Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Although this is one of the better spots in Tamil Nadu to sink a beer, closing time is a de-
cidedly un-Gallic 11pm. Despite low taxes on alcohol, you'll really only find cheap beer
in 'liquor shops' or the darkened bars attached to them.
CAFE, BAR
L'e-Space
(2 Labourdonnais St; cocktails ?200, pancakes ?100; 5-11pm)
A quirky little semi-open-air upstairs
cafe that serves decent cocktails and where some people may be away on something other
than alcohol. Locals and tourists congregate here, and during the season it can be a social
traveller spot.
Shopping
With all the yoga yuppies congregating here, Pondy specialises in the boutique-chic-
meets-Indian-bazaar school of fashion and souvenirs, and there is some appealing and ori-
ginal stuff, quite a lot of it produced by Sri Aurobindo Ashram or Auroville.
Kalki
(134 Mission St; 9.30am-8.30pm)
Beautiful, jewel-coloured silk and cotton clothes, as well as
incense, essential oils, handmade-paper products and more, nearly all made at Auroville.
CLOTHING, ACCESSORIES
Fabindia
(
www.fabindia.com
; 59 Suffren St; 10am-8pm)
This shop has a good variety of silk, cotton and
wool clothes in Indian and Western styles, plus quality tablecloths and bags, predomin-
antly made by villagers using traditional craft techniques but with a contemporary feel.
The Fabindia chain has been in operation since 1960, and one of its selling points is its
emphasis on handmade products and promoting rural employment.
TEXTILES
La Boutique d'Auroville
(38 Nehru St; 9.30am-1pm & 3.30-8pm Mon-Sat)
It's fun browsing through the crafts here, includ-
ing jewellery, clothes, slippers and pretty wooden trays.
HANDICRAFTS
Hidesign
MAP
BAGS
GOOGLE MAP
