Pondy

Pondicherry (Puducherry now) …Hard to think that this spot in India was under French rule until 1954.

We are told it’s a good place to ease into India. We take the four hour Red Bus south from Chennai.

Our AC daytime sleeper bus is not hard to take.

While we don’t stay right in the older ‘french’ part of town, everywhere is pretty walkable. Lots of tuktuks in a pinch, regardless.

View from our rooftop – stayed at Flowers of Walden… simple, shared apartment; just fine, with very helpful manager, Gopal.
Pondicherry has a good mix of bustle and calm.

Good balance a requisite for managing here. French area; treelined streets.

City boasts a beautiful seaside promenade: Bay of Bengal. (We’re on the south east part of India) .

More historic French area and sea.

Statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the seawall; Diane wades in Sea of Bengal.

Favourite family pastime at dusk.

City Grand Bazarre colourful with its fruit, veggies, and flowers.

Skilled labourers are often seen outside shops:

Fabric Beaders; not sure where the electricians are but they adore decorating walls with light, fan, plug switches. This one is modest.

tinkers, tailors,…..

We had some great food in Pondicherry – lots of options.

Dosa, paper thin, rice flour crepe served with coconut and other more spicy chutneys (chatnis).

The last night it was De Bussy Restaurant, for a farewell, tasty, vegetarian squash curry.

Bottom: symbol chocked on pavement outside many commercial establishments. Tamil symbols for Prosperity, good fortune.