The Islands Of Adventure
Outlook Money|May 2017

Present day Andamans offers scenic beauty as well as a peek into its chequered past. This is one trip that leaves you wanting more. M Venkatesh.

M Venkatesh.
The Islands Of Adventure

The evening of November 8, 2016 was probably the worst time to land in an unknown place with unusable cash on your hands. My friends and I were sitting in a bayside restaurant at the Fortune Resort Bay Island in Port Blair, sipping a drink, when the first lot of WhatsApp and text messages gate crashed the party. “What nonsense!” was the first thought as the news of the demonetisation came in. It was only when the midnight gong struck that the magnitude of the crisis hit us. In the morning, it was disconcerting to discover that the money you had could not buy you anything.

Despite accommodation at the Resort (the Andamans has many resorts dotting its main islands), we had booked ourselves into the GO’s Mess, Police Headquarters, thanks to our friends. The transit house for police officers is perched on a hill overlooking the serene Andaman Sea on three sides.

Starting point

I notice that I have jumped far ahead. The journey from Kolkata (flights from and to Delhi stop over in Kolkata) was unusually enlightening with a pilot in the neighbouring seat. He explained quite a few aspects about flying to the Andamans. That the plane had to carry extra fuel just in case there was a need to go around and fly back in case of any emergency. Bad weather over the Andamans is certainly an emergency.

It is extremely difficult to land at the Veer Savarkar International Airport in inclement weather because the runway is unidirectional—planes land and take off in the same direction, whatever be the wind conditions.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM OUTLOOK MONEYView all
Gold ETFs And FoFs
Outlook Money

Gold ETFs And FoFs

While Indians love to invest in physical gold, even mutual funds offer the option, but in paper format.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
PLANNING TO BUY CHILD INSURANCE? THINK TWICE
Outlook Money

PLANNING TO BUY CHILD INSURANCE? THINK TWICE

Child insurance plans combine insurance and investment but often offer low returns due to high costs, making a combination of a term insurance cover and mutual fund a better option for securing your child’s higher education needs

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2024
How Do You Define Happiness?
Outlook Money

How Do You Define Happiness?

Money does buy happiness, but after a while, the appeal fades. We talk about our relationship with money, but, maybe, it’s time to revisit our relationship with happiness

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2024
Avoid Crypto As It Is Highly Volatile
Outlook Money

Avoid Crypto As It Is Highly Volatile

I am 22 years old and have recently started working. I want to invest a small portion of money in cryptocurrency. How should I go about it? Does it require a huge capital investment?

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Invest Right, Don't Speculate
Outlook Money

Invest Right, Don't Speculate

The lure of high returns and quick gains from equity tips, cryptocurencies, and equity F&O can be enticing. But remember, return of capital is more important than return on capital

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
The Wedding & Budget: Is Minimalist Trend The Right Knot For You?
Outlook Money

The Wedding & Budget: Is Minimalist Trend The Right Knot For You?

Indian weddings are known for their pomp and grandeur, but minimalist weddings are also in vogue now. Dia Mirza was one such celebrity who went for a minimalist wedding. If you also want to keep things minimal on your big day, here’s how to do it

time-read
9 mins  |
November 2024
Here's How To Buy An ETF?
Outlook Money

Here's How To Buy An ETF?

Mutual funds are the preferred choice for retail investors. However, they come at a cost and fund management risk, apart from other risks. A smarter alternative is to invest through ETFs.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
How Passive Funds Help Diversify
Outlook Money

How Passive Funds Help Diversify

Passive funds provide a simple way to invest in broad markets as well as in specific themes and sectors, making them ideal for an investor's satellite portfolio

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
The Rise Of Passive Funds
Outlook Money

The Rise Of Passive Funds

The popularity of passive funds among retail investors has risen post Covid, and fund houses are out with many variations of ETFs and index funds. Does this category present a new opportunity for investors?

time-read
10 mins  |
November 2024
Tax Reforms: What's In Store?
Outlook Money

Tax Reforms: What's In Store?

The government is working on reforming the existing Income-tax Act, 1961. The impending reforms have raised many questions in the minds of taxpayers. Will the old regime and deductions be done away with? Will it really simplify your life? What's the need for these reforms? We try to answer these and other questions regarding tax reforms

time-read
10+ mins  |
October 2024