Pondicherry - L'Orient: Toddler's Days Out

phamilyman · 12th July 2014, 01:35

This was Sep 2013 when we had just moved to Chennai, and pondy was the second place we went to, after Mahabs. I'm terrible when it comes to cataloging my stay - I have no interest in writing paeans about the place, or pretending to be a guru about the place, just sharing bits and pieces as it is, lest someone find it useful in the future!

Day 1:
Villa Shanti. Nice little courtyard. Great restaurant for a nice lunch, albeit a bit pricey. We rested afterwards.

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Daksh had fun here as you can see!

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There were some nice little furniture shops.

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Then we went walking on the promenade. Here are the sights:

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Next, some pics of the hotel we stayed - Neemrana hotels' L'Orient.

phamilyman · 12th July 2014, 01:50

The hotel was quite compact and nice, as many such places are. As with all such good properties - this was in the French part of the town. The Indian part is nothing to write home about. Not that this is spotlessly clean, but quite nice all the same and has a fairly decent period feel to it.

We originally went to Palais de Mahe but paying 7-8k for an outstanding little pool and okay rooms didn't appeal. Thereafter we discovered this gem courtesy TripAdvisor. Its nice - we were lucky the ground floor Mahe room was given to us, but didn't have a functioning AC. We were upgraded into a much larger palatial suite - kinda like a 1BHK!

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Thereafter we went to the much hyped Auroville. If you are a common tourist who appreciates art/design but isnt in love with it - you will be disappointed. Its a fair amount of effort for a piddly view of the temple, The rest of it appeals to designer type folks, but not us. Here are some images:
Sir saying - papa, where do I play with the sand?!

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The awesome banyan tree. I quite liked it.

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Behold the matrimandir

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A random installation in a nearby building which had a film festival:

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that's it. It was a quick relaxing two day get away for us from Chennai - just take it easy time!

12th July 2014, 01:35	#1
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,968 Thanked: 4,642 Times	Pondicherry - L'Orient: Toddler's Days Out This was Sep 2013 when we had just moved to Chennai, and pondy was the second place we went to, after Mahabs. I'm terrible when it comes to cataloging my stay - I have no interest in writing paeans about the place, or pretending to be a guru about the place, just sharing bits and pieces as it is, lest someone find it useful in the future! Day 1: Villa Shanti. Nice little courtyard. Great restaurant for a nice lunch, albeit a bit pricey. We rested afterwards. Daksh had fun here as you can see! There were some nice little furniture shops. Then we went walking on the promenade. Here are the sights: Next, some pics of the hotel we stayed - Neemrana hotels' L'Orient.
	(2) Thanks

12th July 2014, 01:50	#2
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,968 Thanked: 4,642 Times	re: Pondicherry - L'Orient: Toddler's Days Out The hotel was quite compact and nice, as many such places are. As with all such good properties - this was in the French part of the town. The Indian part is nothing to write home about. Not that this is spotlessly clean, but quite nice all the same and has a fairly decent period feel to it. We originally went to Palais de Mahe but paying 7-8k for an outstanding little pool and okay rooms didn't appeal. Thereafter we discovered this gem courtesy TripAdvisor. Its nice - we were lucky the ground floor Mahe room was given to us, but didn't have a functioning AC. We were upgraded into a much larger palatial suite - kinda like a 1BHK! Thereafter we went to the much hyped Auroville. If you are a common tourist who appreciates art/design but isnt in love with it - you will be disappointed. Its a fair amount of effort for a piddly view of the temple, The rest of it appeals to designer type folks, but not us. Here are some images: Sir saying - papa, where do I play with the sand?! The awesome banyan tree. I quite liked it. Behold the matrimandir A random installation in a nearby building which had a film festival: that's it. It was a quick relaxing two day get away for us from Chennai - just take it easy time!
	(6) Thanks