For a laidback weekend by the sea!

295 kms from Bangalore

What’s in it for me?

• Explore: Pondy is small enough to explore by foot. Even better, if you can hire a cycle and ride around. It’s an interesting little town that contradicts itself in many ways. The French colony by the seaside looks like a movie set, with its perfect little roads and tastefully done up homes. On the other side is a typically south Indian town with small chaotic roads and loud, colorful people!
• Shop: Pondy has something called a Sunday Bazaar, when the three main streets: Mahatma Gandhi road, Subhash Chandra Bose road and Nehru Street come alive with vendors all along the sidewalk selling everything from clothes to toothbrushes. You can get some of the best bargains in Pondy. Clothes (especially for women) are cheap and of decent quality. Scented candles and small fascinating things made of wood are popular buys as well. Pondy’s a great place for a makeover as a hippie!
• Visit the famous Auroville Global Village: Auroville is a fascinating place. It is built around the concept of an international village where people from across the globe and from different cultures come together and live in harmony with nature. In the center of Auroville is  an urne of marble shaped as a lotus flower. This houses a crystal ball containing sand brought from indian states and 175 countries around the world. The Matrimandir, ofcourse, is the highlight of Auroville. It’s a giant sphere made with golden plates and is a place of meditation.

What about Shelter?

Pondy has a few beach shacks on the East Coast Road. One can walk around the area and find accomodation. Some of them are run by foreginers and they tend to be a little suspicious of Indians. There are a lot of gueshouses in Pondy town as well, which are very resonably priced. Auroville has several guesthouses too. Information regarding booking is available on the Auroville site. Accomodation in Pondy can range from Rs.200 a night for a room, to Rs.5000 a night.

What about the grub?

Seafood, seafood and more seafood. It’s fresh and fantastic. Some of the best palces to eat are on the East Coast Road. Also try the India Coffee House on Jawaharlal Nehru Street. If you’re looking for a reasonable place to have a drink and enjoy the sea-view, head out to Hotel Ajantha on the roof top at Beach Road. There are numerous French cafes along the beach road and in little nooks and cranies of the French colony. Cycle around and discover the hidden treats!

How much do I have to shell out for the trip?

Staying at a reasonable guesthouse and splurging on food will cost you about Rs.3000-4000 for 3 days. Shopping will make you lose sight of your budget!

How do I get to Pondy?

Pondy is the most convenient place to get to from Bangalore. Take an overnight bus and you’ll be there in 7 hours. You can also drive to Pondy in about 5-8 hours depending on your car/ speed and the condition of roads at the time of the year. Roads are usually good but can get pretty bad during monsoons.