RAHUL SINGH
A breeze of happiness and hope of new opportunities have come to locals of Campbell Bay, as the first foreign tourist Mr. Jeroen Agneesens, a European national from Belgium, has arrived in Great Nicobar, after removal of RAP.
Although many foreigners had visited Great Nicobar before and after tsunami for research, relief and rehab work. There is no clear report if any foreigner ever visited Great Nicobar as tourist.
Mr. Jeroen Agneesens, is a solo traveler and the member of a well Known Travel club “Nomad Mania’’, who likes to travel all across the Globe, learning different cultures and for adventure to some exotic places, where he gets an opportunity to see real nature,
Andaman Sheekha correspondent Rahul Singh, spoke exclusively with Mr. Jeroen Agneesens, who shared his experiences, the motivation behind traveling to the southernmost frontier of India, the Great Nicobar.
Q: First Question, Why Great Nicobar?
A: While I was travelling across India, I was willing to visit some exotic places like where I get to see real India, by that time I came across an article in Times of India stating that, the RAP is removed from some Islands of Andaman and Nicobar islands, as I know that Indira Point is the southernmost point of India, and I can get an access to it, then who will lose such an wonderful opportunity.
Q: Being a Foreign national did you face any difficulty while traveling to Great Nicobar?
A: Not exactly, the only difficulty I faced, was while buying my ship ticket, the officials issuing tickets were not aware of Foreign National have permission to visit Great Nicobar, it took one hour for me to get ticket but the authorities over there were too friendly and polite.
Q: Where you are staying in Campbell Bay?
A: I stay at Pachayat guest house. It’s very easily available as it suits to every one’s pocket. Food is also wonderful here. I had my meal last night in guest house, which was just Rs.50 it’s a lot more less expensive compare to other places.
Q: Have you visited Indira Point?
A: No, I have been to places like the magnificent Becowry Beach with white sand, Chota Jetty and couple of places, but not the Indira Point as they have some security reasons as some ministers are about to visit here, said by forest officials.
Q: Would you like to visit Great Nicobar again?
A: Yes definitely, this place is such a beautiful place, with lovely beaches and amazing people, who are very helpful cooperative. All are very very friendly. As it is the first time local Administration is dealing with a foreign tourist in Great Nicobar, it’s a learning process for everyone, once it get usual, foreign tourists will allowed to see more places and surely I will come once again to Campbell Bay.
Q: Any message you want to give other Foreign Tourists?
A: You got to be bit adventurer to visit the Island, you get to see amazing sites while traveling in ship and wonderful beaches with white sand. You won’t be getting five star hotels here but you will find people with bigger heart than anywhere else, please do visit Great Nicobar.
