Pondicherry

The Gandhi monument at the waterfront
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When we arrived in Pondicherry, it was raining (apparently the first rainfall since November). It didn't really matter, though and at least it helped to cool us down after our extremely hot and sticky taxi journey.

We walked to a few of the budget accommodation places but everywhere seemed to be full. After becoming very hot, sticky and fed up with our backpacks, we caved in and ended up splashing out about ten pounds for a room in a smart business hotel. After a quick shower we were out in the rain again for a walk around town, a look at the port and at the French buildings left over from colonial times.

Business class in Pondicherry

A random temple spotted amidst the shops
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After the day's bus experience in Mamallapuram, we decided that the unreserved five hour bus journey to Trichy the next day probably wasn't the best idea so we spent a bit of time in the station and managed to book a train for the journey instead.

That night we had another excellent (and almost free) meal in a smart vegetarian restaurant. At no point did we have any idea what the things were that we were ordering or what the other things were that chef kept adding to our plates, but it was all delicious!