Homestays to Local Eateries: My Guide to an Enchanting Pondicherry Vacation

I traveled to Pondicherry from February 6th to February 9th th, 2023. This was my first trip to the southern part of India. We arrived at Chennai Airport and the journey from Chennai to Pondicherry took about 4 hours. The transit from Chennai to Pondicherry was scenic and the landscape was beautiful. Although I was only in Pondicherry for a short time, the experience was memorable, especially the Pichavaram mangrove forest. In my blog, I will share my experiences, places to visit, where to stay, and the total expenses I incurred. 

• For our accommodation, we rented a homestay in White Town, a quaint fishermen village in the French colony. The homestay was a small place with a kitchen and terrace. The view from the rooftop was stunning, especially at night when you could see the clear sky and hear the sound of the ocean. It's important to be respectful towards the locals in the fishermen village and a simple smile goes a long way. I want to mention one particular starry night that was very special to me. My partner and I were on the rooftop, and witnessing the clear sky, moon, stars, and oceanic currents was truly mesmerizing. 

• In terms of places to visit, since our trip was short, we focused on the touristy spots. On the first day, we explored Auroville, Rock Beach, and the promenade beach. Auroville had a great vibe and the cafes around were also good. We had breakfast at one of the French cafes, enjoying hot chocolate and sandwiches. On the next day, we went on a boat ride to the Pichavaram mangrove forest. To reach Pichavaram, we had to go to Chidambaram, which was an hour's journey from Pondicherry. From Chidambaram Bus Station, there were many local buses available. One challenge we faced was the language barrier. Lastly, I want to mention that the entire Rock Beach area is very pleasant, with people taking walks in the morning and evening. There is also a flea market, although it can be quite expensive. 

• There were a few places that we missed but plan to visit on our next trip, such as Aurobindo Ashram and the hand-made paper factory. 

• Here are some cafes and restaurants you can try: New Banana Cafe, La Villa, Tantos's and Sri Kamatchi Biryani Vedu. Additionally, there are some local restaurants you can also explore. 

• Below are the details of the estimated expenditure, excluding the flight ticket.

  

Particulars	Amount (In INR)
Airbnb	7,690
Food	4,000
Scooty	2,000
Petrol	400
Other expenses	300
Cab	6,500
Total	20,890

Pic-White Town, French colony.

For any queries or recommendations, Please feel free to comment.