Ladies Day Out At Pichavaram Get Away

After two months of meticulous planning and buzzing anticipation, the day for our ladies-only picnic to Pichavaram finally arrived. Seventeen of us, all married women in our 30s and 50s, assembled at St. Thomas Mount Orthodox Church in Puzhuthivakkam at 5:15 AM. This outing, akin to a Mother’s Day out, offered us a rare chance to escape the daily grind of household chores and work commitments, providing a refreshing change. As one of us jokingly said, “A day out without husbands and kids? We must’ve won the lottery!”

In preparation for the day, we packed our bags with delicious snacks, refreshing drinks, and an assortment of items to make our day unforgettable, which included personal water bottles with hot/cold water, juice, towels/tissues, hand sanitizers, face wash, sunscreens, moisturizers, combs/mirrors, caps, and sunglasses.

We started our journey at 6:00 AM. Our first stop was near Puducherry for breakfast, where we fueled up for the day ahead. Despite the nearly four-hour journey, none of us felt tired. The van was filled with laughter and chatter as we enjoyed singing, playing Antakshari, exchanging snacks, and even a bit of stand-up comedy from our very own talented group members. It felt reminiscent of the lively camaraderie of the Manjumel Boys, but thankfully without any accidents!

From Chennai to Puducherry, we managed smoothly on our own. Beyond the union territory we had our trusty escort Vichu (Vishwanathan), a person from Cuddalore with extensive connections in both Pondy and Cuddalore. From an NGO, he was well-versed with the region, which allowed us to just sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey without any worries.

Upon arriving at Pichavaram, we were greeted by the breathtaking sight of the mangrove forests. The verdant expanse, interspersed with serene waterways, was nothing short of mesmerizing. It felt like stepping into another world, far removed from our daily lives and responsibilities. Blessy, who found exploring the backwaters akin to “stepping into another world,” couldn’t have described it better.

The Pichavaram mangroves, one of the largest mangrove forests in India, were an eye-opener for many of us. The intricate network of waterways and the lush green canopy above provided a stark contrast to our urban environment. We learned about the crucial role these mangroves play in protecting the coastline from erosion and providing habitat for diverse wildlife. Our guide explained the delicate balance of this ecosystem and the importance of conserving such natural treasures. It was a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of nature and the impact of our actions on the environment.