The excitement of the day pushed our eyes open, though we had a tiring evening purchase for our little trip. The unstirred vicinity slipped as we rushed to get ready. It was 5: 45 A.M as he started off the bike and crushed the lemons on the rain-washed road. (smashing lemons on wheels is a custom for a safe journey). The faint smell of dawn broke while the turquoise horizon embraced us
The sun rose atop the sea as the pace heated up. We rode on tree-tunneled paths as the fresh wind blew on our faces. We glimpsed the bridges and was mesmerized by the gleaming waters.
We halted at the Café Coffee Day, 70 km before Pondicherry.
The coffee shop was set in such a blissful ambiance, where we viewed the green panorama from the cushion nooks of the porch. We ordered hot chocolate and stretched ourselves. The thick smoked chocolate arrived in a large cup. The aroma detangled our sensory nerves.
It began to drizzle as we entered the outskirts of Pondicherry. The famished stomach headed our bike straight to the restaurant. Suru Guru.
Suru Guru was concealed beneath a trail of plants, the twigs hided the staircase gracefully. It was around 8: 45 A.M. when the order was placed. We got comfortable in the room with high ceiling and warm sparkling light balls that adorned the walls.
A rolled-up, crunchy and sleek Ghee Dosa landed on our table. The flavor emanated as he poked the dosa to pieces and savored. Accompanied equally by the mouth-watering chutneys and tomato pachadi followed by the Idiyappam with coconut milk and idlies.
We sauntered through the French architectural street to Promenade beach which was pretty close to the restaurant. The beauty of Pondicherry lay in its urban planning. The cityscape was divided into boxes that can be scanned in the google maps. The sky was grey with a tinge of blue reflecting the waves, Only a thin line tore the sea from the sky. Piles of black sea rocks descended toward the water to shrink the ripple’s force.
I saw the French residents stroll along the sandy paths, where the beach-view restaurants and lodges were set against the sea.
I took him to the Amarane Art Gallery. (Near Casablanca). The entrance had his display of awards and trophies, the gallery was flooded with watercolors, oils, pen arts by Amarane.
Then we visited the Sigaram shop, the French and Korean paints are sold along with multiple canvases, art brushes, pens, pencils, notebooks, and easels.
We headed to the all-time famous snack bar. Richy Rich. A variety of homemade ice creams were available here. It was 11: 00 A.M and the chairs were empty. It took quite some time to place orders cause the menu covered the entire wall with myriad names of sundaes, hard ice creams, super hard ice creams and ever diabetic-friendly ice creams! We ordered hot brownie fudge and hazelnut combo.
The hot brownie fudge smoked with dark sauce layered with a mountain of cashews over the volcanic ice cream on a warm brownie bed. His hazelnut flavored ice cream was swirled with Nutella that hypnotized us. We ordered a final baby-caramel crunch. I bided him it will be the best caramel he has ever had. His pupils dilated as the ice cream diffused with cracking crunches in his mouth.
Shalimar, a famous emporium for miscellaneous wood crafts, wind chimes, gifts, and souvenirs at affordable rates. I adored the clipped wooden bookmarks painted in cute designs and wooden jewel boxes sold here.
We encountered pop-ups exhibiting cheap fashion clothes, watches, bags with a decent quality. The street had sufficient snack-bars that offered hot samosas and different kulfis (chocolate, badam, pista and so on)
It was 3:00 P.M when we bustled to Café Xtasy for authentic French Wood fired pizzas. The teaming pizzeria was set adjacent to Nehru street. We were escorted to the rooftop. It was pleasing to view the branches spread over the buildings. We ordered Mr.Veg and a 65 chicken pizza (regular). The dish arrived slowly while we loosened ourselves at the moment. The Cheese jammed pizzas were mushy and juicy with a perfect thin wheat crust. Yummy!
It was 4: 30 P.M. when we departed from Pondicherry. The sun was mild as we roared past Kottaikuppam, ( a street of antique wardrobes, teak bed, handcrafted swings, and traditional furniture are for sale). It was busier so it required attentive driving.
It would be safer to reach home before the dark, as there were only reflectors on the road.
It was quarter past seven by the time we reached home exhausted but happy.
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