Getaway to Pondicherry
Transport
If you want to join in our transport that we organised for the event, please get in touch with us at the Fest Registration desk on 23 or 24 September at Taj Gateway and Book your travel to Pondicherry only for Rs. 300 per person
Agenda for Getaway to Pondicherry
25 september:
Check out from venue at 11 AM
Lunch by the sea at Mahabalipuram at 1 PM
Party at Pondicherry (Venue, Time & entry info, soon)
26 September:
Aerial silk class with Julia Pauer, 11 AM - 1 PM
Lunch get together at Auroville
Party at Pondicherry (Venue, Time & entry info, soon)
(Alternatively you can also explore the beautiful little town on your own. Read below for more suggestions)
Bonjour!
Don’t be surprised if you are greeted with a “bonjour comment ça va?” by a native Pondicherrian, but not to worry, you are still in India, albeit with a French touch.
Thanks to its colonial past and laid-back lifestyle, Pondicherry has a special ambiance quite unlike any other city. The French influence combined with the local Tamil culture make for a charming mix. In the “French Quarter” many street names are displayed in both French and Tamil on characteristic blue enamel boards similar to the ones used in France. The broad stone paved roads and colonial buildings of the ”French Quarter” take you back in time to a more tranquil era. Sometimes Pondicherry is romantically referred to as the ‘French Riviera of the East’.
The combination of Tamil and French cultures, the backdrop of colonial streetscapes, the spiritual aura and the many people settled here from different Indian states and countries make Pondicherry an interesting and exotic place to discover. There’s something for everyone. - source Zoom Pondy
Suggestions PLACES TO STAY :
(prices with breakfast, single & double sharing respectively, in INR)
Le Beach (1250; 1400)
Bouvana Residency (1600; 2100)
Hotel Karai (1850; 2100)
Hotel Annamalai International (3250; 3950)
Hotel De Pondicherry (3450; 3950)
Hotel Shenbaga (3750; 3850)
The info is provided by our travel partner, vacation feast.
Please contact, Mr. Vittal at +91 98403 06383 for bookings
Suggestions THINGS TO DO :
Scuba Diving - Temple Adventures
Surfing - Kallialay Surf School
Sailing/Speed Boat Ride - Pondy Nautic
Heritage Walk -http://www.intachpondicherry.org/heritagewalk.php
Pondy Cycle Tour - Sita Cultural Center
Watsu (Water based Therapy) - Dune Eco Village & Spa & Quiet Healing Center
Suggestions PLACES TO VISIT & SHOPPING :
Manakula Vinayagar Temple
Sri Aurobindo Ashram
Aurobindo Paper Factory
Matrimandir (Auroville)
Auroville Visitors Centre
Kalinka (Art Gallery)
My Tibet
LAL - LivingArt Lifestyles
Street Shopping - Nehru Street. Pondicherry
Suggestions for RESTAURANT & CAFE
La Casita Cafe
Baker Street, Pondicherry
ZUKA
Kasha Ki Aasha
Café des Arts
Crêpe in touch
New Banana Café
Le Club Pondicherry (LCP)
UMAMI Kitchen
La Plancha Pondicherry
LB2 Lounge
DisDis & Co
Bread & Chocolate (Auroville)
The best / cheapest way to commute in and around Pondicherry is to rent a scooter or bicycle. Auto Rickshaw is an option too but don't forget to BARGAIN !! You can also spend entire afternoon taking a walk on the serene Ashram Area and White town of Pondicherry.
Written by Kash Timmers, La Casita, Pondicherry & editted by Arun Srinivasan
