Exploring My Incredible India – Chapter 7

As I narrated in my earlier writing, Pondicherry has been my longest halt throughout my expedition. Along the way, I came up with things I would want to share with my readers who may plan to trip across. The best part about this journey – neither was the destination or the route planned, my itinerary was certain on the go resulting in glitch little here and there.

As I explain it as PROS:
1. You volunteered to be on your own, so act accordingly.
2. You learn how to get things done by yourself. Resolving problems in a completely unknown place, surrounded by new people will boost your confidence.
3. It is a challenge worth taking for further life lessons.
4. Greet new faces, relish the culture, and make new friends.

And some CONS:
1. Not having a plan can end up in the wrong places. Needless to say, it could be unsafe.
2. Language can become a barrier.
3. Your vehicle may start complaining and you might find no help nearby (Luckily I didn’t face any in this trip but one may not be fortunate at a given time).

Keeping all the above things in mind I must say, I had my best travel experience so far. I regret none. But while heading back from Pondy, I was utterly drained with no penny & empty petrol tank. Yet I repent nothing about the trip.

A place like Pondicherry is a must-visit at least once, but as a traveler – a seeker, an urge to explore the city its culture & the warmth people carry around. By space, it may appear too tiny, but getting along the street & their nature of society is so much at ease even when you hardly understand their language. Because of Auroville, you will find many comrades who also come from different countries. Amongst some are planning to settle here.

Did you know, Aurevillian believes in one nation? I believe the life inside Auroville is so joyful and caring humans, that it makes the place so magical and peaceful.

When I realized that I’ll soon fall short of money I fetched a temporary job to survive. Of course, I was looking for a better opportunity side by side to get going. One of my friends from Mumbai Shefali joined me here and we planned for Rameshwaram-Kanyakumari. We planned to start early in the morning as usual. Another Couchsurfing friend Shiv from Pondy itself also joined us but in his car.

Our journey got thrilling even before we crossed the Pondicherry check post when heavy rain started pouring and our journey got delayed for about one and a half hours so we took the east-coastal route to reach Rameshwaram. The first 80 km road was very bumpy, later got better. We stopped a couple of times for refreshments on the way and around 2:30 PM we reached the famous Rameshwaram Bridge. And I took out my mobile camera and the rest is understood. After loitering around we headed towards Dhanushkodi.

I always knew that I’m an orophile. But Rameshwaram changed my taste for beauty. While riding on the road to Dhanushkodi mesmerized me. I was completely spellbound and honestly, words can’t suffice what my eyes witnessed then. I still get goosebumps over the memories.

From Dhanushkodi you can hire a shared van to visit the edge of the country border. Before we started for the sightseeing, I had to refuel myself, as food is amongst the basic requirement. I, Shefali, and Shiv got in a van with other passengers, and the journey over sand starts. There is a village as well to roam around. Though at that time, it was completely destroyed by the Tsunami and thanks to Local Tourism which is now a more popular tourist spot for that matter. (The bitter fact of life).

We came back to town by evening. Shiv went back to Pondy that very night and we took a hotel to rest ourselves. Having decided to visit Former President A.P.J Abdul Kalam’s House the next morning, unaware of the fact that the hotel we were resting was just next to the sea line. We crashed post-dinner as we had a long tiring day also knowing the following day to be busy and on toes. We woke up to bemoan over missing out on the spectacular sunrise from our room, especially when today is the day we are leaving the town.

Why couldn’t we extend our day? While we were on the road to Rameshwaram, I got the email to join my new job in Navi Mumbai. So, the bad part is Rameshwaram was my last place in the South India trip. Yes, I couldn’t go to Kanyakumari, also had to skip the sunrise in Rameshwaram.

A rider always enjoys the ride no matter what the destination is. Its the road that gives you the experience and story to share about the journey, not the destination. So that was the end of this chapter.

You will soon hear on my following writing about an interesting journey to Aamchi Mumbai, a city that will never let you sleep as it never lets you stop dreaming, My Next Chapter – Pondicherry to Mumbai.

Watch the video here.