This vacation we decided to drive down to Puducherry (Pondicherry) on Christmas Eve, which was a rather impulsive decision. Best thing being that it came from hubby dear who hates driving. So we quickly packed a few clothes, lots of snacks, and some good music and off we were to Pondi. Since we started very early in the morning, we beat the Bangalore traffic effectively and post Hosur to Krishnagiri, it was an awesome drive. I was all envious of hubby who was enjoying it all and refusing to pass on the wheel. We stopped in between for some nice dosas for breakfast at Adyar Anand Bhavan. The fun kind of ended there because as soon as you go beyond Krishnagiri, the potholes seem to get bigger and deeper – wonder about govts. not investing in basic infrastructure. Anyway, after hours and hours of driving we finally reached outskirts of Pondi – while we were looking at some scenic beauty, it was all very dusty and crowded. It was only when we finally entered Pondi that we were welcomed by this nice little Union Territory – the only UT I have been to so far after Delhi was declared a state. Day 1 was spent with the visit to the famous rocky beach and Aurobindo Ashram while Day 2 was spent at the lovely Auroville. The road leading up to the visitor center in Auroville is charming, unwinding and a little mysterious. For shoppers, they have some lovely boutiques. I spent just about 45 mins at that boutique but that was enough for my hubby – he complained as to how I didn’t care for the hungry kid and him and selfishly went shopping…these men I tell you.
After our short and sweet sight seeing at Pondi, we drove down again – this time from Pondi to Mammalapuram (Mahabalipuram). What a road (ECR) along side the beach!! It was by far one the best roads we have driven on (think next to the Delhi-Jaipur one). It was afternoon of Day 2 we reached Mahabs, we spent sometime on the seashore temple of the Pandavas well preserved by the Archaelogical Survey of India and then straight onto the beach. By this time, S was all bored with traveling and was whining for everything – who said holidaying with kids was easy. So we quickly headed back to Pondi and made him chill at the hotel for sometime, which by the way is his favorite place while holidaying.
One of things that
we thoroughly enjoyed (was obviously the all white French colony and everything “Le” and “La”) were the restaurants some of which had this European/French feel. Rendezvous on Rue Suffren was one of them – nice open terrace facing a typical French house. I bought a nice cuban cigar for hubby from here.
The other one is the beach-facing, roof-top restaurant of The Promenade – hotel by HiDesign. Lovely ambience…and guess what we had Santa Claus walk in with a red satin goody bag for S - what more could we ask for on a Christmas Eve. We packed the traditional plum cake from a wonderful bakery in the city –Baker’s Street which we just chanced upon while we were driving – for us and friends and drove back all pleased spending Christmas in the all-white city!!
1 comment:
Well captured. I think there needs to be a mention of the friendly guides we encountered on the way who were extremely helpful in giving directions. Also the 30 km strech on interiors of TN where we lost of our way was hilarious in afterthought.
Pondy is good but has lost its charm since I visited in '98. It has become another city with malls and infrastructure. Maybe these are the perils of development. But we had a blast and we are willing to travel again when S becomes a little more sporty
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