A voyage to the Exotic places in South India that unravel the most amazing parts of my country. A travelogue to capture the ‘Incredible India’ down South.
My visit to Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Kerala had begun. I had heard from my friends that people didn’t speak anything else but their local languages out there. That made me equally foreign to these lands as anyone else who came from any other country. To me, this was a challenge and a trip that would be monumental after I had completed it. With solitude on my side, I decided to explore over 17 superb locations in 15 days. With a Vernian, inspiration led me to ensure this journey went down in my books as the best one!
The journey of Exotic places in South India all started with Chennai. With a sultry atmosphere, one I hadn’t anticipated, I started my journey by heading off to Marina Beach. The warm, humid air in Chennai resembles the weather that I was used to during the summers in Mumbai. But, in winter, this humidity was about 20-22 degrees centigrade back home. The experience of going to Marina beach, travelling amongst the locals on the train, was something I could relate to. Very similar to our Mumbai Locals… Gave me content in the fact that our cities, despite the cultural differences, had a lot in common.
Birhadeeswara Temple, Thanjavur
Then there was Rameshwaram. The same island where the famous temple of Lord Rama, the mighty king from Ramayana. Here, an army of millions of apes (vanar-sena) built a bridge made out of floating stones.
This bridge was built to take the army across the borders of India to the Golden Empire of Lanka and wage an epic battle of great proportions against the demons of this kingdom.
Tamil Nadu certainly took a lot of my time and energy due to constant traveling in state transport buses in this rugged sojourn of mine. Whereas, my stay in Pondicherry was one of great relaxation and unwind. A visit that made me realize how time stood still and made me feel like a recluse of sorts in a land of the unknown.
The highlight of Pondicherry was tasting delicious food of various cultures dished out at the most amazing restaurants in town. From Chettinad food at the Apache Restaurant to French delicacies at the Le Café, Pondicherry was all about living life with the luxury similar to the tastes of most of the Europeans around.
The end of my expedition to Exotic places in South India. Travelling around, wandering like a nomad for 15 days. A feeling of bittersweet told me that my journey was over, just like the setting sun when I left Fort Kochi. Indeed at the end of that 15th day, I felt like Phileas Fogg, whose surmounting adventure had successfully come to a fulfilling end. One that I will cherish forever until I come back to soak it in yet again.
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