Pondycherry : A solo travel experience

I've heard my friends telling that going on a solo trip is boring and all. I wouldn't lie, it can be boring if you always find yourself surrounded by people or if you are an extrovert. But if you are not much of an extrovert or you would love and cherish some time you get to spend on your own like me, read on. This might give you that push needed to execute that long-pending solo plan. Obviously plan now and travel later when the world is back to normal.

Though I can go on and on about being brave and going alone to places unknown, I always had that hesitation. Doubts whether it would be worth the efforts or whether I can come back safely. The list of doubts could go on. But then one fine day, I pushed myself off the edge and the tickets were booked. As expected, it was not welcomed by my parents and I suppose that would be the case with any parent as the risks in such a trip is many(at least that's what the perception is). But the situation was somehow managed by plotting my ultimate master plan. So here are my tips for your first solo travel experience.

1. Choosing your destination

Though there are a lot of places where you can do a solo, I'd suggest you choose a place where you can manage on your own with language at least. Thus, even if you get stranded or get confused at times help is at a hand's distance. You've decided to step out of your comfort zones! Let's take it one step at a time. I chose mine as Pondicherry, the amazing beach town with its own stories from the history and a fair share of spirituality. I am not a pro in Tamil and people will still laugh at my Tamil, but I was confident that I could manage my way around with whatever I know.

2. Setting the master plan for your destination

I'm not usually of the "let's stick to the plan" type. I like it partially planned. So, you have decided on your destination. Now even though you've decided the place make an idea about the places and their relative locations. You can see which places you can cover in the same day. Decide just that. If you are assigning strict timelines, chances are that you could end your day with disappointment. You've chosen to push your comfort zone with the decision of solo travel push it a bit more by adding some uncertainty into that.

My main intention of going to Pondicherry was to do some cliché stuff. Riding a cycle in the French colony, sit on the beach doing nothing. But I can't do these kinds of stuff the entire day! So, day one was a try to cover the places far away from the city. Auroville and Paradise beach. And whatever else I can cover in between these two. The second day is the city tour. No specifics but this is the day I'll be riding through French colony and do whatever I can within the city.

3. Deciding your dates

You can't just go on forever on a trip! I won't do it! Anything without a break can make you feel monotonous and that's not good. So, do it with breaks. Now you know where you are going and what are you going to do there! That's good. Time to choose your days! See if the place you are going to has some special occasions and try to align your dates with that. Make it a memorable one. I choose my dates to align with Pongal, not deliberately though but because of the long holidays. But it added a golden feather to the trip. A morning walk in the streets with all the "Kolams" was an amazing experience.

4. Choosing your transport

I'd suggest two-wheelers with necessary safety measures. But choose as per your comfort. Especially when you are in Pondicherry, how can it be a complete one without a snap of a Vespa parked on the colourful streets! So, for me, it was a Vespa for day one and a cycle on day two. Make no mistake, I'm no fitness guy. It's just that I wanted to try it.

5. Experiment all you can

Being once a colony, Pondicherry had a variety of cuisines to try out. You eat your meals every day. Why not try something different! If you were staying at big resorts all these years of travel, try a hostel this time. It comes in cheaper rates also (I was not staying in a hostel though during my trip. Because I didn't have much knowledge about them at that time).

6. Live every moment you have there. At the end of the day, you've spent so much time and money on this getaway.

Do all the things you ever wanted to do on your trip. Explore the place. Go through roads less travelled. Try something new. Read books in a peaceful cafe. The list can only grow! As for me, I walked all I can, cycled all I can, took out google and went in search of an archaeological site "Arikamedu". Though unsuccessful in finding it (turned back as my odds of finding it diminished as I went further), I was riding through villages, tracing the banks of canals and backwaters. I had spent time reading my kindle in an amazing cafe in the French colony; Indian Caffe Express. Tried some French Cuisine at the new banana cafe. Grabbed all the teas from small tea centres. Took my time to stare at the skies lying down in the crowded Bharathi Park and got a breathtaking birds-eye view of the city from up the new lighthouse.

“Go quietly, alone; no harm will befall you.”– John Muir

Exploring a place on your own can benefit in a lot of ways to your personal being. You leave all your worries behind. Because, when you know that you are on your own, realize that in these areas you have to take care of yourself, you become vigilant, tend to concentrate on the moment, and you become more observant.

My Pondicherry plan in short:
Day 1
* Sunrise from Rock Beach
* Auroville
* Auroville Beach
* Auro Beach
* Go in search of Arikamedu
* Paradise Beach
Day 2: City tour
* Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple
* Aurobindo Ashram
* War memorial
* Puducherry Beach
* Bharathi Park
* Light House
* A walk on the promenade beach

And a few pics to give you a glimpse of my travel: