At the beginning of the year, I decided to give myself some time to explore the world before turning 21. I wanted to enjoy these years before starting my new semester. My goal was to discover myself by leaving my comfort zone, experiencing different lifestyles, meeting new people, having fun, making lasting memories and stories, and seeing the world.

Having a love-hate relationship with the ocean inspired me to visit different islands around the country. It motivated me to confront my fears and embrace the experiences I had always dreamed of.

I planned my whole trip with the help of my friends during spring (March to April). It was a month-long trip with ten island destinations. The trip started at Saint Mary’s Island on the western coast of India. It was a recommendation from a friend and it was totally worth it. Surrounded by the majestic views of the Arabian Sea, I fell in love with the beautiful landscapes during the entire boat trip. The evening was followed by a breathtaking sunset and fresh seafood from the locals.

The next destination was Divar Island on the coast of Goa. The island provides the perfect chance to swim in its calm waters and witness diverse marine life. The whole atmosphere was very relaxed, making it an ideal spot for sunbathing. The most exciting part was snorkeling. With the help of local tour operators, I got a chance to see the coral reef, which felt like discovering a new world.

Next was the famous artificial island of Kerala, Willingdon Island. This was a completely different experience from the previous places. It was a perfect blend of traditional features with modern technology. The first places I visited were the Kerala Folklore Museum and Fort Kochi, known for its Portuguese and colonial architecture that represents diverse cultural history.

In stark contrast, Munroe Island in the backwaters of Kerala offered a glimpse into traditional life. Surrounded by wildlife, I experienced authentic rural life, which was completely different from anything I had ever seen. It was simple and peaceful. From trying local fishing techniques to spending the night in a small yet cozy houseboat—a childhood dream of mine—this island was my personal favorite.

My next destination was Bhavani Island, a small island located on the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh. My day started with a visit to the local amusement park, followed by lunch at a park. The highlight was jet skiing. Despite feeling nervous, watching others gave me the courage to overcome my fear. This was followed by boating, and I felt the wind rushing past me, which filled me with excitement.

Lastly, I visited the famous Andaman and Nicobar Islands, consisting of over five hundred islands spread across the Bay of Bengal Here is the corrected version:

It was quite confusing to narrow down the places, but after the trip, I was very happy with my selections. My trip started in Port Blair. The first island I visited was Havelock Island. As described by my tour guide, it was the busiest yet charming place. It was peaceful, and I decided to trek to Elephant Beach on the southern part of the island. After crossing the forest, I reached there. Despite its name, the place doesn’t have much connection with elephants. Instead, it was full of fun water activities, and the day ended with watching the sunset from the beach.

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Next was Neil Island, which was quite close to Havelock. I took a ferry to reach there. What fascinated me the most was the helpful and caring locals; they were nice and welcoming. I spent the whole day visiting and exploring the beaches. The environment was warm and relaxing, which made my heart melt and helped me register every memory in my mind.

The next day, I flew back to Port Blair and spent the day on Little Andaman Island. Although it was one of the busiest and most crowded islands I visited, I still had a chance to try surfing on the waves at Butler Bay. The waves were smooth yet exciting. The evening ended with a lot of exhaustion and a beautiful picture of the local waterfall etched in my mind.

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Following that day, I took a car ride to my next destination, Car Nicobar. Visiting this island may require special permission from the authorities to respect the local indigenous groups and their way of life. The island was surrounded by beautiful beaches, and I decided to spend the whole day at Malacca Beach. I also explored the coconut and mangrove forests on the island. It was not crowded and was well-maintained by the government. The water was clean and sparkling.

And so, I finally arrived at my last destination, Great Nicobar Island, the southernmost island in the Nicobar chain. This island is covered in dense tropical rainforests and has a low population, making it a great home for many different kinds of wildlife. The sky was filled with colorful and unique birds. I spent a whole week exploring the island and trying out various fun activities. This time allowed me to enjoy the island’s natural beauty and discover its rich plant and animal life.