This travelogue is going to be a short one. And we don't have any pictures this time around because my dear husband despises being photographed and sometimes he could become a grumpy goose at the sight of a camera. (:D On a funny note) So I decided not to take a camera along.
Ok. Here goes! Our trip to Chennai was a quick, short 2 day trip. We booked a serviced apartment/homestay through airbnb.com. I am sure most people are aware of Airbnb with a lot of us travelling abroad for projects, jobs etc. I will still make a small mention for those of you who are not aware of it. Airbnb is headquartered in California. It is an online marketplace that connects the hosts who rent out their properties with travellers and guests who are looking for a safe and convenient place to stay. .Every property is associated with a host whose profile includes reviews by users and other guests, government ID verification details and private messaging system.
Airbnb lists properties in many countries including India.
We booked 2 standard double bedroom - one with an extra bed. Before a room is booked, you can send an inquiry to the host on the airbnb website and he/she will get back to you with relevant details and ask you relevant questions. You will need to register yourself with an email ID for sending an inquiry. My host wanted to know our arrival/departure timing, so he could arrange for transport if need be. I relied on Google maps instead.
From Kochi to Chennai we travelled by train which was an overnight journey. We attended a family function and had one extra day with nothing to do. My parents wanted to go the famous vegetarian restaurant Saravana Bhavan. This restaurant has branches across the world and many parts of Kerala. If you are looking for a heart filling South Indian vegetarian fare, this is the best place to be. In Chennai, Saravana Bhavan has numerous branches, so depending on where you are located, heading off to the nearest one is the best option. Google Map was our best friend!! :D
Autorickshaw drivers in Chennai are brash. They asked us 2 to 3 times the actual meter fare every time we stepped out. So again, our best buddy was google maps. We insisted that the auto drivers went by the meter and we switched our gmaps on and directed the driver.
Express Avenue Mall - If you live in a city with lots of malls, this might not be all that important. For me, I lived in Bangalore and Hyderabad for many years and was spoilt by the choice of brands. I was a regular at stores like Lifestyle, Shopperstop and Westside. Now, I stay in Kochi (Cochin), where none of these stores exist. Well, Westside opened a little over a year ago in Lulu mall recently. So, an opportunity to go to a mall and shop in any city is something I take full advantage of - to stock up on daily wear clothes. EA (Express Avenue) is a good place to shop. Lots of brands, lots of stores like M&S, Fabindia, Westside, Hush Puppies etc.
Gist - Like you have heard a 100 times from friends and family, Chennai is HOT and HUMID. Carry your goggles, sunscreen, comfortable clothing, rubber bands for your hair, some face tissue and may be an umbrella. Hopefully next time, I'll have a longer trip to Chennai, explore more places and add to this blog.
Until Next Time! Autorickshaw drivers in Chennai are brash. They asked us 2 to 3 times the actual meter fare every time we stepped out. So again, our best buddy was google maps. We insisted that the auto drivers went by the meter and we switched our gmaps on and directed the driver.
Express Avenue Mall - If you live in a city with lots of malls, this might not be all that important. For me, I lived in Bangalore and Hyderabad for many years and was spoilt by the choice of brands. I was a regular at stores like Lifestyle, Shopperstop and Westside. Now, I stay in Kochi (Cochin), where none of these stores exist. Well, Westside opened a little over a year ago in Lulu mall recently. So, an opportunity to go to a mall and shop in any city is something I take full advantage of - to stock up on daily wear clothes. EA (Express Avenue) is a good place to shop. Lots of brands, lots of stores like M&S, Fabindia, Westside, Hush Puppies etc.
Gist - Like you have heard a 100 times from friends and family, Chennai is HOT and HUMID. Carry your goggles, sunscreen, comfortable clothing, rubber bands for your hair, some face tissue and may be an umbrella. Hopefully next time, I'll have a longer trip to Chennai, explore more places and add to this blog.
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