The final destination was Pondicherry – with a few hours stop at Mahabalipuram (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabalipuram) – meeting the traditional stone carvers. These artisans are frequently commissioned to create sculptures for temples, residences and other places around the world. It is a delight to see the carvers working diligently to convert a block of stone into a beautiful sculpture.
In Pondicherry, we stayed at yet another Neemrana property - Hotel De L’Orient (www.neemranahotels.com/pondi/index.html.htm) - a restored French education institution. Of all the Neemrana properties we have stayed at so far, this one scores the highest on maintenance – the staff as in other properties is very courteous and helpful. The hotel is conveniently located parallel to the Beach Road and the Aurobindo Ashram( http://www.sriaurobindoashram.org)/ is round the corner. Part of the larger Ashram activities, locals are taught various craft such as making hand made paper, candles and a unique “marble pattern on paper and textile”. The departments are located in the vicinity of the Ashram and are successfully producing various products that are available for purchase.
Most streets in the vicinity of the Ashram still have French names and it is a task to find your way around even with a map, as it is difficult to communicate in the French language….…btw, are we still colonised??
For those who love ice creams – Le Soleil on the Beach Road is a must-must go….(and I do know many who would freak out at this place)- they serve two basic ice cream flavors (vanilla and chocolate) and give an option of around 50 toppings …the ice cream was the creamiest that I have ever had!! And imagine a road side Pizzeria that bakes freshly stretched base pizzas in a wood fired oven!
Another landmark of Pondicherry is the Golden Bridge Pottery (http://www.raymeeker.com/history.html ). Several students of this institute have set up independent studios and production units for hand-made studio pottery in Pondicherry and other parts of India.
We also visited Auroville (http://www.auroville.org/) – an experiment of community living - conceived in the 1930s but implemented in late 1960s. It is peaceful and beautiful….and we got to know that it has tax exemption, i.e., members of the Auroville commune are not required to pay income tax, instead are expected to voluntarily contribute to the Auroville Foundation.
All and all – a wonderful trip…..!
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