Our ultimate destination today was the Arapetta Tea Factory. Before setting out, we had another delicious and colourful breakfast! We found a path that ascended quite high from our homestay to give us panoramic views of the mountains. On the opposite side of the valley, we saw the location of the 2024 landslide. Triggered by … Continue reading / view photos Arapetta Tea Factory
Author: Praful
Exploring around the village
The day started with another massive breakfast. I asked for toast and was able to use my Marmite. After yesterday’s long day being driven around Wayanad, we stayed on foot today. There was a path from the homestay that steeply descended from our 800m starting point. We decided to explore it without knowing where it … Continue reading / view photos Exploring around the village
A day tour around Wayanad
The day started with a huge breakfast! Neither of us like to waste food. So, we end up eating everything in front of us. Then we’re very full up. We’re going to have to tell them to cut back on the food! Our homestay hired their normal taxi for the day. He took us to … Continue reading / view photos A day tour around Wayanad
Aranyakum Homestay
Helene got the sleeper train from Thiruvananthapurum (Trivandrum) to Kozhikode (Calicut). She arrived about 6.30am. I went to the station to meet her. After freshening up, we ordered a taxi for the 2½ hour journey to Wayanad. We’d booked to stay in this traditional guesthouse, Aranyakum Homestay. During the car journey, we had a few … Continue reading / view photos Aranyakum Homestay
Last day in Chennai
I finished my novel, Butter, during breakfast and donated it to the Auroville bookcase. During breakfast at my Auroville guesthouse, this white, translucent spider was looking at me. I started to take a photo. Suddenly, the spider disappeared. I looked at my phone. It had jumped onto the back of it! I shook it off … Continue reading / view photos Last day in Chennai
Last tango in Auroville
I met Christiane, my Belgian friend and long-time Aurovillian, for lunch at the organic Solitude Farm. Their open-air vegan restaurant was recommended to me by several people. I don’t know why I hadn’t come earlier. The food was fresh and delicious. We also ordered some taster “flower” drinks. Christiane couldn’t stay for dessert. I ordered … Continue reading / view photos Last tango in Auroville
Sadhana Forest
Several people had recommended going to Sadhana Forest. There are organised trips on Fridays. I’d missed the last one and would not be around for the next one. I messaged them. They said they do tours every day and I could just turn up! When I woke up, this was in my bathroom: I had … Continue reading / view photos Sadhana Forest
Martial arts and folk music
Lorenz, my German friend, told me of a fair taking place on the Auroville campus. I took an auto there. It was filled with stalls selling locally made handicrafts. There was food too. I hadn’t had breakfast. So, I bought a basic meal. Then someone said the martial arts display was starting! Everyone moved to … Continue reading / view photos Martial arts and folk music
Film, dance, and music
After the morning visit to the Matrimandir, I asked the bus driver to drop me off at the Auroville Town Hall. On the Auroville campus, they have an Auroville Card. It’s a card you top up with money. This is used for payment at various places. I registered at the Town Hall to get one. … Continue reading / view photos Film, dance, and music
Inside the Matrimandir
I had an early start to see inside the Matrimandir. I turned up at the Visitor Centre. There were about forty people. We saw a film about the building of the structure. Its purpose was to provide a place for concentration. It took about 90 minutes to get transport and hand over bags, cameras, and … Continue reading / view photos Inside the Matrimandir