From 30,000 feet above, the Bay of Bengal is a blue canvas stretching towards the silvery blur of eternity. As the plane begins its descent towards Port Blair's Veer Savarkar Airport, emerald islands ringed with golden beaches explode on the waters, the illusion of movement created by the speed of the plane. Soon, a mountainous land mass appears.

Almost peninsular, its flanks are edged with the white of surf breaking upon the shore. Where the island curves to create a natural bay, there appears the historic port with a convoy of supplier ships waiting to be berthed and close by, are the docks of the Indian Navy, with its fleet of battle-ready frigates. The airport terminal is bustling with scores of tourists from Europe, the UK and USA, arriving in droves, for the Andamans are the new hotspot for travellers, tired of the crowded beaches of Goa, Gokarna and South East Asia.

Popularly known as the "Emerald Islands", the 572 islands of the Andaman & Nicobar archipelago lie east of the Indian mainland and stretch like a bead necklace for nearly 800 km in the Indian Ocean. Once a hill range extending from Myanmar to Indonesia, the islands were bypassed by shipping lines for centuries despite their strategic position, until the British discovered their potential. These islands offered a safe port, an unending supply of quality timber and, most of all, they were a long way from the mainland and just the right place to jail Indian freedom fighters.

Today, the capital of the emerald islands is a veritable mini-India. Apart from indigenous tribes, it .is home to Keralites in government offices and Telugu-speaking fishermen. One comes across many a shop named "Benares General Stores" and "Bengal Woodworks." People of various religions and denominations have built their lives here, as is evident from the masjids, temples, churches and a gurudwara. "We take pride in the pluralistic character of the city," says a local guide.

A winding road to a hotel designed by Charles Correa, a property that overlooks a blue opal lagoon. Giant trees festooned with vines grow on the hilly slopes of the property, with raucous birds creating a merry din. HEALTH TOURISM With its serene environment, Andamans can be positioned as a destination for health tourism. For starters, ayurvedic treatments and massages are already on offer at major hotels and resorts in Andamans.

The islands are also an ideal destination for those looking for a change in climate or for a rejuvenating experience. The islands' administration is of the firm opinion that Andamans can be promoted for setting up meditation centres and yoga ashrams.