IV. Lot of impressions

Captain’s Log: Monday, 18 September 2017

Distance: Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry

It has been quite an exhausting day. Not only did we walk more than the other days, but we have been a lot in the traffic, and all the sounds and hectic and so on was a bit too much. But first things first.

We were able to sleep in a bit, since we had to come to the bus at half past nine. Then we drove, I think, about an hour southwards again, in which our tour guide told us a lot about the history and some facts of India. For example, English is one of the official languages of India, because they would not be able to understand each other otherwise. People from the southern Bundesländer cannot understand people from the northern ones, because they speak a completely different language. So English is the language spoken by almost all of them, just like in Europe. 

After some time we arrived at Auroville, where we stopped to have a look at the Matrimandir. For that, we had to walk about 15 through the nature, on which we first saw The Holy Tree or something like that.

I am so fascinated by this tree. They grow Air Roots, so roots that look like branches coming down. This tree was already so old that its air roots grew to the ground and became tree trunks themselves. So, it is one tree with like a dozen tree trunks! Over this way it can grow so big, because its branches have some sorts of stakes because of the air roots. I love that tree.

After it, we finally came to this:

It was a giant golden ball in the middle of the park. In it there is a round crystal which is illuminated by the sunlight, which comes in in a hole on the top.

It is supposed to be a place for concentration. Not necessarily for meditation though. 

The whole concet of Auroville is quite fascinating.

Unfortunately we did not have much time there, but I would have loved to walk around a little bit more there.

The next stop was our next hotel in the early afternoon, where we were able to rest a bit, before we had to get on the bus again, which brougbt us to an Ashram? A house where a Guru lives/lived.  We were not allowed to take pictures inside, but it was not that exciting anyway. On the contrary was the next point, the Ritschka Tour.

With those we drove a bit through Pondicherry, and came right into the Rush Hour, where parents pick up their children from school. So many motorcycles and motorrollers, and all were honking, and we were right in the middle of all of it.

We finally stopped at the Botanic Garden, where we walked around a bit, before returning to the Hotel by bus again.

Since we had still time left until dinner, we, Grandmother and I, decided to go searching for shoes for her and some confortable long, not too hot trousers for me. We had to walk now theough all the traffic, and I noticed again, they just seem to have no traffic rules. The ones who come from behind have to watch out and honk, but that was it. 

But we both found, what we wanted, even more than we wanted, but it was quite difficult to say “No” if they kind of throw their stuff on you. They were still very nice, and the things I bought were okay as well, but still, a bit strange.

Later, back at the Hotel again, I went to the rooftop. Unfortunately it was already dark, but maybe I am able to go up tomorrow morning as well, so that I can take pictures when the daylight is still there.

They have a swimming pool on the roof as well.

The dinner was not that good as in the last Resort, because we did not have a Buffet here.. I hope, we will have a Buffet in the next ones again.