I had been itching for a getaway for what felt like forever, and the long weekend between October 11th and 13th 2024 was practically begging for a mini-vacation. With so many options within driving distance of Bangalore—Mysore, Coorg, Ooty, Kodaikanal—it was a bit of a dilemma. But since I’ve always been drawn to the sea like a moth to a flame, Pondicherry was the obvious choice.
Friday morning rolled around, and by 10 AM, I was on the road. A solid 320 km stretch lay ahead, with a drive time of about seven hours, including a couple of much-needed pit stops. The road? Surprisingly decent for a single lane, and during the day, it treated me to some seriously picturesque scenes—lush greenery, tranquil lakes, sleepy little villages... basically, the kind of stuff that makes road trips worth every minute.

It’s fascinating (and a little bizarre) how India changes every 25-30 km. The food, the people, the very vibe of a place—it’s like crossing into a whole new world with every few kilometers. Case in point: I had a coffee that was made with coconut oil and jaggery. Was it bad? No. Was it weird? Absolutely. Then there was the sambhar, which tasted suspiciously like the dal (toor dal, to be exact) we usually have with rice. Go figure.
By the time I rolled into Pondicherry around 6 PM, I still hadn’t booked a hotel—because who needs a plan when spontaneity is the name of the game? I ditched my luggage and headed straight to the beach, and man, did luck ever smile down on me. Serenity Beach welcomed me with open arms, and I stumbled upon a sea-facing property that practically screamed, "Stay here!" So, I did. No second thoughts. And let me tell you, the 1:30 AM sky view from my suite’s balcony? Absolutely mind-blowing. Stars, waves, and that oh-so-dramatic thunderstorm at 2 AM. Rainstorms are one thing, but witnessing a beachside storm in the dead of night? That’s something else entirely. Terrifying? A little. Worth it? A thousand times, yes.



The next morning, I woke up early enough to catch the sunrise on the beach. From there, I wandered over to Auro Beach, Auroville Beach, and eventually, Pondicherry Beach. By lunchtime, I found myself at the much-talked-about Coromandel Café. Instagram hype? Yeah, there’s a bit of a wait for a table, but trust me, it's worth it. The food was excellent, but the real showstopper? The tiramisu. Best. Dessert. Ever.



As the evening settled in, I took a leisurely stroll along Rock Beach, visited the war memorial, and paid my respects to the Gandhi statue. Calm, peaceful, and exactly what I needed.
This road trip was a first for me—my longest one in the new car I got back in January—and I loved every second of it. There’s something about seeing your car parked in front of a beach, with the sea stretching endlessly behind it, that just hits different. Check out some pics of my car living its best life by the shore.

Pondicherry isn’t just a destination; it’s an experience. The French colonial vibes, the food, the ambiance—it’s like a little slice of Europe tucked away in South India. One of the funniest things I noticed? People obsessing over capturing that perfect Instagram photo. Whether it was outside those iconic colorful cafes or in front of the meticulously maintained wooden doors, everyone was jockeying for their shot. Bright yellows, blues, and pinks everywhere you looked, people were standing there for a solid 15-20 minutes, trying to get the lighting just right for their Instagram grid. Don’t even get me started on the crowd outside Starbucks—getting that picture-perfect frame was apparently the priority for everyone.



The irony, though? Some of those doors were on houses that were clearly under renovation or even falling apart, but hey, the doors were in pristine condition, practically begging to be photographed. Social media priorities, am I right?
The beauty of this trip was that it was entirely unplanned, and honestly, that’s what made it amazing. I usually tend to over-plan my vacations, which can sometimes take the fun out of it. But this time? No checklists, no fixed itinerary—just me, the road, and whatever came my way.

(I have a habit of collecting an object from every beach that I visit, collected this one from the Auro beach)

(The GOAT)
What were the highlights of the trip, you ask?
- I discovered that I can drive for four hours straight without a break (and cover 350+ kilometres in a day) without feeling totally wiped out.
- I had the best dessert of my life—seriously, that tiramisu at Coromandel Café was a game-changer.
- I experienced the most surreal 1:30 AM view of a starry sky, with the thunderstorm adding an extra layer of drama. Nature, you truly outdo yourself sometimes.
So here’s to unplanned adventures, the thrill of spontaneity, and the magic of Pondicherry.
Amaaaaazing! And very nicely captured. Definitely hopping in your car the next time! 😉