Trip to Pondicherry

I had planned this trip well in advance for a weekend vacation with Soma.
This was post RM 12 - in New Delhi.

Research - There is enough material you will get on the internet about Pondicherry and Auroville - before you make your travel plans. I sat for 1 day just looking for stuff what could be the best option for stays, sea food and traveling around. Of course - whenever i travel with Soma - we make sure - we avoid the touristy stuff and give more time to ourselves - chill and relax.

While i was digging for more information about the guest houses in Auroville - i got to know that guest houses were completely blocked due to the Auroville Marathon. Gosh !!!!

Well - on further research we managed to get more information of homestays,,,,

Day1- 10th Feb, 2012 (Bangalore to Pondicherry) travel

In Mahabalipuram

As it was a weekend rush, adding to it the Auroville Marathon - the bus stand at Madiwala was busy. It looked more like the Majestic bus stand. People were traveling to all destinations in South. We boarded the Indira Travels bus at Madiwala at 11 PM. Bus was neat and good seats to rest. We tried to get the Volvo bus - but was full. I didn't get enough sleep while traveling. Soma slept early while i was busy surfing around with my new Samsung Galaxy S. Listened to music,,,

While i woke up in the early hours,,,i could see the mile stone having a different language - Tamil. We were close to our destination.

Pondicherry was not far. We delayed a bit in the night,,,,reached Pondicherry by 7AM.

  




Day2- 11th Feb, 2012 (Pondicherry, Bike Trip to Mahabalipuram, Auroville) 210 Kms

My 1st thingy was to get the bike arrangements done - as it would make our travel much easier. Thanks to Gopi and his contacts (an old friend from JNU and Mountaineering Club friend) who resides in Pondy - managed to get me Felix's contact. Felix has 3 Bullets in his garage and rents his 1st floor house only for couples. Well - the rooms were decent - but we were more interested to have room facing the sea.

After a quick introduction - i got Blue Bullet Electra on rent. Thanks to Felix - this was a brand new bike - odo count was less than 30k & disc brakes. Wow - that was a good deal. Most surprising was that the owner - did not ask for any additional papers nor security money. He just told me to call at the end of the day. Wonder - this happens in other states as well.

Tanked up full and headed straight for Auroville.

Rajiv and Soma - Pondy

Pondy to Auroville is not far - reached about 9ish and started the hunt for the guest house. As i knew - accommodation was not easy et all. I tried 1st in the Auroville Ahram side but could not get any. Later, one of the locals helped to get one on the Auroville beach. Infact, there are many on the Auroville beach itself. We settled for a good deal at Babu's Cottage Inn. Our shack was facing the Bay of Bengal and had a superb view of the beach.

After a quick break, we headed out for our tour to Pondy and then to Mahabalipuram.

Pondicherry
If you are on a bike - Pondicherry is a very small town. You can easily navigate and can find your way out of Pondy. The central place at the Pondicherry Secretariat is worth a visit. The view is simply amazing. Traveling to any of the by-lanes further - you will be reminded of a French Architecture. We took a few shots and headed further to Mahabalipuram.

Pondicherry to Mahabalipuram

i always wanted to do this stretch. It reminds me of the RM we had in Chennai - when i was traveling with the Royal Beasts from Bangalore via Pondy to the venue. Wow, that was a ride i will never forget. 

The ECR highway is one of the best routes in India - one could ever think of driving. Nice sexy roads, beautiful view of the sea and some places - you will get to see the backwaters and the Bay of Bengal. In all - you have to ride on this 100 kms stretch - to catch the real action. 

After a quick brunch near the Pondicherry University - we headed for Mahabs. It was afternoon - and the day was getting hotter. As soon as we left the city, the weather was much cooler to ride. Thanks to Felix - the superb bike he had. I was doing a 90/100 - and zooming on the highway. I don't have much words to express who beautiful it was riding on this stretch. 

We stopped in between for a break and headed further for Mahabalipuram. We reached by 2:30 in the afternoon. My old friend - Prem and his wife were suppose to come from Chennai. We met them an hour later. Thanks to Prem - who helped us out for a very good lunch and a chilled bear near the Mahabalipuram beach. After a good break , we decided to head back to Pondy as it was a long ride back home. 

We left from Mahabalipuram at 5pm so that we could reach Pondy before dark. 

For about  an hour - i did a good speed to head back as i did not want to drive in the night. Traffic gets crazy in the night - as it was weekend and a Saturday night. Guess, the entire Chennai comes to Pondy for a break on the weekend. 

We reached our cottage in Auroville by 8ish. As we were tired - we did not venture out and settled for a nice dinner. The firewood Chicken pizza was yummy,,,,

Day3- 12th Feb, 2012 (Auroville, Pondicherry, ) 43 Km

This was our last day in Pondy and had to leave in the late hours to Bangalore. 

Soma wanted to do some shopping. We left Auroville by 9 and headed for the Local Sunday bazaar in Pondy. Dont miss the bazaar if you happen to be in Pondy during the weekends. Clothes are cheap and we can a good deal. We visited the Hidesign store at Nehru street. The store was fascinating and it had a gallery on the 3rd floor - where one could see photos when the store started - had old collection of bags. 

We visited a the Indian Coffee house. Me and Soma had the so called French breakfast at - Cafe Flunch- in rue de Bazar - Saint Laurent. Dont miss this place - quiet and superb place to have breakfast. 

As time was running short - we left for our last visit to Auroville. We visited the Auroville center in the afternoon. Also visited a dairy farm - not so popular. A French couple had settled in Auroville and decided to make French Cheese - they supply to a few agencies. We tasted the Cheddar Cheese - amazing taste. 

If you want to really chillax and do some meditation - Auroville is the place. Auroville is a very quiet place - we really enjoyed visiting this place. The information centre and shopping area - was worth a visit. 

In Pondicherry

We wanted to visit -the Paradise beach - as one of our blogger had suggested. We reached the venue at 4 - but unfortunately - it was closed. 

Dont miss Paradise beach if you are in Pondy and have a long vacation ahead. 

Had a quick dinner at 8ish, left the bike at Felix's house and took the bus for Bangalore.

Adios Pondicherry.

 

Overall, the trip was excellent. 

Pondicherry is a good place to visit over the weekend - espcecially for Bangaloreans. 

Try to rent a bike if you can - travel is much more easier. Dont miss the Sea food.

Useful Infomation

1. Babu Cottage Inn

    Auro Beach, Periyamudaliarchavady, Kottakuppam, Tamil Nadu

    0091 90431 06885

    Rent : Rs500 per day - shacks

2. Ajantha Beach Guest House

    No 1-A1 Bazar Saint Laurent Street, Beach Road, Puducherry 1

    www.ajanthabeachguesthouse.com

 3. Bike rental

     Felix - 0091 9894020528

     Rental - Rs 500 per day

 4.  Cafe Flunch

     24 Rue de Bazar Saint Laurent, Pondicherry