Sami's

Name – Pichavaram Mangrove forest Location – Near Cuddalore or Chidambaram Date of visit 26 th Dec 2017 How to reach Pichavaram, the second largest Mangrove forest, 1100 hectors in India ( Sundarbans  mangrove forest, one of the largest such forests in the world ), located in Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu, is approx. 65 kms and a 1.5-2 hour drive from Pondicherry  thro' East Coast Road (ECR) via Cuddalore. Route – Pondicherry/ Puducherry/ Pondy – Cuddalore – Pichavaram Mangrove forest Google map  is the best way to reach the fort base. Pondicherry - Cuddalore - Pichavaram Pichavaram  Mangrove Forest A mangrove  is a shrub or small tree that grows in coastal  saline  or  brackish water . Mangroves are salt tolerant trees, also called  halophytes , and are adapted to life in harsh coastal conditions. They contain a complex salt filtration system and complex  root  system to cope with salt water...

Name of Fort - Gingee Fort / Jinji Fort / Jinjee Fort/ Senchi Fort /  Senji Fort Location - Base village Gingee in  Viluppuram district of Tamilnadu  Trek level - Easy to Moderate (Needs lot of time 6-7 hours minimum as the fort is widely spread and divided into 3 hills) Date of visit - 27th Dec 2017 How to reach Approximately 30km from Tindivanam, the nearest rail head, and 40km from Tiruvannamalai. The fort is located on NH 77 Bengluru/Bangalore - Puducherry/Pondicherry(Pondy) road, Approx. 75 km from Pondy And 150km from Chennai. The highway has divided the fort complex in two parts. While going from Puducherry/Pondicherry(Pondy), right side of highway(North Side) you can see Krishnagiri (Ranigiri) fort, Left side of highway (South side)Chandrayandurg  fort and a bit ahead towards west is Rajagiri fort.  Pondicherry -  Tindivanam (NH-32) - Gingee Fort As it was a Christmas break for my husband and daughter, we had a 5 days wi...