Pondicherry Diary

Last weekend went to Pondicherry. Many of you must have visited, but this is for those who are yet to visit. Pondicherry is one such place which if you know before hand will have lots to offer as a good holiday destination. I always had mixed reaction from people visiting Pondi. some says it’s good some bad. I believe if you know how to enjoy in Pondicherry then you will enjoy.

Went with soem friends of mine on a KPN travel bus, beware KPN buses are not well maintained and you may have to travel with the bugs. I was awake in the cabin for more than 3 hours. Pondicherry is approximately 350 Kms and less from Bangalore. We had our rooms booked at Hotel Jayaram. Rates are reasonable ranging from 600 (for non-ac) to 800 (for AC) for 2 people.

Pondicherry has got two township, one which is called the French (or white ) town and the other Tamil town. These 2 quarters or towns are divided by a canal. Tamil side is ofcourse like any other cities and would not be much exciting copared to the French side. The french township is small and still well preserved, with narrow and clean roads. The buildings are still French style and would give an impression of colonial French. The best way to move around the township is by bi-cycle. For cycles go straight to Mission street, I spent 1 hour looking for cycles for rent and no Indian resident could tell me where I can get one, surprisingly one beautifully saree clad French lady was able to tell me where I can get cycles. Cycles can be rented for 50/- a day but you have to deposit your gov. ID card like PAN etc or pay 500 bucks as advance. For Bikes you need to pay 500 advance + cards and rent is 125 per day, with petrol on your cost. I think this should be the cheapest proposition than hiring cabs or auto whcih is pretty expensive.

The beach side is rocky, so if you want to swim in the sea you got to go 7-8 Kms from the city where you will see a long coastline and hell lot of beach -resorts. On our first day sight seeing we covered couple of churches with one of bieng a really old french church. Ipresume these were Roman Catholic churches. Ok I did not introduce my friends; I went with Ansa my collegue who further were accompanied by her PG mates: Lakshmi, Rajee and Shainy with Shainy being accompanied by –> Suciela, Ranjani and Sushil. So most of us did not know each other, but fortunately we were friends in the first day itself…and I think thats more importrant bieng comfortable with each other when you are touring for only 2 days.

Other than churches we visited Meseum and Auroville meditation centre. Finally to the beach where I swam for almost 2 hours, with the girls standing at the shore and happy enuff to wet their toes only. Sushil was brave enuff to atleast get his waist wet. After we came back we looked for night clubs which unfortunately as per the Jayaram reception was banned in Pondicherry. Still we managed to visit one, but I wont divulge further info regarding that, you need to find it urself.

WE all had a nice dinner with me ending up with a beer at a must try restaurent Anandha Inn.
Next morning we visited Aurobindo Ashram and a cycle ride throught he French town. We tried couple of French dishes. Cycle ride being one of the best thing I did in Pondicherry, it was a great feeling cycling down the streets of a town which once used to be a French colony.

We signed off on Sunday night bus back to Bangalore…….I must recommend must see for people who like ancient structures, learn about history etc….for beer bugs …stay at beach site resorts away from the city.