Islands of the Marigold Sun

A deceptively simple travel book, in which the author visits the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It was, at the time of his journey, rare for visitors to these island chains in the Bay of Bengal, much closer to Burma (Myanmar), Thailand and Indonesia than India. Even more rare was a visitor who was not a government official of some kind.

Vaidya however, was a tourist, travelling there because he was interested and was to write an account of his journey. He spent around 3 months on the islands, likely in the late 1950s (this book was published in 1960).

He explains in the book that as a child he heard of a man convicted of murder sent to the penal colony of the Andamans - it being a terrible place he was unlikely to return from. This started his interest in the area, and it peaked again when the Japanese occupied the islands in the second world war. With some intent to visit he investigated transport options, and confounded the New Delhi travel agents who could find no public transport. He set about to find people who could assist and ended up visiting the Home Ministry to ask for their assistance. Despite the minister never having visited the islands, and knowing little about them, he could organise a berth on the government steamer who serves the islands. A few telegrams and an overnight train to Madras and he on his way (well, when he accounts for some minor last minute dramas).

Throughout his time on the islands he is ably assisted by all parties, but the officials on the islands and the police. They assist him with introductions, transport and accommodation. They take him with them on their various travels, and explain the intricacies of island life.

Throughout his stay, Vaidya takes every opportunity to visit places or people, and really makes the most of each. He covers a surprising amount of ground, and writes well about this experiences. While he writes in a very low key manner, he balances detail and points of interest with observations of people and activities. The beautiful setting for much of his travels must help, but he is also generally positive in his views and even while confounded by attitudes or traditions that make no sense. Particularly interesting was its transformation from penal colony to free lands - and the fact most of the former inmates became citizens, and that there was no stigma to this.

At a little less than 200 pages this is an enjoyable, short read. The maps provided are good, although they don't plot his route / routes; all that is missing are photographs. (This may not the case in the original publication, as they are often omitted from the Travel Book Club editions).

4.5 stars, rounded up.