Capital of the then French East India Company, stills has the trailing odor of the France in its avenue. Pondicherry, a union territory of southern India has many things to offer be it serene beaches, late night cafes, calmness of Auroville, palatable french and Indo-French cuisines.
Hyderabad to Pondicherry
How to reach Pondicherry?
Flight from RGIA(HYD) to Puducherry Airport(PYN) train to Chennai then bus/cab to pondicherry via E. coast or central route.
I went with the later option and took a train from Hyderabad and reached Chennai after a 10-12 hours journey. On arriving Chennai take a Cab/Auto from Railway station to Bus stop for Pondicherry, then took a bus to pondicherry via East coast route (always preferable), the major part of the route is by the beaches along the Bay of Bengal. The alternative bus goes through the central part and its not that interesting. After a 3 hour ride I reached Pondicherry bus stop.
It is always advisable to book your hotel room in advance but if one is passionate backpacker then he may find budget hotel in and around the bus stop and even the Auto drivers can take you to hotels depending on your budget. Try getting a hotel room which is closer to promenade beach in white town (recommended) , which basically is the most alive region of pondicherry. I have prebooked my Hotel via (Goibibo.com) at Velvett Vila, Heritage home, which is at walk-able distance from promenade beach.
Commute in Pondi
See the french in a Italian way.
Ask the desk officer at your hotel for bike rentals, the rental fees will be around 300-400 (negotiable) per day. This is the most convenient and voguish way to go around in pondi. Other way to commute is by bus and auto=rickshaw.
MUST VISITS:
Promenade Beach Rock Beach French Memorial Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Auroville Ashram Auroville Beach Serenity Beach
TRIP STRUCTURE
Day 1, I had reached pondicherry by noon and checked into my hotel room and freshened up in couple of hours, I had already asked my desk receptionist to arrange rental bikes, I had paid the advance for the bikes and then started for a ride along the rock beach and after a quick ride in white town where you can see the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus we reached promenade. After that I started off for paradise beach where we had sea food dishes by the shacks, these were the fresh catch of prawns and fish. Then traveled back to Baker Street, MG Road, here you can try fresh french bakes and confectioneries like croissant, burgers and pizzas. After this I went back to room, got changed and walked towards promenade.
At night the Promenade is closed for vehicles and you need to park your vehicle afar. A night stroll at the Promenade is something which will touch the soul of every traveler, the invisible dark waves roaring as they break against the foundation rocks. Walking by the cafes along the shore and having a ice cream at "Gelateria Montecatini Terme" was something that I wouldn't be forgetful of. One can also see the French Memorial lit in white light and shop at the flea market and day one comes to an end.
Day 2 was more exciting as I had Auroville Ashram on my list and wanted to experience what it has to offer. I hadn't plan to do any of the session or therapies at Auroville but just a brief visit. You need to take the passes beforehand for meditations and other sessions, please find more detail here: ( https://www.auroville.org/contents/252 )
After an intriguing visit at Auroville and seeing the architectural marvel, the Matrimandir, it was time for lunch and no better than TANTO PIZZERIA. Here i had tried Seabreeze pizza which is basically a seafood pizza. After lunch I had gone to Auroville beach which was more deserted and more peaceful and then I headed towards pondicherry beach and it was almost evening and enjoyed the purple sunset sky sitting on a pier.
DAY 2,
Then after a long ride back to hotel I had my dinner at a near by diner, where they serve local dishes like idli, puri, Malabar paratha, chicken curry and dosa of different type.
I have also visited the Indian coffee house Puducherry branch, serving the same menu which is served at other branches nation wide. After shopping, I went back to my room and went to bed as i had to catch the earliest ride for Chennai and then board a train for Hyderabad.
Travelling Fare
I do travel economical so don't get amused looking at the fare breakdown. But its up to you and can have a leisure stay at pondicherry.
Train from HYD to CHENNAI ( to and fro, sleeper)-900 INR BUS from CHENNAI to PONDICHERRY (to and fro, non AC Seating )-400 INR Bike rental ( 2 days and Petrol)-750 INR Hotel (The Velvett villa,heritage homes. (fare is higher as the hotel was located in white town))-1000 INR
Take Back from PONDI:
One cannot explain what's like being in Pondicherry, to know exactly what this place has to offer one must surely experience the alleys and old french architectural beaut, indulge the french cuisine, breathe the salty coastal air and rejuvenate mentally and emotionally. One will surely find his soul by just being there.
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