Pondicherry

We had this plan to spend our time in Pondicherry. When the plan was out, the first thing which came to the mind was cheap alcohol. But this time since it was with family, that was out of the equation. The next thing was Auroville and Gandhi statue. When I did my research about Pondicherry, the things which showed up so often was Auroville and JIPMER.

The first thing we did after refreshing ourselves in the hotel was rent a scooter and went to Le Cafe to have breakfast. This cafe is well maintained for a government run one. It has a good view right in the edge of the land. The service was real poor. We were hungry and the food just arrived so late. The food was good.

A view from Le cafe

Our next stop was Auroville. That small ride from Pondi to the auroville was good. We enjoyed the ride. We had to walk quite a distance to reach Matrimandir, and that too to have a view of it from outside. Might be this structure was interesting a decade back. I feel in todays world, there are quite a lot of uniquely shaped buildings in a metro city and this long walk is so tiresome to just have a glimpse of it.

We went straight to room to rest for sometime and then we started to Rock beach. Did I mention that we stayed in Heritage town. This part of town is a bustling market place, and it attracts quite a lot of crowd on a Sunday evening. We had to cross white town to reach the Rock beach. White town houses a lot of french style houses with a beautiful view.

Rock beach was crowded but the walk was worth it. We had walked crossing the Gandhi statue witnessing the police band, french embassy, customs, old light house. We walked till the other end of the beach and walked back again.

The next day morning we had rushed to watch the sunrise at rock beach and then to paradise beach. We rushed to the spot to beat the crowd. The small boat trip to paradise beach and then the bath there was good. The beach doesn't have many facilities. But the government is working on it. They have build shacks and dressing rooms, which are relatively new built structures in the beach.

The rising sun with the fisherman and the birds

Le cafe at night

Gandhi statue

Lighthouse

The pier

The fisherman working so early even before the sun is up.

Overall the trip was a good thing to spend time on a weekend away from the metro city life.

Manapad & Uvari

One fine day me and my brothers decided to go watch sunrise at Uvari for no reason. The plan was hatched the night before the trip. We asked Google the time to reach there and the time the Sun would rise next morning. We had to set our alarms so that we reach there in time.

Uvari is a small fishing town in the east coast. Its known for Arulmigu Ovari Suyambulinga swami temple and the Kappal Matha church. We started early and were literally chasing the sun. We were travelling towards east and were looking at the horizon to see that the sun doesn't come out before we reach the spot.

From the car. You can see the horizon lighting up

On the way it was a splendid sight to see small villages waking up from their sleep and the tea shops becoming active. Finally reached Uvari and ended up in the pier.

Google Maps of the location we were in

We started walking in the pier towards the sun. Fishermen waiting to get into sea, birds catching there early morning food, a single fisher man catching fish with his custom made fishing rod.

And at one point I turned towards the mainland to witness the first rays of sun on the small village, and I was awestruck. The small village looked as if it was coated with gold by the sun rays. It was an amazing scene. As usual tried taking some pics and they didn't do enough justice to the scene. So I had to put the camera away and enjoy the scenery.

Kappal Matha Church

Our next stop was supposed to be Manapad. Another small village in the coast made famous for some movies shot there. There are few scenes from Singam shot here.

This place has an awesome blue beach. And the church here is also so famous.

St. Francis Xavier was supposedly landed here.

My over excited brother

Over excited brothers

Never knew such a beautiful place existed so close to home. Decided to check all places close to home. And after the trip was done, and when I was in Bangalore, realised there are options to surf and do adventurous sports in Manapad. So have it check it agin some time soon.