Dune Eco village, the lost Paradise.
But it does exist on the sandy beaches of KalapetIn route to Pondicherry.
With waves paddling down its beaches & the mighty Indian Ocean Stretching its arms
touching her day in and day out.
Resting 135 kms off Chennai on the famous East Coast road
the, 3 hours Road To dune is itself a treat to your eyes.
If you are an early traveler then you get the best of nature….
It all began when my niece called me from London & told me about her Seminar at the University in Pondicherry [SHE IS DOING DOCTRATE] This time I knew that the time had come for me to fulfill the long awaited Promise of a beach holiday I had made to my wife… ;)
With the tag of a traveler n Google uncle just a click away it’s not at all Difficult to plan one.
After surfing for a while n with the exchange of a few mails
The place n deal was done
5 Day with Dune Eco village were in offing
23rd morning we flew out of Delhi Reaching Chennai n from there We hired an Innova for The destination.
Folks avoid hiring one from inside d Airport, instead just walk out till the parking area n you will b saving big
[we paid 3500.00FOR AN A.C INNOVA]
By the time we reached Dunes It was already past Lunch time
but at The reception we were informed that arrangements were made If we wish to.
Baywatch Nature cooled hut was the kind of rooms I booked for us We were shuttled in their In-house Vans & in route the driver told us about the58 acres of the sheer beauty
As the name would suggest our cottages were just meters away from the Beach elevated well above the ground on stone pillars.
It was bamboo Floor tied up together, dried coconut branches n hay was used for the ceiling the washroom was quite plush n big
Interior of the rooms were kept light n plain reflecting the colonial era with Two beds [double n a cot] Dressing mirror, writing table n a sitting area just
outside the door the lay out was perfect a private lawn with hammock to laze
on N listens to the mystical sound of the crashing waves against the shore as if someone is Knocking at the door of Ur heart calling for you…
From d Cottage to the Gazebo shaped Restaurant the path was all Sand n pebble,
as it shud be the beauty of the place was Its natural surrounding with no
artificial effects given to the place...............
At times my soul still calls for me a die hard hill person I still remember n cherish those 4 nights,
One thing which we enjoyed the most during our Stay was the cycles they had provided bi-cycles for Inside tour n commuting cycle for kids and ladies were also thr……… .
I almost got my tummy disappeared in 5 days ))
Aise now it has bounced back lolss....
Next day we shifted to their other section called ‘The Courtyard’& with it came our own dog yes a Dalmatian was present at the Gates of the courtyard house to greet us for the
next three days that Loyal soul trailed us from the courtyard house to anywhere we went
He followed the kids like their shadow n remembered to stand in between The kids and the
threatening waves like a wall, as if he was braving the Wild waves & saying
you have to go over me to touch the kids…
Thank you Bongo we miss you…and Bhaktu misses you the most Dost!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The courtyard house is their three bed room villa Traditionally designed in true Tamil architecture
with tiled roof Sliding down in all directions.
The interiors were tastefully designed With top of the class luxury
all the rooms had king size bed huge Bathroom With Rain shower n bath tub made out of terracotta tiles.
The Attic with double mattress was adding to the cozy romantic times One would long for.
The night view from the sky light was so romantic sky With zillions of stars and the sound of the brushing waves was a blessing To the ears.
The Courtyard has a large open verandah with couches n an 8 sitter dining table
To just keep you near the nature they also had a small pool made in
the Verandah with pebbles fish’s n small crabsin the water
Mr. Dmitri Kline the owner of the property is a French man and An architect
by profession he is the Person behind the whole show From Architecture to land scapeing to planning trust me folks he knows his Business well
the hotel never serves anything which isn’t organic their Vegetables, herbs, Spice all of it they source all of them from their Other property The elephant Valley at Kodia kanal. Inside Dunes they have dedicated area for the Cattle a mini poultry & a 7 acres of field for vegetables…… with only 9 odd Baywatch cottages and 12/13 villas in 58 acres It, leaves a lot of space for you to move around.......
they have kid’s area with Swings n a pool for the kids
with a sea food bar over looking it Parents Cud savor from their lavish menu
while kids enjoying activates like potter Wheels shooting cycling or swimming
tell me who wud not want to Build a sand castle of their own))))
The lush green garden with habiscious and rare herbs all Around you and
the Swimming pool facing the shore was out of the World experience for all of us.
‘Head there with no one around’ is my idea of going to the beaches & I enjoyed that thru n thru
- I witnessed d sunrise n also seen It talking dive into the ocean))
For Baywatch cottage we Paid 5200.00/Day/Cottage on C.P [BREAKFAST ONLY]
For The Courtyard we paid 24000.00/Day on C.P [BREAKFAST ONLY]
[PLEASE NOTE THE COURTYARD IS THREE BEDROOM VILLA & WE WERE 6 ADULTS N 2 KIDS]
In N around Pondicherry town Aurbindo ashram Auroville Maitri mandir Gingee pichchavaram backwaters,
It is advised that you arrange for the vehicle for local sightseeing from the Hotel itself as commuting back cud be a problem during night time As Dune is almost 14 kms away from the main city
while going Back to Chennai do visit the Shore temple [WORLD’HERITAGE SITE] of mahabalipuram
