Travelling through ‘India’s Little France’

I recently visited Pondicherry on an impromptu trip. It is the perfect place to travel if you love places rich in history and architecture. In June, it was one of those sultry summer days, which reminded me of the weather in Kerala when it is hot and a cool breeze by the beach is all you need to relax. Pondicherry was always on my bucket list as I was fascinated by its colourful architecture, charming cafes & beaches.

We started our day by visiting Rock Beach near the French Villa, where we were staying. It was the perfect day in the morning, the sun was not up, and there were no clouds in sight though it looked like it might rain. As I was walking through the lane, I saw two people doing Yoga near the beach and felt there could be no other way to start the day. As the waves washed my feet, it filled me with peace.

It is never a good idea to visit the beach in the afternoon. The sand was warm, and walking barefoot was impossible. Drinking cold lime soda in the sweltering heat was a relief in the heat.

After a tiring day, we went to the Botanical Garden and Sacred Heart Basilica Church. In the evening, as I walked through the bustling street, I saw a temple with a coat of grey in Tamil architecture and street vendors selling jewellery and other knick-knacks. The commotion with tourists buying souvenirs gave me an inexplicable feeling of contentment.

I planned to eat croissants in one of the cafes but I couldn’t, maybe next time. I would certainly recommend visiting Pondicherry if you want a quick weekend getaway.