Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Into the woods


This weekend Ken and I packed our bags and headed down south to the famed town of Auroville.
Auroville, as the name suggests, is like something straight out of a Dr. Suess book. It's filled with hippies, artists, and lots and lots of French people, all of whom call themselves "Aurovillians".

For the first time in 6 weeks I breathed clean air and ate a salad.

We stayed at the Gaia Gardens Guesthouse for $22/night (I'm continually baffled by prices here). Our room was beautiful and surrounded by ponds and gardens on all sides.


Ken befriended two Aurovillians back in April, so we were lucky to actually spend time with the local community. On Saturday we went to a candlelit birthday party and on Sunday we were invited to brunch at Johnny's treehouse in the woods.

This is Johnny.


This is brunch.


We also got to peek into one of the many handmade homes in the village. This particular one was renovated by Johnny's son and used to be a chicken coop/school house. The interior was breathtaking, complete with an indoor rain garden and stairs built by Johnny himself.

I felt like I'd accidentally fallen into Design*Sponge.


Needless to say, we didn't want to leave. It was an amazing weekend. And fingers crossed, we'll be returning very very soon.
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48 comments:

  1. looks like such a fun and beautiful adventure.

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  2. thank you :)
    yeah, me too!

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  3. Wow - there is not a lot more to say - what an amazing way to spend a weekend - time to breathe - what we all need x

    http://fashionandfrank.blogspot.com/

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  4. What an amazing place! Love your pictures!

    xoxoxo

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  6. Wow, amazing photos and stories! I've never heard of Auroville before, but it looks like something I would love to do. Hopefully you can go back soon!

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  7. nice photos :)

    letsgotonewyorkandhavefun.blogspot.com

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  8. when i saw the first photo, i thought it was painting - fooled me! Auroville looks beautiful, and for only $22/night?!? you can't beat that! i hope you get to go back soon!

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  9. absolutely breathtaking!! those interiors, exteriors & everything else! happy tuesday to you ;)
    xo ~ kristina

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  10. are those chipatis?! This place looks magical.. and that house! omg! :] Such a beautiful experience.

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  11. hollie they are dosas! although i think that's pretty close to chipatis.

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  12. danielle, that is so funny! and what a compliment :)

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  14. been in Chennai for 8 years and yet to hav ventured to that place. Such a waste I am, better late than never. Nice pictures, especially of Mr Kline on a tyre, very amusing :D

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  15. Beautiful...especially at $22 a night. :) And what an adorable baby butt picture. Seriously adorable.

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  16. This place looks amazing! $22 a night? Wow. They food must have been fun to try too! ~Val

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  18. That looks like such a gorgeous and interesting place! And what a bargain! The room is so beautiful, with those big windows :) I want to go there right now!

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  19. Hold the phone! 22 dollars a night! WOAH... heading there NOW! Its beautiful!

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  20. I LOVE DOSAS. and.. i love Dosa (the indian restaurant in SF.. anyone?)

    also, I am wondering if Johnny would like to be my pen pal? Or my extended relative of some sort? either will do, can you let him know? thanks :)

    glad you had a breath of fresh air this weekend!

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  21. WOW! This place looks incredible!! What an adventure! $22/night? GET OUT!

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  22. The hotel looks incredible! The house is breathtaking too :) I wish I could see this town! x

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  23. Wait, that used to be a chicken coop? Beautiful! Love your photos, especially that little bare bummed babe. I want to have brunch in a treehouse with a pet cow.

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  24. This place looks AMAZING! I hope you guys had a wonderful time exploring. That staircase that gets larger on the way up is just beautiful! Great photos!

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  26. I have been collecting photos for my "imaginary dream house that I will build one day on a huge plot of land in the mountains" and that tile floor is definitely going on the inspiration board!

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  27. this is amazing! looks like such a wonderful time- and you two look adorable! :)

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  28. Beautiful pics, you two must have had a great time.. and Johnny, he's wearing a turban.. nice

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  29. What a fun sounding (and looking!) town to visit! So glad that you had a lovely time ❤

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  31. that looks like such an interesting trip..and very restful in that simple kind of way.

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  32. Absolutely magnificent-glad you guys were able to get away! It looks restful and revitalizing-my favorite kind of trip!

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  33. my goodness, you guys are going to have so many awesome memories to look back on. a $22/night hotel and a weekend with cool locals, cannot top that.

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  34. Wow, that renovated home is beyond beautiful - I'm in love that the stunning tile design!

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  35. looove your blog! even a little adventure is a great thing to do! it's so interesting to read :)

    xxx
    Daria

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  36. this makes me want to go to india even more badly than i already do! must start saving... x

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  38. Such a charming little place.. full of character!!

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  39. Wow, unbelievable place, as you say that house with the stairs is just incredible. Love the photo of you in front of the sign too. The light there is so wonderful.

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  40. you have always been one of my favorites, but lately, your wit is off the charts! I giggle and ohh and ahh at nearly everything you share about this magical new life of yours.

    p.s. you rock a topknot something fierce.

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  41. looks like such a beautiful and therapeutic weekend!

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  42. i honestly think you've landed at the end of the rainbow! this is like a dream i'd never want to wake from. what scenery and people to observe and learn from. you are truly blessed lades. this journey is an awesome thing to get to share through your views. i do hope you get to return, many crossed fingers for you about that! ♥

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  43. Breathtaking is right! That home used to be a chicken coop?! Johnny looks interesting and his brunch looks very rustic. :) The entire adventure is giving me wanderlust.

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  44. Ok, Auroville is definitely on my list. The dosas look delicious, the people are inviting and the design is awesome. Hand-made homes...incredible.

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  46. What an amazing experience and for only $22/night!! That place is gorgeous and you took amazing photos (I'm especially smitten with that cute little baby bum :)

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  47. Whoa - that house is amazing! The stairs and tile are going in my "someday" folder. Oh, and I agree - that baby bum photo is so sweet.

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  48. I am blown away. Wow. You take awesome pictures and I love reading about your adventures in India.

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