The weather is crazy, hot afternoons, cold nights, I am told its the desertisation of the world that we are feeling, whatever the cause, my allergies have come back in full swing, couple that with incessant tensions at work and a Molotov cocktail was ready. We needed a break so decided to drive down to Pondy for 2N/3D and booked my first vacation with Zest as a member. That in place, till the night of March 8th we were so busy, didn't know whether we could really go, but then we decided what the heck, the problems will still be there when we come back, so lets go...The Log
Distance to Pondy - 296kms
Distance to Zest Big Beach on Cuddalore Road from Pondy - 13kms
Route taken - Bangalore - Hosur - Krishnagiri - Utharangai - Chengam - Thiruvannamalai - Tindivanam - Pondy - Zest.
After Krishnagiri toll booth go over the first flyover then stay left next to the second flyover and turn left on to Chennai road, after half a kilometer or so, take the first right to Pondicherry.
Total Distance Done - 706kms
Day 1 - 09/03/2011
After a hot cup of coffee and carrying a flask of cold coffee for a cooler en route, we left at 6.30am and after a brief stop at A2B for breakfast at 8am, we were on NH66 after moving off NH7. From here on we got the feeling we were travelling on the surface of the moon, the craters on the road were huge and so many that it wrecked all timing. Marvelling at some roadside 
sculptures like the Durga and a statue a very 'blue' Ambedkar (what happened? fell into a pot of 'neel'?! we bumped along these 
bad roads, if you can call it that for about 70kms till Chengam, then the road improves and after Thiruvannamalai, once again it is very good. Thiruvannamalai is the capital of Shaivism and is one of the four sacred abodes for Shaivites. The significance of this place is that by mere remembrance of Lord Arunachaleswarar at this place gives salvation to all souls.
48kms after Thiruvannamalai we stopped to have a look at the Gingee fort. Apart from being a unique architectural feat it is one of the few forts in the State. Tamil Nadu is famous for its temple architecture, whereas Rajasthan is well known for its forts and palaces. In this context, the existence of Gingee fort in itself is a landmark architectural event in Tamil Nadu. The town of Gingee is surrounded by several hills made of barren volcanic rocks. Each of these hills has a very jagged summit and a central stratified rock, topped with huge rounded boulders. Even though the land is dry and barren the landscape of Gingee is unique and marvellous. The hills around are devoid of vegetation except for a thick growth of thorny shrubs and the fortifications of Gingee stand on three such hills.The three hills form the angular points of a rough equilateral triangle. A huge rampart,
about 60 ft. in thickness and a ditch about 80 ft. in breadth encloses the entire space, going all around it. The walls are built of strong blocks of granite. This massive enclosed track forms the lower fort. It is three miles in perimeter and has two main entrances piercing it, namely, the Arcot or Vellore gate and the Pondicherry gate. The fort of Gingee has existed for several hundred years; several ruling dynasties are connected with the history of the fort, including Vijaynagar Maharajas, Shivaji Maharaj, Nawabs of Arcot, Tipu Sultan, the French and British. However, the legend of the fort is most popularly connected with the story of Raja De Singh, perhaps the only Rajput ruler to rule Tamil Nadu. The ballads about his courage and valour, his devotion to duty and his loyalty to his friends, are sung even today in the villages around Gingee. Equally famous is his horse that has been buried in Gingee close to his master. The character of Raja De Singh is reminiscent of the stories of Maharana Pratap of Chittoor and his horse Chetak.
There also is a community of Gingee Muslims who are quite unique. They are the descendents of the early Mughal army commanders. Their ancestors originally came to India along with the first Mughal emperor Babar. They continued to serve Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, and Shahjehan but fell out with Aurangzeb. The story of their estrangement with Aurangzeb is as follows. Very early in their rule, in India, the Mughal emperors realised the importance of maintaining peace and friendship with the Rajput kings and making strategic alliances with them. As a result over a period of time the Mughal kings started marrying the Rajput women. Humayun married a Rajput princess. Akbar's wife and Jahangir's mother, Jodhabai, was the sister of a famed Rajput Commander Man Singh. This was emulated by not only the future kings, but also by their courtiers and army commanders.The community of Urdu speaking Muslims that settled in Gingee belonged to this category of military personnel. They had been the products of mixed marriages. They were Muslims, per say, but due to their maternal influences were observing many Hindu customs and celebrating Indian festivals like holi, diwali and so on. All went well till the reign of Shahjehan. However, from the time Aurangazeb came to power the whole scenario changed. The liberal and secular minded Mughal commanders were issued a warning, with immediate effect, or were to face the consequences. The leaders of the community did not tolerate the change and in the pitch of darkness they escaped from somewhere around Meerut in UP where they were then stationed.They offered their services to Shivaji, the archenemy of Aurangzeb. Shivaji was only too happy to enroll them in his army and utilise their services against Aurangzeb. It appears that Shivaji's empire at one point expanded up to Gingee. The legendary Raja De Singh, a Rajput King, could have been his vassal. It appears that when the Muslim Chieftains of Deccan owing alliance to Aurangzeb attacked Gingee, Shivaji sent a contingent of Muslim commanders loyal to him to help Raja De Singh. After they won the battle they were offered jobs in Gingee to stay on and protect the fort. Since then they have settled there and some of them have moved to the city of Madras and are important members of the community. One Mr. Choudury possesses the family tree showing all their ancestors and tracing their migration from North to South.
Distance to Pondy - 296kms
Distance to Zest Big Beach on Cuddalore Road from Pondy - 13kms
Route taken - Bangalore - Hosur - Krishnagiri - Utharangai - Chengam - Thiruvannamalai - Tindivanam - Pondy - Zest.
After Krishnagiri toll booth go over the first flyover then stay left next to the second flyover and turn left on to Chennai road, after half a kilometer or so, take the first right to Pondicherry.
Total Distance Done - 706kms
Day 1 - 09/03/2011
After a hot cup of coffee and carrying a flask of cold coffee for a cooler en route, we left at 6.30am and after a brief stop at A2B for breakfast at 8am, we were on NH66 after moving off NH7. From here on we got the feeling we were travelling on the surface of the moon, the craters on the road were huge and so many that it wrecked all timing. Marvelling at some roadside 
sculptures like the Durga and a statue a very 'blue' Ambedkar (what happened? fell into a pot of 'neel'?! we bumped along these 
bad roads, if you can call it that for about 70kms till Chengam, then the road improves and after Thiruvannamalai, once again it is very good. Thiruvannamalai is the capital of Shaivism and is one of the four sacred abodes for Shaivites. The significance of this place is that by mere remembrance of Lord Arunachaleswarar at this place gives salvation to all souls.48kms after Thiruvannamalai we stopped to have a look at the Gingee fort. Apart from being a unique architectural feat it is one of the few forts in the State. Tamil Nadu is famous for its temple architecture, whereas Rajasthan is well known for its forts and palaces. In this context, the existence of Gingee fort in itself is a landmark architectural event in Tamil Nadu. The town of Gingee is surrounded by several hills made of barren volcanic rocks. Each of these hills has a very jagged summit and a central stratified rock, topped with huge rounded boulders. Even though the land is dry and barren the landscape of Gingee is unique and marvellous. The hills around are devoid of vegetation except for a thick growth of thorny shrubs and the fortifications of Gingee stand on three such hills.The three hills form the angular points of a rough equilateral triangle. A huge rampart,
about 60 ft. in thickness and a ditch about 80 ft. in breadth encloses the entire space, going all around it. The walls are built of strong blocks of granite. This massive enclosed track forms the lower fort. It is three miles in perimeter and has two main entrances piercing it, namely, the Arcot or Vellore gate and the Pondicherry gate. The fort of Gingee has existed for several hundred years; several ruling dynasties are connected with the history of the fort, including Vijaynagar Maharajas, Shivaji Maharaj, Nawabs of Arcot, Tipu Sultan, the French and British. However, the legend of the fort is most popularly connected with the story of Raja De Singh, perhaps the only Rajput ruler to rule Tamil Nadu. The ballads about his courage and valour, his devotion to duty and his loyalty to his friends, are sung even today in the villages around Gingee. Equally famous is his horse that has been buried in Gingee close to his master. The character of Raja De Singh is reminiscent of the stories of Maharana Pratap of Chittoor and his horse Chetak.There also is a community of Gingee Muslims who are quite unique. They are the descendents of the early Mughal army commanders. Their ancestors originally came to India along with the first Mughal emperor Babar. They continued to serve Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, and Shahjehan but fell out with Aurangzeb. The story of their estrangement with Aurangzeb is as follows. Very early in their rule, in India, the Mughal emperors realised the importance of maintaining peace and friendship with the Rajput kings and making strategic alliances with them. As a result over a period of time the Mughal kings started marrying the Rajput women. Humayun married a Rajput princess. Akbar's wife and Jahangir's mother, Jodhabai, was the sister of a famed Rajput Commander Man Singh. This was emulated by not only the future kings, but also by their courtiers and army commanders.The community of Urdu speaking Muslims that settled in Gingee belonged to this category of military personnel. They had been the products of mixed marriages. They were Muslims, per say, but due to their maternal influences were observing many Hindu customs and celebrating Indian festivals like holi, diwali and so on. All went well till the reign of Shahjehan. However, from the time Aurangazeb came to power the whole scenario changed. The liberal and secular minded Mughal commanders were issued a warning, with immediate effect, or were to face the consequences. The leaders of the community did not tolerate the change and in the pitch of darkness they escaped from somewhere around Meerut in UP where they were then stationed.They offered their services to Shivaji, the archenemy of Aurangzeb. Shivaji was only too happy to enroll them in his army and utilise their services against Aurangzeb. It appears that Shivaji's empire at one point expanded up to Gingee. The legendary Raja De Singh, a Rajput King, could have been his vassal. It appears that when the Muslim Chieftains of Deccan owing alliance to Aurangzeb attacked Gingee, Shivaji sent a contingent of Muslim commanders loyal to him to help Raja De Singh. After they won the battle they were offered jobs in Gingee to stay on and protect the fort. Since then they have settled there and some of them have moved to the city of Madras and are important members of the community. One Mr. Choudury possesses the family tree showing all their ancestors and tracing their migration from North to South.
So, after having seen a grand example of temple architecture typical of Tamil Nadu and a fort too, which is not so typical of Tamil nadu and marvelling how we are actually living through ancient history everyday so nonchalantly, we drove on and entered Pondy at 1pm, had lunch at 
1.30pm at Vels Restaurant, on Cuddalore road, at the turning to Zest Big Beach which 3kms from there towards the sea and then reached the resort at 2.30pm. Had our welcome drink and then checked into Room no.107. Despite my best efforts to stay awake to watch the India - 
Netherlands Cricket match, the cool AC and soft pillows just lulled me to sleep. Woke up around 6pm and after tea, a swim in the infinity pool we returned to the room for a drink and snacks. Settled down to watch the match, had dinner, read for a while and crashed out for the night, pleasantly tired.
Day 2 - 10/03/2011
Had a leisurely breakfast and left the resort at 10.30am and drove along the Corniche, White Town, the Ashram etc. Since this was a trip to relax we didn't bother to do any sightseeing. We ended up at Canal Street, a leftover from the French days, and parked the car at Nehru Street and strolled along languidly doing some window shopping along this and Mission Street. By this time, the heat and hunger drove us to have lunch at the Don Giovanni restaurant another relic from the 80s which served a simple buffet to the background of Wham! and George Michael crooning 'Careless Whispers' - a throwback to our college days. Nice relaxed meal in a cool AC room, no frills but then also reasonably priced at Rs.77/head. We then returned to the resort after buying some milk and curds, both very essential in summer.
Had a comfortable siesta. Having been at the resort several times, this place is as familiar as home. Spacious rooms with a lot of moving around space, a large comfortable bed ith sink-into pillows, they are a pleasure. I particully love the reading lights. All amenities like the fridge, AC, tea/coffee maker with a modern bathroom make the stay very pleasant. But having said that I want them to work out a better luggage rack and storage cupboard, the current nook is highly insufficient. 
Plus a table in the room would be nice, the easy chair from the bygone era adds a nice touch of homeliness. The log table and chaies on the patio overlooking the dense greenery is nice for a cuppa. All in all a beautiful resort sprawling over 24acres, with a large pool, landscaped gardens, a nice glazed restaurant Sea Shellz, a well stocked bar with a bar tender who is wannabe Tom Cruise from 'Cocktails' - remember the movie, is cute. Staff are helpful, 
smiling and make the break worthwhile.
Evening after the swim, we strolled up to the beach and chatted for a long time. had a lovely dinner at Sea
Shellz and strolled the lawns listening to the roar of the sea and watched the sprinklers trying to 
make their presence felt too with tiny squeaks!, the resort is large on luxury and big in heart. The name Zest Big Beach is very apt. We have been going for over 2 years now and the upkeep and maintenance have remained good. Keep it up Club Mahindra!
Day 3 - 11/03/2011
Left the resort at 9am after a good buffet breakfast and were surprised to see the mist -
apparently the night temperature had fallen to 16deg (unheard of in Pondy!) and the temperature difference between day and night had brought this effect (desertization.....remember!?). We got caught in the office traffic in Pondy and lost half hour straightaway...well, then zoomed through to Thiruvannamalai and screeched to a bump, stop, waddle across till Uthangarai. Stopped for a roadside lunch of packed food and continued on to reach Bangalore at 4pm. Wheezing through Bangalore traffic, we reached home at 5pm.
All said and done, it was a good couple of days and our decision to buy a Zest membership in addition to Club Mahindra membership was more than vindicated!
1.30pm at Vels Restaurant, on Cuddalore road, at the turning to Zest Big Beach which 3kms from there towards the sea and then reached the resort at 2.30pm. Had our welcome drink and then checked into Room no.107. Despite my best efforts to stay awake to watch the India - 
Netherlands Cricket match, the cool AC and soft pillows just lulled me to sleep. Woke up around 6pm and after tea, a swim in the infinity pool we returned to the room for a drink and snacks. Settled down to watch the match, had dinner, read for a while and crashed out for the night, pleasantly tired.Day 2 - 10/03/2011
Had a leisurely breakfast and left the resort at 10.30am and drove along the Corniche, White Town, the Ashram etc. Since this was a trip to relax we didn't bother to do any sightseeing. We ended up at Canal Street, a leftover from the French days, and parked the car at Nehru Street and strolled along languidly doing some window shopping along this and Mission Street. By this time, the heat and hunger drove us to have lunch at the Don Giovanni restaurant another relic from the 80s which served a simple buffet to the background of Wham! and George Michael crooning 'Careless Whispers' - a throwback to our college days. Nice relaxed meal in a cool AC room, no frills but then also reasonably priced at Rs.77/head. We then returned to the resort after buying some milk and curds, both very essential in summer.
Had a comfortable siesta. Having been at the resort several times, this place is as familiar as home. Spacious rooms with a lot of moving around space, a large comfortable bed ith sink-into pillows, they are a pleasure. I particully love the reading lights. All amenities like the fridge, AC, tea/coffee maker with a modern bathroom make the stay very pleasant. But having said that I want them to work out a better luggage rack and storage cupboard, the current nook is highly insufficient. 
Plus a table in the room would be nice, the easy chair from the bygone era adds a nice touch of homeliness. The log table and chaies on the patio overlooking the dense greenery is nice for a cuppa. All in all a beautiful resort sprawling over 24acres, with a large pool, landscaped gardens, a nice glazed restaurant Sea Shellz, a well stocked bar with a bar tender who is wannabe Tom Cruise from 'Cocktails' - remember the movie, is cute. Staff are helpful, 
smiling and make the break worthwhile.Evening after the swim, we strolled up to the beach and chatted for a long time. had a lovely dinner at Sea
Shellz and strolled the lawns listening to the roar of the sea and watched the sprinklers trying to 
make their presence felt too with tiny squeaks!, the resort is large on luxury and big in heart. The name Zest Big Beach is very apt. We have been going for over 2 years now and the upkeep and maintenance have remained good. Keep it up Club Mahindra!Day 3 - 11/03/2011
Left the resort at 9am after a good buffet breakfast and were surprised to see the mist -
apparently the night temperature had fallen to 16deg (unheard of in Pondy!) and the temperature difference between day and night had brought this effect (desertization.....remember!?). We got caught in the office traffic in Pondy and lost half hour straightaway...well, then zoomed through to Thiruvannamalai and screeched to a bump, stop, waddle across till Uthangarai. Stopped for a roadside lunch of packed food and continued on to reach Bangalore at 4pm. Wheezing through Bangalore traffic, we reached home at 5pm.All said and done, it was a good couple of days and our decision to buy a Zest membership in addition to Club Mahindra membership was more than vindicated!
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