MAHABALIPURAM AND PONDICHERRY PART 2
We reached Pondicherry around 6 in the evening and the auto
wallahs were there offering us a drop to beach in just 40 rupees. We pulled out
Aj’s phone and checked our location. It was a straight road 2.5 km walk and we
decided to walk it and save another 40. I am sure we did earn ourselves some
stars from the cheap travelling god above. Blisters on my feet slowed us down
to a great extent but we somehow managed to get to Ajantha Beach Guest house.
Aj had been in contact with them over last two days and we were awaiting our thousand
rupees a night room to welcome us with AC and a shower. When we reached they
told us they had not made any bookings in our name and we were asked to take
beach view rooms for 1500. We were not having any of this, we walked out.
After walking around a bit we finally cracked a deal at 1200
for a room at the guest house next to it called mother’s guest house. Finally it
was time for a bath as Aj enjoyed the bed and AC. Jobin was coming in next day
and we were once more searching for better accommodation. We decided on an apartment
which Aj had cancelled this morning. It was now on me to get it on the price we
wanted. Though I would have loved 1500 apartment we settled to pay 1800 for the
apartment and it was a blessing.
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Bhel puri with curry |
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1st night @ Promenade with chaat |
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Le cafe |
We had a latte at Le Cafe but they were not serving breakfast. Though hungry we were happy as it would dig a hole albeit small in our pockets. It used to be old port office for Pondicherry port. After our coffe and a glass of herbal drink from a local vendor for the boys it was time to freshen up and leave for the ne accommodation.
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Our Apartment |
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Blessed???? |
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Introducing Jobin |
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On the way to Matrimandir |
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Visitor's centre |
To sya that Jobin had once lived in auroville for six months
is a joke. He remembers absolutely nothing and was as good as us in guessing
which turn to take. Eventually we reached the visitor’s centre parked our rides
and walked to the centre to see the video and get our passes for the Matri
Mandir. I was disappointed that we will not be able to go inside the mandir but
will only be able to see it from afar. After having a neembu paani at the cafe
we started on our way to Matri mandir. Believe me it is a long walk in the heat
no matter what they say. We filled up our bottles again and missed Gatorade to
take us through the heat.
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@ view point |
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Hot Pizzeria |
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Me trying to make vortex in the bottle |
If you think only Italians can do wood fire pizzas visit here?
It’s barely a shack run by a family and you will find akka taking your order and serving delicious and large pizzas freshly
made. I had wanted to ask them if they use homemade cheese but did not get
around to. While coming from solar kitchen towards ECS via dinesh’s tea stall
look out for the ‘Hot Pizzeria’board. Turn into the small street park your
vehicles and eat away. We ended up ordering a personal size vegetarian for me
and a medium for the boys. The pizzas are huge and easily filled us all up.
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My pizza |
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Their's |
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Shared auto to the beach |
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salt pans |
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Enroute Kadpakkam |
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Fort and beach |
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Kids |
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Aj with the kids |
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Fort ruins by Jobin |
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The shack |
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Our Lunch |
Next day it was time to make a move to Chennai and then off
to Hyderabad for us and Bangalore for Jobin. This time we decided to get an AC
bus. Jobin got some food packed and we got on the bus reading our time away. We
reached Chennai in three and a half hours and had our lunch at the CMBT. We reached central in 15B and now we had to
wait. We said our goodbyes and walked over to our train which was waiting for
us on the platform.
Expenditure in Pondicherry (3 days)
Accomodation 1800/-
Bike rent and petrol 200/-
Bus to kadpakkam and back 86/-
(we over payed while going to kadpakkam)
Shared autos and bus (Pondi and Alambarai) 35/-
Food and other misclenaeous expenditure 1000/-
Bus to Chennai 190/-
Bus to central 9/-
Total 3320/-
Total 3320/-
Tip: If you are hiring a bike for just one day don’t fill up
for more than 75 (1L) of petrol you can’t really use it all. Also take care
while driving it can be challenging.
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