Pondicherry

In Search of the Past: Part 9: South to Pondicherry

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The Coromandel Coast of India. Doesn’t that sound romantic? It always did to me, a realm of spices, silks, and warm sea breezes. During the European colonial period, the two main ports were British Madras and, further south, French Pondicherry.  During World War II, my novel’s character traveled by train south along the coast to Ceylon. Eager to … Read more

In Search of the Past: On to South India, Part 8: Madras/Chennai

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Continuing my book research, we fly from Sri Lanka to the old British port of Madras, now Chennai. During WW2, my character arrived by ship in Bombay, then traveled by train across India and down the southeastern coast en route to what was then Ceylon.  Our hotel is Leela Palace, an elegant haven of art, … Read more