Susweta Biswas

A Complete Guide to Pondicherry

September 3, 2019September 4, 2019 by suswetabiswas, posted in Travel

Pondicherry or Puducherry, also referred by some as Pondy, is a Union Territory and has the perfect French vibe mixed with Tamil culture. The place is so bohemian and chic and the French part of the town is lined with colonial-style houses most of which have entrances draped in bougainvillea.

The things that I am going to cover in this post are –

Things to do in Pondicherry
Cafes and restaurants in Pondicherry that you should not miss
Where to stay in Pondicherry?
Getting to and around the town
How much can a trip to Pondicherry cost?
What is the best time to visit?

Things to Do in Pondicherry

If a laid-back vacation is on your mind, then Pondicherry definitely fits the description. But the beaches here have scope for indulging in activities like surfing for those who seek a bit of adventure. But here are some of the things that you should definitely put on your list if you are going to visit this pretty place –

Explore White Town because it is so aesthetic and you will simply love walking in the streets after 4 pm when the Sun is not so harsh.
Visit the Promenade in the evening or you can also go there early in the morning and watch the sunrise. (We didn’t really make it there in the morning but we enjoyed our evenings at the Promenade. You can simply sit on the rocks and enjoy the soothing sound of the waves crashing on the shore. And don’t be sad if you missed the sunrise because the sunset is beautiful too.)
Visit the Our Lady of Angels Church. DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT MISS this one at all because this church is just so pretty with its pink and mellow yellow coloured architecture.
Visit the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. This church was near to the place we were staying at and we passed by the church a lot of times but didn’t really had time to go inside. It is so beautiful from outside and I’m definitely going to take a closer look the next time I visit Pondicherry.
Visit the Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple. This temple is so colourful but unfortunately we went there around 3 pm and it was closed. So, I’m not sure whether it has any particular timings or not.
Take a day trip to Auroville. But if you want to go inside the Matrimandir, you will have to take permissions at least two-days prior to your day of visit.
If you want to learn surfing, then Serenity Beach is where you should go. We went there just to check it out but unfortunately it was too sunny and so we didn’t stay for long.
You can also visit Paradise Beach. We didn’t get time to go there but our Airbnb property manager had advised us to as it is supposedly pretty. So, you can go there if you want to.
Other places that you can visit are the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, French Memorial and the Lighthouse (which stays open to visitors from 3 pm to 5 pm). We really wanted to check out the Lighthouse but instead ended up not going because we were feeling a bit under the weather.

Cafes and Restaurants in Pondicherry That You Should Not Miss

GMT Ice Cream or Gelateria Montecatini Terme – This place is a legit heaven for all gelato lovers. There are tons of flavors to choose from and the price is reasonable too. And you know what the best part is? It is right on the Promenade. Who doesn’t love gelato while enjoying the beach?
Baker’s Street – You definitely need to come here for breakfast during you stay in Pondicherry. We ordered a Club Sandwich, a Chicken and Olive Quiche and a Chocolate Eclairs. I would suggest you to have the last two because they taste so good and they are all freshly baked. The eclairs is available in Vanilla flavour as well.

Chocolate Eclairs at Baker's Street (Rs 80) — *Chocolate Eclairs at Baker’s Street (Rs 80)*

PY Cafe – This cafe is my favourite one among all the others we visited. Not only do they have the cutest decor but they also have delicious food and board games. The place is located on Mission Street. They also have a bar which is super cute as well. We ordered an Iced Latte with Ice Cream ( Rs 230 ) and Summer Cooler ( Rs 120 ) from the drinks section. The Iced Latte was good but the Summer Cooler was okay-ish. From the food section, we ordered Calamari Rings ( Rs 250 ) which they make in beer batter and they were literally so tasty that I alone could have had it all. We also ordered Chicken Satay ( Rs 240 ) and this was good too but the Calamari had literally left such a lasting impression and anything else seemed bland.

Here are the drinks…

And here is the food…

The Smoothie Bar – This place has smoothies with real fruit inside it and not any syrups or flavorings. They also have a simple food menu in case you are hungry and want more than just smoothies.
Coromandel Cafe – The food here is not anything special and it is definitely overpriced too but the old-world charm of their decor and the entire vibe is amazing. We ordered a pizza and it was a thin-crust one. It definitely tasted good but was not anything special.

Crepe in Touch – We had our breakfast here on our second day in Pondy. This place is known for its crepes and for good reason. We ordered some Cold Coffee and an Ouessant (which is a crepe having sauteed mushrooms and is their absolute specialty and it is priced at Rs 230). They also have a store along with the cafe.

The Indian Kaffe Express – If you ever feel tired or are in need of some refreshments while exploring White Town, then this cafe can provide you with some good options. It is located close to the Our Lady of Angels Church.
The Pasta Bar Veneto – We went here for dinner and it is safe to say that their menu is simply endless and has something for everyone. If you love French cuisine then this is one place that you should not miss. We ordered Virgin Colada (Rs 200) , Polpette Chicken (minced chicken patties priced at Rs 245), Ravioli di pollo con pesto (Rs 365) and Pollo Ripieno (chicken breasts filled with minced chicken, onions, bell pepper, basil and mushroom priced at Rs 385). We also ordered Tiramisu della Casa (Rs 185) from the desserts.

Les Saveurs – We ended up spending an hour and a half at this cafe. Basically we didn’t really have any heavy food for breakfast and we were very hungry by the time it was noon. We clicked a few pictures and decided to skip the rest of the plans and stay at this cafe and I didn’t regret this decision at all. This place has quite affordable dishes and all of them were equally great. We wanted some comfort food and so we began with French Fries and the amount of fries they served for Rs 150 was way more than what we get in Kolkata. After that, we also ordered Tequila Shrimps (Rs 390) and Chermoula Spiced Chicken Tender (Rs 260). The latter one was not that good according to my preference in food but the shrimps were too good and I would definitely recommend you to have that.

Sky Garden – This is legit one of the best rooftop restaurants in Pondy but the place was quite crowded when we reached. We had to wait for about 15-20 minutes to get a table but it was worth it. We just ordered a BBQ chicken pizza (which was of 10 inches and priced at Rs 369). Overall, the food was good but what I loved the most was the windy rooftop dining experience.

Escape In – On our last night, we were craving for some North Indian food and we found this restaurant called Escape In on the Promenade. We didn’t really expect much but the place really surprised us with its food. In case you decide to come here, do order the Butter Chicken because it was quite different (more on the sweeter side) and I loved it. Moreover, you can get a direct view of the sea if you decide to sit in the balcony. The only thing that we didn’t like was the slow service.

Where to Stay in Pondicherry?

I would definitely suggest you to stay either on Mission Street or in White Town. White Town is closer to the beach whereas Mission Street is where you will have to come for hiring your Scooty or bike or even some street shopping.

We booked an Airbnb which was on Mission Street and we even had a terrace all to ourselves. I have left the link to the property we stayed in below but before that, if you want to book an Airbnb as well, use my invite link to create an account. Click here.

What’s in it for you? Well, you will get Rs 2200 off on your first home booking and you will also get an additional Rs 825 off when you book an experience amounting to Rs 3300 or more.

But remember, if you already have an account on Airbnb, you will not be able to use this link. So once you have signed up, you can book your desired property. Click here to get a direct link to the property that we stayed in.

Getting To and Around the Town

By Air: We didn’t book a direct flight to Pondicherry because it was twice the flight price to that of Chennai. So, we decided to take a direct flight to Chennai and then we took a bus to Pondy.

By Train: You can also book a train to either Pondicherry or Villupuram (approx 40 kms from Pondy). Not all trains go till Pondy so in case you do not get a direct train, you can book a train till Villupuram and then hire something from there. Though I’m not sure but I have heard that you can even get buses from Villupuram to Pondicherry.

By Road: The drive to Pondicherry is quite scenic as you literally drive on the coastal highway. So, if you are up for a scenic drive, then you can rent a car and go all the way till Pondicherry.

Getting Around: If you are staying in Mission Street or White Town, then you can cover the entire place on foot because walking on the streets of White Town is anyway a beautiful experience. But the more convenient way is to rent a Scooty/bike or you can even rent bicycles for that matter. You can find these shops on Mission Street. We didn’t really have to rent our bike ourselves because the property manager at our Airbnb was so good that he offered to do it for us and even got us a discount. Normally they can charge you anywhere between Rs 300-350 for a day (This price is for Activa. The price will vary with the model of the vehicle).

Note: You definitely need to have a license because the police officers usually identify who the tourists are and they will demand to check your license. You are also supposed to get one complimentary helmet with your bike. So, even if the shop doesn’t give you, you need to demand for it otherwise you might get fined (saying this from personal experience).

But the funny thing is, the locals don’t use helmets and yet they don’t get fined. XD

How Much Can a Trip to Pondicherry Cost?

Travel expenses are mainly of three types – Accomodation, Food and Transport.

Accommodation: The place that we stayed at costed us Rs 1600 per night (inclusive of tax).

Food: If you choose the cafes and restaurants properly, then you can easily get a good meal for two at Rs 500. Pondicherry has plenty to budget places to eat which are high on aesthetics as well.

Transport: As already mentioned before, you can get a Scooty for Rs 350/day max. The rest of the transport cost will depend on how you choose to arrive in the town.

Overall, a trip to Pondicherry is not a costly affair. You can easily spend a week here without breaking the bank.

What is the Best Time to Visit Pondicherry?

Pondicherry has a pleasant weather in the months of August and September and it does not receive that much of a heavy rain like the other parts of India. But if you want cooler temperatures then you should visit in the place in the winter months of November to January.

Have you visited Pondicherry? If yes, then I would love to know about your experiences as well. Comment down below your thoughts on the blog and don’t forget to ask me any questions that you may have.

11 Places to Visit in Delhi

November 2, 2018August 30, 2019 by suswetabiswas, posted in Travel

Hey guys,

Hope you all are doing fine. I know I am putting up a post after quite a gap mainly because I was not well. But if you follow me on Instagram (follow me for updates if you don’t already) then you’ll be knowing that I have just returned from my trip to Delhi, Agra and Jaipur with my parents and today I am going to discuss with you all the places that you can visit in Delhi. To be honest Delhi is just packed with so many historical monuments and other touristy places, that you’ll need at least a week to explore them all properly. But I had only 4 days among which one was a National Holiday and so all the tourist spots were very much crowded and we couldn’t explore much. So, here I’ll speak about the places that I was able to visit and I’ll also mention the places that I couldn’t (but they were on my list) and you should definitely try them out if you are going to Delhi.

1. Red Fort

Red Fort is probably one of the first places that everyone visits on their trip to Delhi. It is not only an architectural wonder but it also has a whole lot of historical significance attached to it. The fort is made from red sandstone and that is how it got its name. Like most places in Delhi, the Red Fort remains closed on Mondays. If you want pictures with no people in it, you’d better visit the place as early in the morning as possible because the place usually remains crowded. We sort of woke up late that morning and reached the Red Fort somewhere around 8:30 ish in the morning and it was bustling with people (more because it was a National Holiday). You should visit the place earlier for a better experience. One thing that I really loved about the place is that it is really very well-maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.

The Red Fort also has a light and sound show which starts at 6pm. The show has separate tickets and you can avail these tickets online too. We couldn’t watch the show due to lack of time but I have heard that it is really good so if you have time, you can give it a try.

As you enter through the main gate there, you will encounter the Chhatta Chowk Bazaar adjacent to it. This is a small market but I would advise not buying anything from here because they will charge you more. The bazaar opens after 9am.

Red Fort 1 — Gate to the Chhatta Chowk Bazaar

The intricate carvings on the inside of the domes are truly beautiful.

At the end of the bazaar is the Naubat Khana or the drum house.

After this, you will come across buildings like the Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Mumtaz Mahal, Moti Masjid and many others. But we could enter only the Diwan-i-Aam as rest of the buildings were undergoing renovation.

2. Jama Masjid

The Jama Masjid is actually adjacent to the Red Fort so you can visit these places one after the other. You will get many autos and tuk-tuks outside either of the monuments which you can avail. There are three gates to enter this huge mosque and you can use either of them. The courtyard is known to accommodate 25,000 people at the same time.

Jama Masjid Gate — One of the Entry Gates to Jama Masjid

To enter the courtyard, you will have to take your shoes off and also cover your shoulders if you are wearing any sleeveless tops. So, it is better that you wear proper clothing from beforehand otherwise you will have to take the same dupatta that everyone is using and the people over there will charge a fee too. And regarding your shoes, you can either keep them outside for which you will be charged a fee ranging anywhere from Rs 10 to Rs 20 per pair. Or you can also carry your own shoes in your hand or in a bag of your own.

One of the minarets of the Jama Masjid is open to people from the top of which you can get a bird’s eye view of the city but you’ll have to get a ticket for it. We didn’t have that much time so we didn’t climb the minaret. There is no fee for entering the mosque.

3. Qutub Minar

The Qutub Minar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the minaret stands at 73 meters tall. The minaret also holds the record of being the tallest minaret in the world.

Apart from the Qutub Minar, the Qutub Archaeological Complex has several other structures of historical importance like the Iron Pillar, Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, Alai Minar, Rajon Ki Baoli and many more. The complex is huge and you must go there with some time in your hand if you want to visit all the structures in it.

4. Lotus Temple

The Lotus Temple is really awe-inspiring and its foundation is based on Bahai faith. Photography is not allowed inside the temple. The entry to the temple is free and you will also be given a sack where you have to open your shoes and carry along with you. The crowd is handled in a very orderly manner and a short introduction to Bahai faith is also given before entering. Speaking inside the prayer room is strictly prohibited. We went there at about 4pm and it was heavily crowded. If you want a more peaceful experience, I suggest going there early in the morning.

5. Akshardham Temple

The Akshardham Temple is the largest temple in India and its beauty cannot be described in words. Photography is completely prohibited inside and so I cannot show you how beautiful it is. In fact, before you go inside you’ll have to take a form and then fill up all the details of your belongings and then submit your things along with the form at the baggage counter. You will be given a token for the same. You can just take your purse inside and nothing else. After that, a separate security check is also done. The entry to the temple is free but if you want to see the various shows that are held, you’ll have to get a separate ticket. The inside of the temple is just magnificent. Every dome has a different design carved inside it. The complex is very much well-maintained and they also have a lovely food court inside.

6. Agrasen Ki Baoli

You have probably seen this place in various Bollywood movies like Sultan and PK. It is a historical stepwell and is also a casual hangout place for today’s teens. The place usually remains crowded.

It has a total of 108 steps and you are actually allowed to go all the way down unlike many other stepwells in India which have been closed. The place is quite close to Connaught Place.

Agrasen ki Baoli1 — Agrasen Ki Baoli from the last step

7. India Gate

The India Gate is the largest war memorial and it was constructed in the memory of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the World War I fighting under the British Army. The wide expanse surrounding the India Gate makes the structure look even more imposing and huge. Straight across this place is the Rashtrapati Bhavan or the President’s House and you can visit both of these places at once. There are several autos who are taking tourists to and fro between these two places. This place is open on all days and since most of the places are closed on Monday, you can visit this place if you happen to be in Delhi on a Monday.

8. Safdarjung’s Tomb

The Safdarjung’s Tomb is known to resemble the Humayun’s Tomb very closely. The only difference is that this one is much smaller in size. The place is open till 6:30 in the evening and usually remains empty. So, if you want some great photographs with no people in them, try visiting this place.

Safdarjung's Tomb1 — A closer look at this beauty

Amazing architecture — Amazing architectural symmetry

Lawn — View of the lawn surrounding Safdarjung’s Tomb

9. Purana Qila

Purana Qila is located in Indraprastha. The ramparts of this fort are very old and this place has a vibe about it which will give you goosebumps. The fort is basically quite open since many of the ramparts have fallen down so new construction is going on to make the entry area better.

I know that many people omit Purana Qila from their list of places but if you love old places, then you should definitely not miss this one out.

Purana Qila inside — Magnificent arches inside

You will get many antique doors and I don’t know about you but I just love old doors. Although it was very sunny and it is kind of evident from my expression as well. XD

Antique doorways — Antique doors which are really huge

10. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib was actually the residence of Raja Jai Singh. Later on, it was converted into a gurudwara. The ambience of the place is what I loved the most and you will get a vibe of spirituality the moment you enter. I didn’t take my camera when I went there as photography is prohibited so I don’t really have pictures. The place is open in the evenings as well and you can also volunteer for doing some work here.

11. Sulabh International Museum of Toilets

Yes, it is a strange concept indeed to make a museum of toilets but then why not? The museum is not visited by many people but the collection is really huge and worth giving a visit. The theme is the history of sanitary development throughout the world. The museum is maintained by Sulabh International.

So, these are the places that I was able to visit but there are many more and I really regret missing out Humayun’s Tomb because it is really a beauty. Apart from that the museums of Delhi are very famous like the National Museum and the National Rail Museum. If you are interested in art then you should visit the National Gallery of Modern Art as well.

Some other places that I missed are Jantar Mantar and Lodhi Gardens. But, I definitely want to visit these on my next trip to Delhi.

If you have any questions, leave them down in the comments below and I will answer them all. And don’t forget to pin this post on Pinterest if you love it and follow me on Instagram and Facebook for more updates.

6 Ballygunge Place

September 21, 2018August 30, 2019 by suswetabiswas, posted in Food

Hey folks,

Hope you all are doing fine. The weather is perfectly rainy (that is if you are fond of monsoons) and it is just the perfect time to go for a sumptuous lunch. Well, I chose 6 Ballygunge Place and I went there with my parents. Bengali cuisine is something that even most non-Bengalis like and 6 Ballygunge Place is a heaven for Bengali culinary delights. The name is nothing new to anyone who is from Kolkata as the place is considered as one of the best legendary restaurants in the city.

Location

6 Ballygunge Place, as the name clearly states, is located at Ballygunge Place and is very well accessible by all public transports. The restaurant can also be easily spotted. The place is located at just a walking distance from the Ballygunge Phari bus stop. The place is not really in close proximity to any of the metro stations but if you want to know anyway, then Jatin Das Park is the nearest metro but you’ll eventually have to take something else from there.

Ambience

The place has a traditional Bengali touch to it which is evident from these pictures. I particularly loved their decor, especially the way they created a perfect reflection of Bengali culture. They have a banquet hall too which you can book for special events. And they have separate rooms of buffet and a la carte menu. There is something that I would want to say over here. If you are willing to go for the signature dishes or the special dishes, then you should preferably go for the a la carte because the buffet doesn’t include everything they have on the menu. But you can also check it for yourself once you reach the place.

Food

No matter how much I appreciate the food of this place, it will never be enough. I personally love Bengali food, and if you love it too, then you will definitely love this place. If you see the menu given on Zomato you will get confused so I will advise you to look up the menu on their own website. I have included the link over here for you:

6 Ballygunge Place

Here you will get the full range of menu exactly as given on their menu card.

From the starters we ordered the Murshidabadi Grill Pomfret (Rs 250). Now I am a person who loves fish but then I don’t like the ones which have too many bones in them. XD And from that point of view pomfret is my favorite fish and I totally loved this dish as well. The aroma was amazing and the grill was just perfect.

Once you turn the page of your menu to the main course section, you will see that the menu is divided under subheads like prawns, crab, bhetki, rohu and so on. Well, their hilsa or ilish is quite famous but then again as I told you I am not a fan of too many bones (although I love ilish when Ma takes the trouble of separating the bones for me), we didn’t go for it. We ordered Dab Chingri (Rs 525) which is again one of their signature dishes. The amount served is enough for three people. The specialty of this dish is that the prawns are roasted inside of a tender coconut which lends it a special aroma. You must definitely try this dish if you happen to visit 6 Ballygunge Place.

We also ordered Kasha Mangsho (Rs 440) from the Mutton section of the menu. We had ordered this on their recommendation as they said that this is also a specialty of theirs. But to be honest I didn’t find it that much special maybe because I love the way the Awadhi mutton is cooked and I love that more. But anyways, you can give it a go if you want but I felt it was more or less like any other Kasha Mangsho I have ever had. And it is a bit spicy too. We ordered one Radhaballavi (Rs 25 each) especially because I love any meat recipes with some kind of bread and you have to believe me when I say it, their Radhaballavi is huge and not like the ones we usually eat. So for Rs 25, I’d say that’s a lot. You’ll definitely figure that out from the picture below.

Dab Chingri, Kasha Mangsho and Radhaballavi

We ordered Moori Ghonto (Rs 190) too and this is a traditional Bengali recipe that is made with the head of fish, rice and they had also given potatoes. The fish that was used here was Rohu or Rui. And from the rice section, we ordered two Kaju Kismis Pulao (Rs 215) and it was enough for three people. The pulao has a sweet flavour and we personally love that so we went for it but if you don’t want a sweetish dish you can go for their other rice dishes.

Well, this was the first time that I was so much immersed in all those tasty recipes that I completely forgot to take the Pulao’s picture separately so I guess you all have to do with just this one. In the end, we ordered the Chutney of the Day (Rs 85) and it was a tomato chutney with raisins and dates. One chutney is enough for three to four people. But then again, I forgot to take a picture of this too. Once you are finished they will also give you a bowl of hot water to wash your hands in.

In short, if you are planning for a lunch date with your family or friends, you can choose 6 Ballygunge Place without any doubt.

Pros

The menu has a wide variety of dishes for both veg and non-veg.
The food tastes delicious.
The price is not too high as is the case with most legendary places.
The quantity of food is beyond any doubt enough.
The behavior of the staffs is very welcoming.

Cons

Well from my experience, there was none.

Summary

Food Quality – 5/5

Food Quantity – 5/5

Ambience – 5/5

Hospitality – 5/5

Price – 5/5

You might feel that I am exaggerating with the ratings, but if you visit the place anytime later, you’ll know why I feel that everything is perfect.

Do let me know about your experiences and comment down below.

– Susweta.

The Irish House

September 1, 2018August 30, 2019 by suswetabiswas, posted in Food

I had recently visited The Irish House at the Quest Mall and I cannot wait to share my experience with you all. Like many restaurants and pubs, you cannot use a DSLR camera to click pictures of the interiors but yes, food photography is allowed. So, I have been able to capture some pictures both with my camera and my phone so that you all can get a clear idea of what you will be getting.