There is always a wrong notion that people with special needs are to remain in safe hands and be less exposed to the outer world. This situation is changing as the new perspectives and thought the process of people have been evolving in a better way. And the accepting mentality is of a lot more help to those striving hard to lead a normal life. I got a chance to accompany one such couple who had joined their hands together and decided to be on a honeymoon journey. They took their way to Andaman and Nicobar Islands on a package and I accompanied them on their journey. Mr Kuldeep and his wife Mrs Shilpa hence decided to break the box and take their chance of exploring life together all the way from Mumbai.

The major places couples look out for when at the Andaman Islands are its beaches. Various beaches constitute the major Islands of Havelock and Neil Island where the tourists flow for exploring the underwater marine life. This was indeed the biggest challenge that was in front of them and to make it come true was their ultimate plan. But before that, as they landed at the Veer Savarkar International Airport I received them and decided to be a helping hand throughout their journey at the Isles. A clear idea regarding the destinations of the visit had been provided to us by the tour planners, Andaman tour travel and all the arrangements had been made. We rode to the hotel where we unloaded the luggage. They insisted that they did not want to rest as the eagerness to explore was more. Mr Kuldeep had a problem where one of his hand was completely paralysed and Mrs Shilpa had problems with one of her limbs. We had a wheelchair facility for her. The initial plan was to explore three destinations at the Ross Island. While we had been driving, we got into conversations where they had a clear idea of what they wanted for a fairy honeymoon and how their life at Mumbai had been treating them. I secretly took note of everything even though we had only been having fun conversations. And then we reached the Cellular Jail. Both of them were ardent fans of history and had been picking all the details regarding the significance of Cellular Jail. I walked them through everything where they took each detail into their feed. In fact, they seemed different in the fact that they were talkative. Most of the travellers especially on their honeymoon often like each others company and avoid talking to the guide. But here, they preferred every one’s company and that was indeed a very kind gesture. And then we went to the Samudrika Marine Museum as they were keen to know what constituted Andaman and there was no better place to drop them at that the Museum.

When we reached by the night, I led them to the hotel room. I had informed them that we would be having dinner together and they said me that after they freshen up, they would give me a call. I went down to the restaurant and set up the nicest table with the beach view for them. Everything from roses to aromatic candles was set up and left reserved for my guests. They informed me and went to the room and led them to the restaurant and then to their table. This was indeed a surprise for them as little did they know that the fun conversations we had in the morning would work out this soon. They ordered their favourite food and talked over the table for hours. They even showed the kind gesture of inviting me but the couple definitely had to have their own time over a romantic dinner when on a honeymoon. I also wanted the dinner to be better than the candlelight dinner they had been gifted with at Mumbai due to which I also got them an instrumental treat with violin and guitar. And they definitely didn’t forget to say the fact out to me that it was indeed the best so far.

The night went by and the next day morning, we set off to the Neil Island. It was the day they had been looking forward to where the marine life and coral reefs could be viewed. We reached the Island through a government ferry where they had their stories regarding the adventures they had done at several places. Even though a slight concern regarding Mrs Shilpa going under water, both of them were quite confident as they knew how to swim. In fact. she had a specialised way of swimming with which she was an expert. Also, when they planned the tour, they would have definitely thought about the package. have had thoughts reg I always have a trembling foot every time I go on an underwater dive as it is an unusual activity. They had also done several activities like banana boat rides when at Mumbai. This sort of told me that everything was going to turn out to be the best. We reached the Laxmanpur beach which is again a famous stop at Andaman where the instructors had been ready with the suits. They decided to give it their best where they dived into the waters. Some adjustments had been done to Mrs Shilpa’s limbs where she could be easy with both her legs. 20 minutes seemed to be like hours to me. But when they turned, they said that 20 minutes was not really enough. The wonderment that had been in their eyes was the pleasure I had in my mind. We returned back to the Island as they did not want to miss the flight that had been booked back to Mumbai.

The journey had been the best so far where I got to accompany two very enthusiastic human beings who had the zest to keep travelling throughout their life. To be a host of two young minds with this sort of energy was indeed a great pleasure for a person like me residing in Andaman. The journey had turned out to be one where a lot of fun and information at the same time was pooled and all of us got to be a part of what one may call a journey of this lifetime. In short, this is what a traveller must feed in his mind when on a journey. When the energy of the tourists are passed on to us, we feel more privileged to assist all those joining me and our team. I am sure the trip had been a blissful one for them and also look forward to being the one to provide with a lot of journeys through the Isles of Andaman.