After a two-and-a-half-hour journey, our boat reached the port at Havelock, and we immediately enjoyed the atmosphere. Newly-wed couples on honeymoon carrying much too heavy luggage, entire Bengali families speaking their sweet language that sounds like bird songs, businessmen wearing a white cloth wrapped around their hips and a crisp white short-sleeved shirt. While the jeep was driving through the narrow lane winding through the island, Lisa and I looked at each other, smiling in anticipation. All around us, lovely countryside, huge trees, a few farmers stuck in bucolic times; no cars, no noise. The sheer simplicity of our hut made us happy. We dressed lightly and walked out, immediately longing to see the most beautiful beach in Asia, according to the Times magazine.

It was sunset when we laid eyes on Radhanagar beach. We just stood unable to utter a word, spellbound by the pristine scenery. We walked silently on the fine sand and felt our breath slow down. The days that followed were just perfect. We swam, we drove around the island on a small motorcycle, we met a kind population, we snorkelled, and we learned diving. Wherever we were, on land or in the sea, the beauty that surrounded us made us believe we were in paradise. Thank God that paradise is not so near; otherwise, it would be at risk of becoming crowded.”