Pondicherry – Travelogue90

It is truly said, ‘an ocean breeze puts a mind at ease.’ The beach can make everything around better – life, body, mind, and spirit. Much of India’s coastline is about 7,000 kilometres and you could witness some incredible beaches around. You could either experience solitude here or party till the sunrises.

India’s population works so hard round the clock, that they reward themselves with a visit to the beach. What is so fascinating about the beach? The sun that sets the tone of the sea or the sparkling sand or the shacks or the sound of waves? It is a combination of all four that gravitates us over and over again.

While during this COVID-19 we secretly dream of living in a tropical island with palm-fringed trees or laying on the sun bed with a drink and book all day long like a crocodile, here is a throwback of some awesome beaches which you could visit post the pandemic:

Candolim, North Goa: Right from fishing to seaside yoga to flourishing markets to party culture to scenic views, the Candolim beach in North Goa offers it all. The beach is in proximity to a lighthouse and a church, completing the look and feel . The walk towards the beach is serene as you can see villas lit up on a cool December. The best time to visit Candolim is between November to April.

Varca Beach, South Goa: Another gem from the city and this time from the south, is Varca. One of the cleanest beaches in Goa, it is known for the calm and quietness. It is completely hawker-free and ideal for spending quality time with your loved ones. If you seek some me-time, this is the beach to be. There is some adventure for the typical ones, i.e. paragliding. Experience the view of South Goa from up above. Varca is best to visit between November to March.

Ganpatipule Beach, Ganpatipule: Maharashtra is known for its rich coastal areas. One such place is Ganpatipule. City dwellers seek a break and come to Ganpatipule Beach as it provides the right combination of privacy and entertainment. Another clean beach in the Konkan, there are number of activities you can enjoy along with complete relaxation and scenic view. The beach is closer to the famous Ganesha temple. Best time to be here is between October to February.

Aare Ware Beach, Ganpatipule: If you want to escape the crowd of Ganpatipule, head to the Aare Ware beach situated near Nevare Village in Ratnagiri. It is flanked by clean blue water and white sand. It is also one of the lesser-known beaches of Ganpatipule. The beach is 3km long and boasts of beautiful landscape. It captivates the solo traveller in you, thanks to the breathtaking views in the mornings and evenings.

Malgund Beach, Ganpatipule: You can find this beach 6 kms away from Ganpatipule. It is renowned for the birth place of famous Marathi poet Keshavasta. He wrote many treatises in the language. The beach offers space to enjoy some isolation amidst the realm of nature. You could easily spend quality time with loved ones as it keeps commercialisation at bay and the landscape is a treat for your eyes.

Alibaug Beach, Alibaug: It is one of the beautiful beaches in Maharashtra and often thronged by the locals. Thanks to jaw-dropping scenic views and impeccable sunset, there is no dearth of visitors. Enjoy the spectacular views of the Arabian Sea at the beach between October to May. Do visit the Kolaba Sea fort, take a motorboat ride, and the animal rides at the beach.

Juhu Beach, Mumbai: It is the most popular and crowded beaches in Mumbai. The beach is also closer to some of the luxurious hotels and celebrity homes. The moment you enter the beach, you will have street food calling you towards them, right from cheesy pav bhajji to chaat to ice candy. You can witness the sight of the aircraft landing at the airport, which is closer to the beach. It you want to get up-close and personal with nature, this is place that offers you solace. You might as well visit the ISKON temple nearby the beach.

Marina Beach, Chennai: Moving down South is the second largest beach in the world, the Marina beach which is breathtakingly beautiful. If the nature and spectacular views were not enough to lure the beach bums, the historical monuments close by adds to the attraction. Come enjoy some idli-chutney with some beach view between November to February and rejuvenate.

Mahabalipuram Beach, Tamil Nadu: Sunny days, sandy beach, and rich history, this place has everything that a beach lover and adventurous soul needs. The beach is white, beautiful, and clean. It is abundantly enjoyed by tourists. If you visit during a full moon, you could watch the jaw-dropping reflection on the sea.

Rock Beach, Pondicherry: This place has numerous rocks attached to it beautifully. If you want to capture some stunning pictures of the sunrise and sunset you must surely head to the most serene place in Pondicherry. The most enticing beaches in the territory is best enjoyed with a croissant and walking by the promenade.

Let’s raise a toast to the beauty of the world! Remember, carry those shells in your pockets and sand in your shoes always 😉

Over the past years I have heard, seen, and viewed videos on Pondicherry. It always made me inquisitive. What is so special about the territory? A month back, I finally had the opportunity to check it for myself. I realised all the hullabaloo over Pondicherry aka ‘Puducherry’ was worth it. All that colourful posts and neat roads I saw over posts and videos, was right in front of me. Any girl would go gaga over these colour pops.

Pondicherry is known for its colonial influence, thanks to France, Netherlands, England, and Portugal. One of the prime reasons it is called the ‘Little France of India.’ Apart from being famous for its architecture, churches, and extravagantly clean roads, the colonial influence is visible over the gourmet food as well. Before heading to Pondicherry, I was fortunate to sit in the cafes of Paris sipping a nice cuppa hot chocolate. Since, I have always dreamt of heading back and experiencing it all over again. Pondicherry made it happen.

If you are someone who dreams of sitting in a French cafe and sipping a nice coffee, then the following Pondy cafes should be on your checklist –

Oink Hummus at Coromandel Cafe © Travelogue90

Coromandel Cafe: Housed in the century old villa Le Maison Rose in White Town is the Coromandel Cafe. The same team that conceptulised Amethyst, established this cafe. The interiors act as your second abode and the cafe furniture has a Jodhpur touch to it. The cuisine is European with an Indian touch. What we loved the most here is the pink hummus and flat bread. You should also try out their signature Posh N’ Pink Tagliatelle that includes pink sauce, goats cheese, caramalised onions, sprouts, and red cabbage.

Le Cafe: Many businessmen are of the opinion that Le Cafe is a lovable place. It is more or less a meeting point for the locals. Le Cafe holds high regards for its top-notch bakery and several passing expatriates have spoken in length about the place. The ambiance is authentic and gives you a breathtaking view of the Bay of Bengal. The best part, the bakery items and wood stock pizza comes at a reasonable price. Make sure to try their chocolate brownie with ice cream.

Cafe Des Arts: It propounds a Bohemian charm and a vintage ambiance. The cafe mesmerises you with its French decor. Apart from the outdoor seating, the indoor seating offers a special place for book lovers. The menu does not fail to surprise the visitors. The must-try items are masala chai, Hibiscus flower syrup drink, nutella pancakes, and crepes. The cost for two would be INR 600-800.

Right Path Cafe: There are several eateries and cafes the moment you enter Auroville. But one of the places I will recommend you to head is the Right Path Cafe. They have spacious interiors as well as exteriors seating, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner available at affordable price. They serve authentic south Indian meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You get the mini and full meal here. Do not forget to end the meal with Auroville’s special syrup juice that is healthy and delicious.

Le Dupleix: We were fortunate to opt for Le Dupleix in White Town for our stay. The architecture and design mixed with modern touch took us back to the colonial era in the modern world. The dining space is ideal for friends and family under a prepossessing roof. The reason their cafe is cosy is because it is away from the main city’s hustle and bustle. Since Le Dupleix was our abode, the hotel staff provided us discount on the lunch.

PY Cafe Love: The MG Road in Pondicherry is known for the best French-styled cafes. One such must-visit is PY Cafe Love. Right from mirrors in the wall to stenciled quotes to broken clocks to amazing food, PY Cafe Love has everything in it. The idea of the cafe is to just engage in conversations with your loved ones. If you visit the cafe alone, they have solution for that as well. You will receive a colouring paper with some wacky quotes. You could colour them until the food arrives. How cool, right?

Meraki Eatery Teahouse: Although it was a last-minute plan, the Meraki Eatery Teahouse is just what you need for a good and sumptuous breakfast. Their English breakfast is pretty filling while their masala chai and masala omelette is sufficient for a quick brekkie.

Hope Cafe: Never got an opportunity to eat here but came across this neon-themed cafe while heading to Cafe Des Arts. Situated in White Town, they term the cafe as hope, joy, and happiness. It is newly opened and quite a peaceful one. It is also one of the place where you can enjoy a vegan dish.

Mind you, all these cafes are in and around White Town. So, consider this list if you are visiting Pondy anytime soon.

Tag: Pondicherry

Beach Please! We all need some Vitamin ‘SEA’

Pondicherry cafes: A throwback to the colonial era