Paradise beach
Describing it in a word: splendid! Clean beach and less people(there are bathrooms in case you decide to soak in the atmosphere by soaking-in
yourself in the water!).
How I got there: Located 8 kms from the town, along the
Cuddalore Main Road, this beach can be accessed only by boat. Took an auto to
the boat house and returned by bus which stops just opposite to the boat house.
The boat takes you through back waters to reach the beach which was a unique experience!
There is a shack where they serve food as well. We spent
some time on the beach and then settled down under a coconut tree. One can
easily spend around 2 hours on this beach!
Auroville
“belonging to nobody in particular, but to humanity as a
whole” is what I would say describes this place! A one-of-its-kind place where
you can find true serenity.
What to do: If you go there a day before, you can collect
the free pass to enter into the matrimandir, an inner sanctum of peace with
amazing architecture, if not, you can collect a free pass to the matrimandir
view point on any day and view it from outside on the same day. Matrimandir is
at a walking distance of around 2 kms, so do go prepared to walk! While getting
back some blessed soul had thought to provide free shuttle back to the entrance
which we thoroughly appreciated!
There is a great café with good food, do check it out!
Beach road or the Promenade
This 1.5 kms stretch of road running along the beach is the
pride of Pondicherry. It gets better! This road is vehicle-free from 6pm to 7:30am.
An absolute delight to while away time in the evening and to enjoy the sunset.
Sri Aurobindo Ashram
It houses the Samadhi
of Sri Aurobindo Ghose and Mirra Alfassa also known as the
Mother. It is situated near the beach road. It has a great atmosphere for
meditation. One cannot miss but appreciate the French architecture in and
around this area!
Manakula Vinayagar
Koil
Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, this temple which is more than
300 years old houses 40 different portrayals of Lord Ganesha.
Travel Tip: You can visit the Ashram, Vinayaka temple, go shopping near the ashram
and Nehru street, and visit the beach road all at one go (if you have the
enthusiasm and the energy!) since they all are situated roughly in the same
area.
Places to eat
Great pizza at Le Club, great French food
(love the lasagna and the milkshakes) at Le Café, superb south Indian lunch at
Surguru (located near the Vinayaka temple) and breakfast again at Le Café (if
you are feeling French) or there is also Adyar Ananda Bhavan (located in the same road as Surguru).
My Love: Le Café: French food by the sea!
All these places-to-eat are in close proximity to the beach
road (since I stayed there), which gets me to the review of the hotel I stayed at!
Ajantha Beach Guest House
Excellent location, average service
but courteous staff. Take the sea facing room to enjoy the view of the beach!
And for all the leather enthusiastic people, this is where the
Hidesign manufacturing unit exists! There is a Hidesign store and a factory
outlet at Nehru Street. Check out the good deals at the factory outlet that is
about 4 shops ahead of the Hidesign store (when the store is on your left).
Suggestions
Book your stay on the beach road, visit
paradise beach to frolic in the ocean, spend countless evenings (or atleast all
the evenings available on the beach road and definitely eat at Le Café-Pondicherry
at its French best!!
Travelling to Pondi: Via bus, there are busses easily
available from Bangalore.
Travelling in Pondi: Rent a bike, autos will take you
everywhere and are tourist friendly (but you need to bargain on the price),
local buses are extremely budget friendly.
Adieu Pondi...till we meet again :-)
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