Chennai, the largest metropolitan in South India, is home to the largest number of two-wheelers in the world (not sure if that is true, but that is the word around and is visible too). Gifted with the longest beach sea shore by miles, Chennai offers a wide range of activities for people who don't fear to sweat it out. There are three climates in Chennai, hot - hotter - hottest. The sun beats down on to you for 11 out of the 12 months in more or less the same fashion. Heat, sand and sweat, the right mix for people who fancy the sand and the surf kind of life.
The MTC (metropolitan transport corporation, www.mtc.org) has introduced air conditioned Volvo busses on 40 important routes which encompass most of the city. The MRTS system at Chennai also is very effective so it is not a problem to get around economically. My personal advice to people is that they look at the Google maps (or any map of Chennai) and get a rough idea of the directions in Chennai before getting there. Getting around in taxis and autos can be really expensive if you do not know the language. However, you have pre-paid taxis available at the airport and the railway station.
There are a lot of things to do in Chennai, but my favorite was to hit the surf. Although Marina beach is the most famous beach in Chennai, Elliot's beach and the entire stretch of sand spanning along the ECR (East Coast Road) from Chennai to Mammallapuram (Mahabalipuram) is a treat. Luxury to budget resorts dot the coastline for all its 47 kms. You will also find these open air government run bars which serve most kinds of alcohol that you can imagine. The best places to visit thought would be 10 Downing Street in T Nagar, and the pubs in 5-star hotels. And yes, if you love the dosa, visit one of the many Sarvana Bhavan outlets in Chennai - including the one at Chennai Central station.
A tip to business travellers who would be working close to the IT highway in companies like HCL, TCS, CTS, Wipro, Infy et al, the shared autos that run on these routes are very safe and inexpensive - Sholinganallur to Adyar will cost you a mere 15 bucks in the day and 20 bucks in the night. You will also find accessibility to most parts of Chennai on the AC Volvos like 21H which goes from Kellambakam to Broadyway, 19B which transcends Kellambakam to T Nagar and 570 which travels from Kellambakam to CMBT. All these routes span the entire IT highway. Getting on to ECR is easy at Sholinganallur, a 2 kms chord road connects the IT highway (OMR) to the ECR. There are some really decent 3-4 star hotels on this way right from ITC Welcome Group's Fortune, Asiana and the Hotel Quality Sabari Classic from the Choice group of hotels.
People fond of eating can hit the ECR or head to Adyar, Boat House Road or T Nagar for a treat. Sea food joints across Marina beach serve inexpensive local varieties of squids, crabs, fish, octopus and muscles.
For now, I would end this here though there would be more soon on my subsequent trips to Chennai.
The MTC (metropolitan transport corporation, www.mtc.org) has introduced air conditioned Volvo busses on 40 important routes which encompass most of the city. The MRTS system at Chennai also is very effective so it is not a problem to get around economically. My personal advice to people is that they look at the Google maps (or any map of Chennai) and get a rough idea of the directions in Chennai before getting there. Getting around in taxis and autos can be really expensive if you do not know the language. However, you have pre-paid taxis available at the airport and the railway station.
There are a lot of things to do in Chennai, but my favorite was to hit the surf. Although Marina beach is the most famous beach in Chennai, Elliot's beach and the entire stretch of sand spanning along the ECR (East Coast Road) from Chennai to Mammallapuram (Mahabalipuram) is a treat. Luxury to budget resorts dot the coastline for all its 47 kms. You will also find these open air government run bars which serve most kinds of alcohol that you can imagine. The best places to visit thought would be 10 Downing Street in T Nagar, and the pubs in 5-star hotels. And yes, if you love the dosa, visit one of the many Sarvana Bhavan outlets in Chennai - including the one at Chennai Central station.
A tip to business travellers who would be working close to the IT highway in companies like HCL, TCS, CTS, Wipro, Infy et al, the shared autos that run on these routes are very safe and inexpensive - Sholinganallur to Adyar will cost you a mere 15 bucks in the day and 20 bucks in the night. You will also find accessibility to most parts of Chennai on the AC Volvos like 21H which goes from Kellambakam to Broadyway, 19B which transcends Kellambakam to T Nagar and 570 which travels from Kellambakam to CMBT. All these routes span the entire IT highway. Getting on to ECR is easy at Sholinganallur, a 2 kms chord road connects the IT highway (OMR) to the ECR. There are some really decent 3-4 star hotels on this way right from ITC Welcome Group's Fortune, Asiana and the Hotel Quality Sabari Classic from the Choice group of hotels.
People fond of eating can hit the ECR or head to Adyar, Boat House Road or T Nagar for a treat. Sea food joints across Marina beach serve inexpensive local varieties of squids, crabs, fish, octopus and muscles.
For now, I would end this here though there would be more soon on my subsequent trips to Chennai.
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