PONGAL - 2024
Unplanned moments have now become my preferred memories, especially when I think back to Pongal 2024. This time, we decided to spend the holidays in Pondicherry, and though it wasn't a novel or unconventional choice, the experience turned out to be refreshingly different. I've visited Pondy more than nine times in the past, but the company I had and the overall vibe this time made it truly enjoyable.
Our journey began on Day 1 at 7 AM as we traveled to Pondicherry via ECR in our diesel vehicle. The total expense, including fuel for the round trip and roaming within Pondy for three days, amounted to around 4000.
At 8:30 AM, we randomly stopped at Akka's Kadai for breakfast, and it turned out to be a mind-blowing experience, especially for those who appreciate South Indian countryside non-veg breakfast. The menu included simple items like Idly, Dosa, Egg Curry, Chicken Curry, Fish Kolambu, Omelette, and various other egg dishes commonly found in the streets of Chennai. The soft idlies paired with Fish Kolambu were a delightful combination, and the Omelette and Kalaki mixed with their chicken curry were unique and unmatched. The entire establishment is run by a group of women who use firewood for cooking, adding an authentic flavor to the food. For those traveling to Pondy via ECR, I highly recommend making a stop here for breakfast
Location: Karthiga Hotel
We booked our stay through Airbnb, which proved to be quite reasonable compared to other booking apps, with no additional charges or deceptive offers. We paid 5000 for a two-night and one-day stay in a service apartment, which was spacious enough to comfortably accommodate five members.
Location: RK Service Appartment
One thing that always come into mind whenever if we say Pondicherry means, Alcohol. Here are my personal favourite shops in Pondy to buy Liquors. They two shops have wide range of collections in Brandy, Whiskey, Wine and Beers.These shops have ample space for you to walk around and see the bootles present and available rather standing out and requesting the person inside to get your alcohols.
1. SG Wines:
This place truly has my heart. It's not just the extensive range of alcohols they offer; the staff there are kind, caring, and affectionate. They never hesitate to provide us with the rates of the alcohols neatly arranged on a rack. Moreover, they willingly educate customers about newly arrived products. For those unfamiliar with what to purchase, the staff guide you through the varieties, helping you select the one that suits you best. I witnessed this scenario unfold lively during my visit.
What sets this wine shop apart is the 'Buy One Get One' offer for Bira beer as a New Year special. When we planned to take some bottles to Tamil Nadu, we were discussing where to place them inside the car. Observing this, the staff approached us and offered guidance, ensuring we could easily navigate through any potential heavy police checks.
The exemplary customer service we experienced during our four visits truly warms the heart. As a token of appreciation, we offered a Pongal tip of 100 rupees to each and every staff member in the shop.
2. MG Wines:
This shop, situated in the heart of Pondicherry near Westside on Anna Salai, is renowned and widely recognized. It offers an extensive range of superior alcohol varieties, often being one of the first to stock newly released products and some rare finds in the market. If you happen to visit this place by car, parking directly outside can be challenging due to it being on a main road. Instead, you'll need to find a suitable spot in one of the cross cuts along Anna Salai near the shop for parking.
3. The Liquor Mall:
This shop is situated right at the entrance of Pondicherry. Aside from purchasing alcohol, a personal highlight for me is meeting Selvam Anna. He has a dark complexion, adorned with Gungumam and thiruneer, and always checks for potential inspections at checkposts to prevent any attempts to smuggle bottles out of Pondy. Though he's no longer in Pondy, the memories of our interactions linger.
On my second visit to Pondy, I bought alcohol from this shop with the intention of purchasing whiskey. I sought advice from Selvam Anna, and he shared a valuable tip that I continue to follow—to explore beers that are not readily available in Chennai. I vividly recall his words when we first met, 'Dei thambi, antiquity anga saptathu ilaya, beers try pannu anga, kadaikathathu ni inga vaa'. He warmly welcomed me into the shop, showcased the diverse range of beers, and introduced me to Blue Moon, which remains one of my favorite beers to this day.
3 Must Visit Pubs in Pondy:
Check out these awesome pubs we hit up – bursting with life, happening and always buzzing!
COSY - RESTOPUB:
This is the liveliest pub in Pondicherry, and it happens to be my favorite as well. With its rooftop setting, pleasant ambiance, and cool breeze, it creates an awesome vibe for enjoying drinks. The hookah tanks add a different dimension to the experience. The staff at the pub are kind and polite, enhancing the overall experience. Both the food and the DJ performances are top-notch, making it a go-to spot for me. My all-time favorite from their menu is the Watermelon Salad. Typically, they close by 12 PM and 11 PM for hookah sessions.
For entry, there's a stag fee of 700 rupees per person on weekdays and 1000-1500 rupees per person on weekends which are redeemable.
ZOUK:
TOAST CLUB AND KITCHEN:
The club remains open until 4-4:30 AM, and it's a popular spot among many foreigners. The DJ at Toast Club and Kitchen certainly knows how to bring the rave vibe to life. The dynamic ambiance, coupled with the DJ's expertise, resulted in a night filled with pulsating rhythms and high-energy vibes. However, it's worth noting that the stag rates can be relatively high, reaching around 1700 rupees on weekends and 1000 rupees on weekdays.
From now on, whenever I visit Pondy, this shop is going to be my go-to for side dishes. We stumbled upon this place right outside SG Wines. We colloquially refer to it as "Patti Kadai," where the prices are reasonable. Patti's Mutton Fry and Mutton Liver are must-try items, and in addition, Patti also offers Fish Fry, Chicken Tawa Fry, and various egg dishes.
Tired of drinking indoors or in pubs? There's an alternative – enjoying a drink by the beach at Eden Beach and Auroville Beach.
At Auroville Beach, you can't carry drinks onto the beach itself, but you're allowed to enjoy them in the designated premises where you park your car. The parking itself provides a beachside view. Both beaches boast outstanding seafood shops, with prawns and crabs being my personal favorites. When ordering fish, exercise caution, and if you're adept at selecting fish, consider requesting permission to choose from the freezer.
In the case of Eden Beach, find a spot in the Coconut Grove just opposite the car parking area to savor your drink. Bringing a spread or tarpaulin is advisable for a comfortable seating arrangement, along with a mosquito coil. You're also welcome to take the food you've ordered from the shop to your chosen spot.
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