Crossed back by the big boat, carrying vehicles inside to other side of the sea, were our bus was waiting for us.  While waiting for our bus, we passed time by playing word game.  It was fun and time passed away.

At 3pm we crossed the police barrier, and our convoy of vehicles cross the Jarawas sanctuary and reached across and returned  to our resort Meghapode, tired but enjoyed.  We had our evening out finishing the bottle, with snacks, since you are not allowed to take open alcohol bottle to Havelock island.  Enjoyed our dinner with lovely buffet meal.