ketchikan ferry Andhra Pradesh won t hit you over the head with its attractions. It doesn t brag about its temples o

Andhra Pradesh won t hit you over the head with its attractions. It doesn t brag about its temples or its colourful history. It s forgotten most of its palaces and royal architecture you ll have to purposely seek them out.

Bheemunipatnam, 25km north of Vizag, a former ketchikan ferry Dutch settlement and the oldest municipality in mainland India, is worth a visit. Here you ll find more bizarre sculptures, a lighthouse dating from 1861, an interesting Dutch cemetery and Bheemli Beach, where local grommets surf on crude homemade boards. To get here catch bus 999 ( 19), or otherwise a shared ketchikan ferry autorickshaw

Boats depart every month-ish for Port Blair in the Andaman Islands. Bookings for the 56hour journey (from 1960) can be made at the Shipping Office (%2565597, 9866073407; Av Bhanoji Row; h9am-5pm Mon-Sat) in the port complex. Bring your passport.