On the wrong side of 50 : Andamans, A Journey of beauty and Realisation
There are moments in life when you suddenly pause and wonder where the years went. I recently experienced one such moment when I was finally able to travel to the enchanting Andamans, a destination that had lived quietly on my wish list for years.
Mysterious, beautiful and surrounded by endless shades of blue, also known as Kaalaa Paani , the Andamans had always fascinated me. Yet, like many dreams, my visit there kept getting postponed , first because of work, then because of responsibilities and sometimes simply because life got busy.
This time, I finally made the journey with my son, using the Leave Travel Concession that government servants are entitled to, once every two years. Ironically, though the opportunity was always there, I had rarely used it. There was always something more “urgent” , files to clear, commitments to meet, family matters to attend to.
And before I knew it, decades had flown by.
Standing on those pristine beaches, watching the waves roll endlessly to the shore, I felt something shift within me. A realisation, that time, once gone, never returns. We often assume there will always be another tomorrow to travel, to rest, to enjoy, to simply live.
But life does not always wait.
Reaching fifty in your life is a milestone which adds to your wisdom. It brings a realisation that life is not only about responsibilities and achievements but also about experiences, relationships and memories nourishing your soul.
So the travel to Andamans with my son was not just a holiday. It was an opportunity to spend time together and also a reminder that life must be lived in the present moment. The laughter shared, the quiet walks by the sea, the feeling of wonder while watching nature’s beauty and sunsets are the things that will truly stay with us.
Yes, stepping into the Andamans was like stepping into many worlds at once , history, adventure, geography, nature and serenity all rolled into one.
Our visit to the historic Cellular Jail made us re-experirnce patriotism. Walking through its silent corridors, we bowed our heads to the immense sacrifices made by the freedom fighters. We could sense the patriotic zeal of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and Sachindranath Sanyal . The sound and light show at night was a powerful reminder of the price paid for India’s freedom.
Nearby, the ruins of Ross Island narrated another chapter of history , the colourful lives of the British who once inhabited these islands. Ironically, today, the place is in ruins and engulfed by ficus trees, making it look haunted but also telling us about the lifestyle of the British and their families.
The true star of the Andamans is nature with its green hills, blue-green seas and clear skies.
The peaceful Neil island is home to the stunning natural coral arch known as the Coral Bridge which has beautiful living corals as well as cute sea animals. The scuba diving there was full of adventure and wonder. Neil island’s beaches are quiet, pristine and deeply calming.
On the other hand, Havelock Island has some of the most famous beaches in India. Radhanagar Beach with it's white sand is among the best beaches in the world. The Kala Patthar Beach with waves lashing against it's black rocks was mesmerising. Adventure seekers go to the Elephanta Beach for water sports like sea walking, snorkelling and scuba diving which was enjoyed by us too.
But the Andamans offers much more beyond beaches. We explored Baratang Island, which has fascinating limestone caves filled with intricate stalactite and stalagmite formations. These are living lessons in geology reflecting thousands of years. The island also has the unusual mud volcanoe, a rare natural phenomenon igniting geological curiosity.
Another unforgettable experience was the trip to Parrot Island. We had gone there hoping to watch thousands of parrots and parakeets returning to the mangroves at sunset. But that evening the parrots chose to stay away but the experience was magical nonetheless. Sitting in the quiet boat, watching the sun melt into the endless , listening to the gentle lapping of waves against the boat was a moment of pure serenity.
The Andaman Islands truly offer a rare combination of hills, forests and beaches something few destinations can claim.
And yet, the journey also brought a small realisation. Many of the adventure activities here require good physical fitness and have an age barrier of fifty. I had to procure a medical certificate to undertake activities like scuba diving and sea walk etc. That made me realise how important it is to travel and experience such adventures while one is still comfortably on the right side of fifty.
Perhaps , that is why the message of the Bollywood film "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara" resonates so deeply.
Life is not meant to be endlessly postponed. Being on the wrong side of fifty is not about slowing down. It is about choosing wisely how we spend the time we have. It is not only about planning work with dedication, but also planning holidays, journeys and moments of joy.
Because life is not a rehearsal.
So if there is a place you have always wanted to visit, a friend you have been meaning to meet, or a dream you have been postponing , do not wait endlessly for the perfect time.
Time has a way of slipping through our fingers.
Plan your work but also plan your holidays.
Live fully.
After all, You live only once and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara....
R.Vimala, IAS,
Resident Commissioner & Secretary,
Government of Maharashtra &
PhD Scholar at IIT Bombay
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