Pondicherry

We, the 6 IGs, arrived in Pondi late in the afternoon of Saturday, Nov. 10. We went to the suggested hotel and found it was FULL. We went to the second suggested hotel and it was FULL, as well. (People don't believe in Reservations as there is ALWAYS room!) Fortunately our autos drivers were patient and knew where other hotels/guests houses were. We finally found space in guest house 5, the Sri Krishnas Guest House and booked the last rooms.


With a good map of the city we were able to find our way to the Le Rendezvous restaurant for dinner at 7:00 P.M. We were given a roof top table. The place filled up and by 8:00 there was a long line waiting to get in. The restaurant was supposed to be "French" with a wonderful Western menu. I tried the tomato salad and the guiche Lorraine. The food was delicious and the service was S-L-O-W!


Most major attractions were closed on Sunday but we did manage a walk along the Goubert Salai with its statue of Gandhi. We also saw the Notre Dame des Anges church which was built in 1858.


Walking in the French sector, between the canal and the Bay of Bengal, we were surprised at the clean streets and the lack of people. It was pleasant walking as we didn't have to watch where we were putting our feet.


We had picked out a quaint looking Pizzeria for lunch only to find out the dough was rising in the oven. So, we settled for Pizza Hut. An afternoon stroll through the bazaar area was noisy and action packed with all kinds of clothes, articles for the house, and food for sale.


We got to the bus depot at 5:00 P.M. and had to line up and buy a ticket to reserve a seat on the bus for 10 Rs. We left Pondi at 5:30 and arrived in Chennai at 9:45. This time we had a RESERVATION for our Comfort Hotel rooms.