Lone Drive to Pondicherry/Mahabalipuram

One night I was just woken up from deep sleep by some noise outside. I got up, saw around and down from the balcony, but there was nothing. The day was just coming out then, and the time was around 5AM. It was saturday and my wife was away, and suddenly somehow I thought what's my plan for today? The mind replied - 'Nothing! So what? Now that I'm up from sleep, what's the point in sleeping again? Why not just hit the road?'. My eyes just shined by the thought of having a long drive. But I didn't know where to go! Just thought of sitting by the sea came to my mind, and I promptly decided for Pondicherry. It was easier to go there, as the route is familiar. Promptly I started my laptop and booked a room in Ginger hotel in Pondy for the same day.
Then thought of taking bath fast to get set for the trip, but again the mind intervined and said - 'Bath... so early? C'mon... let's just get out and the bath will now happen only in Pondicherry! :-)'. Now how could I say NO?! So next thing was quick brushing and face wash, put on the shirt and cargos (as they were in sight), and pack one more pair for next day and just set off! Started the gaddi and staraight went towards Hosur road. Saw the fuel needle... still enough to take me at least 100kms.
So I was just enjoying the early morning drive on the mast highway and saw towards left, the passenger seat was empty. First time I was alone on any highway drive, and I was badly missing my front passenger, my wife Suchi! She has always been with me in all my highway endeavours.
But anyhow had to go on... and then I took my first break after 70kms at A2B Krishnagiri. Gaddi got it's stomach full, and so did I. Had typical southy breakfast, Idly sambhar! no other options available guys, so can't help it!
On the Pondy road, I came across a board indication some very old fort - Gingee Fort. Decided to take a halt, and turned my car towards the arrow. Got in, and it was just ruins of the fort. It was almost built out of rocks! But was refreshing enough, and a good sight.

Then again set off on the road for the destination unknown, and finally ended at Pondicherry. But I forgot to note down the address/phone of the hotel, and asking the local guys is pain in south India. Just followed my instincts, as it seemed I had seen the hotel when I last visited Pondy last year. And yes I was damn right, I reached straight to the hotel without asking anyone or getting lost :-). But the hotel guys had another surprise for me. They told that they had no information of my booking. I told them that I had booked it through Yatra. They then contacted Yatra and got the payment details. I had to wait cool 30 mins before getting the room! Went to the room, took bath with hot Pondy water in hot Pondy weather :-), and straight to bed. When I got up, it was already 3PM. Left the hotel and went to the beach road. It was just nothing out there, and I was then searching for some decent place to have lunch. Got in to one restaurant, and ordered some french stuff... don't remember the name! The people in Pondy are so laid back, that these guys took another 30mins to bring the lunch, and I was the only customer in the restaurant.





Went back to the beach road, but didn't find anything exciting.







Went inside the tourism office, and they recommended a visit to the Paradise Beach, which is actually a small island inside a small creek flowing through. I then set off for the destination. On the way while I was asking about directions, a buddhha rickshawala comes and scrapes my car from the right, and gives a meek look. I get out and see whole of my fender and bumper are badly scrapped :-(. Said nothing to that man, as it was futile as he wont understand a word what I said. With my heavy heart I reached the resort. From there took a boat to the Paradise beach. The boat ride was refreshing, and quite changed my mood. The beach was just OK, and only thing good was that it was away from all the hustle and bustle.







While coming back I found a Maruti service station and without any second thought entered there. The guys there did some rubbing with the compound, and waooo most of the scratches are gone, and they don't charge me anything! I'm happy again. Thanks Maruti! :-)
After that straight to hotel, and crashed on the bed. Went out again in the night, had some drive through beach road, and Pondy city. Not much eventful and came back. Adieu for the night!
Next morning checked out of the hotel around 11AM, and had breakfast (bread omelet) at the La Cafe on the beach road, just besides the beach. These guys again took ample time to bring the order. Had breakfast and set out on the scenic East Coast Road. The drive on the ECR was mast, and then I decided to take a halt at Mahabalipuram.





Went to the old caves, but here unthinkable happened. The heat was so intense and humidity so high that I almost fainted there. Rushed back to the car, started the AC and rested for almost 15mins. Gained back all the lost senses and left the place ASAP.
My next stop was my favourite place - Taj Fisherman Cove at Kovalam near Chennai. I went to the Bayview restaurant, and it was just fantastic! Had fresh grilled fish with parotas, and they prepared the bill much more than my expectation - after all it's TAJ! But had a great time there!





From there started my non stop return journey to Bangalore via Chennai. As soon as I got on the Chennai Bangalore highway, the roads opened like heaven. The Chennai Krishnagiri distance was covered in less than 3.5 hours! Took break again at Krishnagiri, had dinner myself, and my car also got it's stomach full again, and I had a reason to smile. On the way back my car returned an FE of 22kmpl+. Wao man... the chuna at the Taj compensated! :-) After that non stop straight to home in 1.5 hours!
But the heat in Mahabalipuram had taken its toll. I had got heat stroke, and I was down on bed for the next two days. Truly unforgettable trip! :-)