Exploring Chettinad region in Tamil Nadu with CGH Earth Visalam, a boutique heritage property in Kanadukathan.
Category: South India
The Goodness of Strangers in Kerala
We may say we travel to see wide and varied landscapes and get enchanted by different cultures; but what we humans really seek are human connections. When we sit to recollect memories from past travels, we invariably remember unexpected stories of kindness from other humans we meet on the road. When Kerala Tourism got in…
Anecdotes from the Malabar Coast of Kerala
If memory serves me right, I made 3 trips to Kerala in 2017 and early 2018. Co-incidentally on all the trips, I had the chance to traverse across the historical Malabar Coast. The mind harks back to the unforgettable moments across some pristine beaches, backwaters, magical sunsets, and succulent biryani; among a vast plethora of…
Backpacking in Wayanad : Top Offbeat Experiences
After detailed explorations of the mountains in North India, I’d set my sights on slow travelling in South India. It was by pure chance that I started off with visiting the most popular state tourism-wise that side, Kerala. I’d arrived in Kochi and the need for some cold weather had automatically led me to the…
A Travel Guide to Pondicherry’s Attractions
Over the past few years of my travelling days, I had barely explored South India beyond the obvious and in 2017 I set about correcting it. It was the last week of September and I arrived at Chennai airport at the stroke of noon. I wanted to head straight to Pondicherry from the airport itself….
India’s French Colony : Pondicherry, A Photo Story
Almost two hundred years of French occupation have resulted in a distinct beautification of Pondicherry. The White Town area of Pondicherry is also known as the French Quarter and one could not be at fault if one thought of being in Montpellier or Bordeaux. Many of these structures in the French Quarter of Pondicherry are…
St. Francis Church, Kochi & India’s Colonial History
When I was roaming around the streets of Fort Kochi in the latter part of November, it was a mighty struggle with the humidity. This was my first time in Kerala and I was very excited to set foot in the state where ‘India’ was discovered! Kerala was the first port of call for the Portuguese,…
Food Heaven : Cafés & Restaurants in Auroville
After wandering the streets of Pondicherry for a day or two, I wondered if I should go to Auroville on a day trip or stay for a week. The recommended cafés and eateries in the White Town Area of Pondicherry had turned out to be duds and I was happier to go to small restaurants…
Danish Delight in India – Tranquebar (Tharangambadi)
I franctically tried to explain to the conductor and driver that we had come past the turn of Tharangambadi and that it was better that they drop me on the highway itself. I told them I will hitch a ride with some local and get to Tharangambadi (local Tamil name for Tranquebar). Even with the…
Mahabalipuram – Of Historical Sights and Beach Delights
Earlier this year, I had made a promise to myself; that I would make a conscious effort to explore more of South India. And come September; it was time to head to Chennai and then traipse across Pondicherry, Auroville, Tranquebar and Mahabalipuram (also called Mamallapuram.) Although I was drenched in sweat just after exiting the…