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Old 16th August 2019, 09:45   #1
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Bangalore to Pondicherry in a Skoda Rapid

It had been a year since we moved to Bangalore. The itch for a long drive had been partially satisfied with a couple of drives to Kerala.

The itch began again, and the opportunity presented itself in the form of two long weekends in August.

Long Weekend 1 - 9th Aug to 12th Aug
Long Weekend 2 - 15th Aug to 18th Aug (with one leave thrown in)

We chose the first long weekend, both wife and I were working on 9th Aug, but daughter was off. So we decided to start our journey from 10th Aug, making it a real short trip.

So, dates decided. Hotel booking done. Time to get the car ready. The tires were wearing out fast, they were 5 years old, and done their duty for around 70000 km. Got new Michelins to replace the existing ones. Battery check ok. Service done. Car all set.

I did some research on the route to take. Checked Google Maps, and it gave me three options.
Option 1 - Through Hoskote - Palamaner - Pallikonda - Arani - Thindivanam - Pondi
Option 2 - Through Attibele - Krishnagiri - Vaniyambadi - Pallikonda - Arani - Thindivanam - Pondi
Option 3 - Through Attibele - Krishnagiri - Chengam - Thiruvanamalai - Thindivanam - Pondi

Checked Team-BHP thread, and it seemed that Option 2 was the more popular one. Option 3, was definitely out due to the road conditions, even though it was the shortest.
Since I stay near Hoskote, Option 1 would have been good as well, but didn't want to be too adventurous on the way out. So decided to stick to Option 2.

Last edited by Sunil2307 : 16th August 2019 at 09:53.
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Old 17th August 2019, 11:17   #2
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re: Bangalore to Pondicherry in a Skoda Rapid

Companions - Wife and 10-yr old daughter
Steed - Skoda Rapid 2012

Day 1 - 10th Aug 2019

Plan was to start at 5 am. Got up at 4:30 am to get ready. Surprisingly the little one got up in one call She was as excited as anyone for the trip.

Started at sharp 5 am. All as per plan now. Drove to Attibele on not so smooth and hump infested roads of Bangalore. Took an hour. After crossing the toll, it was a smooth ride till Krishnagiri. Then took the left to Bagur, and on to NH48 towards Chennai. The tarmac was perfect and few kms into the drive the scenery changed and it was picture perfect. There was virtually no traffic, and it was a breeze to drive through those roads. Took a break at Hotel Anandha's somewhere between Ambur and Pallikonda for breakfast and to stretch the back and legs a bit.
Its a decent highway restaurant . Nothing too fancy. Had Dosas, idlis, vadas and coffee. All reasonably priced.
Then we continued on our journey. Crossed the Pallikonda toll and took the right turn towards Anaicut. If the previous section was the perfect national highway, this was the perfect state highway passing through a rural setting.

The road was just perfect, clearly marked, not a pothole in sight. Speed breakers were few and far between, and each of them correctly marked and with just the correct gradients. I think BBMP should take a leaf out of these books and educate themselves on how to make the speed breakers. Enough of the rant.

So we continued on these picture perfect roads. We continued our journey through Vaniyambadi, Arani, Gengapuram, Gangasoodamani, Chetpet. Chetpet was a bit crowded, but nothing too alarming. We continued till we hit NH77. Then took a left towards Tindivanam. Continued on to Omandur, Kiliyanur, and Pondicherry. Inside the city we did it hit some traffic, but reached our destination around 11:40, which was a 6hr 40 min drive including a 30 min break. So not bad.

We checked into Executive Inn near the Promenade beach. Nice boutique hotel with nice clean rooms and bathrooms. Not too fancy but comfortable enough.

Rested for about an hour. It was a bit clouded, so decided to take a walk down the Promenade. It was very clean, not too crowded and the breeze made the approx 1.5 km walk bearable.

Bangalore to Pondicherry in a Skoda Rapid-img_5153.jpg

Had lunch in a restaurant on the Promenade, and walked back to the hotel.

Then drove down to Matrimandir in Auroville. The idea was to get a ticket to Matrimandir for either Sunday or Monday. The tickets are free, but you need to go there in person to get the tickets. The tickets are only available for the following day or the next nearest available time slot. So we had to hurry.

Drove through Auroville, to the visitor's centre. Parked the car, and then its about 500m walk to the Vistior's centre through a shaded pathway. We reached the visitor's centre and were directed to the place where passes were being issued to the Matrimandir view point. Please note that this just a pass to a point from where you can see the Matrimandir from a distance. To get inside, you need to get the tickets I mentioned earlier. I enquired about it, and they directed me to an opposite building. So went there, and to my disappointment, the next available tickets were for Wednesday. Sold out for Sunday and Monday. Tuesday is a holiday. :(

So we decided to go to the Matrimandir view point, which is a further 1 km walk.
Bangalore to Pondicherry in a Skoda Rapid-img_5172.jpg

Notice the giant wind chime at the top
Bangalore to Pondicherry in a Skoda Rapid-img_5178.jpg

We were tired by this time. Thankfully on the return there is a free shuttle bus to the visitor's centre.

This is the mesmerising scene which we saw from the view point.
Bangalore to Pondicherry in a Skoda Rapid-img_5195.jpg

Once at the viewpoint, decided to hit the beach. Went to Auroville beach for the day. Its a nice clean beach, the water was a clean as well. But not much activities there.

After spending about an hour at the beach, went back to the hotel, took a shower changed, and headed for dinner. The place of choice for the day was Cafe Xtasi in White town.

After this came back to the hotel and retired for the night.

Last edited by Sunil2307 : 17th August 2019 at 16:21.
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Old 17th August 2019, 16:37   #3
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re: Bangalore to Pondicherry in a Skoda Rapid

Day 2 - 11th Aug 2019

Breakfast at the hotel, and then we went to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Science centre. Many of the exhibits were not working unfortunately. Many were working though and it was a fun hour at the science centre. Probably lack of funds was the reason. If this was maintained well, it could have been a very beneficial for the kids in the city and a tourist attraction as well.

After spending an hour there, we headed to Pondicherry Museum. It was another fun hour. After this we spent about an hour walking the French quarters.
Bangalore to Pondicherry in a Skoda Rapid-img_5212.jpg

Bangalore to Pondicherry in a Skoda Rapid-img_5213.jpg

For lunch, we headed back to Auroville and had lunch at Tanto's. Its a very popular joint, and crowded. We ordered a sea food platter and fish fingers with chips. It was probably a mistake, as we ended up waiting for almost half an hour. But the food was tasty.
Bangalore to Pondicherry in a Skoda Rapid-img_5253.jpg
Bangalore to Pondicherry in a Skoda Rapid-img_5254.jpg

After polishing it off, we headed to Paradise beach. It was easily the best of the three beaches we visited in Pondicherry. To get there you need to take a boat ride from Chunnambar boat ride centre. There is an entry ticket per person, separate ticket for the camera and for the boat ride. For the boat ride to the beach it is 300 per person, with kids paying half. We had to stand in queue for about 45 mins, and then a 20 min boat ride to Paradise beach. The beach was just astounding. The sand was soft, and the waters were not too deep. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

There are shower and toilet facilities at the beach. There is a place for rain dance as well. The last return boat is at 6:30 pm. Again there was a long queue, must have taken 30 mins in the queue. After returning back, we drove back to the hotel, a quick shower and change of clothes later we went to dinner in the french quarters.

Again a nice tiring but totally worth it day.

Last edited by Sunil2307 : 17th August 2019 at 16:43.
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Old 17th August 2019, 16:51   #4
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re: Bangalore to Pondicherry in a Skoda Rapid

Day 3 - 12th Aug 2019
Time for the return journey. We had breakfast at the hotel, packed up, checked out and left. Straight to a french bakery, bought some breads and pastries and on our way back home at around 11 am.

For the return journey we took the Option 3 route. No regrets.

I will want to caution the readers here, in this route between Pallikonda and Palamaner, there are a total of 3 petrol bunks, and no eating joints. More than 80% of the drive is through an area where there are no mobile signals. But you will be treated to views like this -
Bangalore to Pondicherry in a Skoda Rapid-img_4217.jpg

The drive is through a forest, but the roads are good throughout, except for maybe a 100m section.

But as I said earlier, fill your tummies and cars (if you need fuel) around Pallikonda. Do not, I repeat do not take a chance. Dont take a chance if you are not confident.

Once you hit the highway NH69, you will be treated to highways like this -
Bangalore to Pondicherry in a Skoda Rapid-640e0a4f1d9843298d0e5fb94bf4b63a.jpg
Bangalore to Pondicherry in a Skoda Rapid-2676f61fd65946509b319dab80bde0c6.jpg

Reached home through Kolar and Hoskote by 5 pm.

So end of an enjoyable holiday and my first travelogue in Team-bhp.

Last edited by Sunil2307 : 17th August 2019 at 16:53.
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Old 18th August 2019, 07:39   #5
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re: Bangalore to Pondicherry in a Skoda Rapid

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!
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Old 18th August 2019, 11:36   #6
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re: Bangalore to Pondicherry in a Skoda Rapid

Cafe xtasi is an evergreen place! And Pondicherry is awesome weekend destination to hang out.

Another place is this huge Oussudu lake mainly for bird watching.
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Old 18th August 2019, 16:26   #7
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re: Bangalore to Pondicherry in a Skoda Rapid

Oussudu is on the list for the next time.
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