By Shobha Rao Smilemaker

Jan 6: On the second day of our Lakshadweep Islands cruise we visited the second largest island called Minicoy. In school we had always learnt of the Laccadives and Minicoy as one of the Union territories in the Arabian Sea and I was very excited to visit it with my gang of 14 girlfriends!

It was time to wear my happy yellow beach dress (one indulgence from Ritu Beri for such times). We got out from our cruise ship in the deep sea on to a small boat clutching my funky green hat and shiny green beach bag which the strong sea wind threatened to blow away under the early morning sun.

Minicoy is about 10.6 Kms. long: It is the southernmost island in Lakshadweep, crescent shaped and has one of the largest lagoons. Viringili is the small islet that can be seen on the south.

Minicoy is set apart from the northern group of islands by its culture. Our first visit was to the Light House of the island which is one of the oldest and was constructed in 1885. Since they send only limited groups up at a time, we spent a lot of time on the gardens playing on swings and obviously clicking our selfies.

Even the spiral steps above were punctuated with picturesque views of the island and the vast expanse of sea around it.

And finally after a lot of risky climbing on a narrow ladder we reached the open air view circular platform at the top of the lighthouse. The view was absolutely worth all the waiting and the effort.

I spent moments in solitude, just me and nature, feeling literally on top the world. Soon I was joined with my happy bunch of noisy friends (yes the contrast was stark) along with a very enthusiastic local boy, who gave us an idea of their local life.. Yes most of the youth yearn to get jobs on ships to see more of the world as compared to the life in their island with water all around them!

We then drove again in our open jeep feeling like carefree school kids out in the open. A welcome drink at a posh resort was waiting for us.

Canoes a plenty were nearby and just kept calling me. Soon armed with extra sun screen and an oar, I was in one of them for a solo ride in the true blue waters. After the free snorkelling teaser on the previous day in shallow waters, I felt adventurous enough to try out a paid snorkelling experience in the really deep waters. Again I tried my best to motivate my friends to try out these new adventure sports, especially those who were doing it for the first time.

We found ourselves in a boat to take us to the deep sea jetty, listening to the encouraging safety instructions from the guide and before I knew what was happening, I just dived into the deep sea, holding on to the hand of my snorkelling instructor for dear life. After the previous days experience, I had learnt well the art of breathing with my mouth through the snorkel, and fully concentrated on the amazing coral reef treasures around me. These were the biggest coral reefs I had ever touched... (10 years ago, I was a terrified first time snorkeller in Australia and had stayed on the surface in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and had preferred to watch the great barrier reef only through the submarine glass window!). Before I realized it, my snorkelling underwater tour of unbelievably beautiful Marine life was finished and I couldn't believe myself when I asked the instructor for a repeat round of the snorkelling tour starting from the opposite direction!

The beaches have bathing huts and change rooms. So after a bit of swimming and beach walk, Pedal boating, Kayaking and Snorkelling, I felt tired with sand all over me. By the time we showered and changed in the public washrooms, I was famished and did full justice to the sumptuous buffet lunch organised at the resort, along with peppy music and a crab in a shell walking all around on our table!

It was time to visit the villages. Again we went for a long drive through dense coconut groves and winding village roads. We enjoyed our evening tea at the biggest home in the community, served by the local women in their traditional headscarves.

The guide enlightened us on the village customs and practices. The married women go back to staying with their parents when their husbands are out at sea, as a safety measure. We saw their kitchens and fishing equipments, and some of the ancient homes made from local dead corals, standing proudly next to the usual modern homes. We walked through quaint narrow byelanes that reverberated with happy children's voices ogling at our crazy cruise ship tourists.. They seemed so connected to nature unlike us city breds!

A small tuna fish packaging unit deserved only a quick glance through the main door as my vegetarian nose ran away from that strong smell.

I loved the local artwork on some of the village homes. The highlight of the village visit was to see their long beautiful racing boat with more than 50 pairs of oars on either side.. all indigeneously made by the happy islanders. Yes most of them seemed happy and contented in their Minicoy village!

As I indulged in some self introspection on the boat ride back to the ship, I was thankful that tourists were not permitted to stay overnight on these Minicoy islands... Just like the islands please let these local people also remain pristine and unspoilt in these ever-changing times for as long as possible.

After a great dinner on the ship, our group of 14 fun loving girl friends decided to wear the common white T shirt that was presented to us in the beginning of this cruise. We played some fun games and were even joined by new friends for our housie on our almost private ship deck corner.

As our ship set sail at night for the next island, I smiled and thanked my childhood geography teachers for telling me about these islands of Minicoy in the Laccadives as it was than called, that I finally got to visit as an adult!

Shobha Rao Smilemaker has a vision of living in a world where people use their ability to find and make smiles in any situation. She is a lawyer by qualification, a soft skills trainer by passion, a motivational speaker, a freelance journalist, a bestselling author, an avid traveler and founder of 'Smilemakers Trainings'. She can be contacted at www.shobhasmilemaker.com.