Chennai and SAE SUPRA
July 2015
Chennai is hot and humid throughout the year, but this month might give you a
relief with heavy rain.
relief with heavy rain.
Language is major problem, sometimes locals don't understand English. But money talks and you will be able to manage.
Transportation :- don't take autos. Only then when in hurry for Train station. Otherwise book uber cab which will save 30% as compared to auto that even with air-conditiong
Public transport like local trains and buses are frequent and really good. You just need to use google maps app and select Bus section, it will automatically give you which bus route (number) you should take even for connecting routes. Buses are cheap, frequent but you only need to pronounce bus-stop name coherently.
To eat:-
South Indian food is good and healthy(Idli, Dosa). Just don't eat roadside, go in some nice and clean restaurant.
Cost is low and quality is good.
Sangeetha pure veg and Anand Bhavan pure veg are nice restaurants in Triplicane area.
To Stay:-
Image guest house, Triplicane. 2km from Chennai Central. Not a rated hotel but good to stay. ₹800 for a non-a/c room and ₹1000 for a/c room. This one is good or you can choose other from makemytrip or goibibo.
I would say, air-conditioning is must, due to hot and humid in day and rainy at night.
To visit:-
1.Government museum
Entry fee:- ₹15
And you get to spend whole day if you are really interested in museum and art.
I'd say one must visit this in Chennai.
Following sections are in six different buildings each of 2-3 floors.
•Archeology•Zoology
•Art gallery. With paintings of Raja Ravi Verma. There are 12 British paintings from 19th Century with original oil paint
•Sculptures. Hindu, Buddha, Jain. A.D. 10th Century. Some are even old from AD 150
•Chennai's cultural decorative items all are hand made of conch and shells
•Bronze gallery. AD 10th Century
This whole museum is seem to be national treasure with precious collection.
2.Fort St. George
Only two building are open for visitors, church and museum.
Museum consist of historical collection of Chennai when Chennai was Merged in India.
•Cannons. Mortars. Pistols and knives. Old dresses.
•Historical madras
•Coins. This was the main attraction for me. Indo-Portugese. Indo-Dutch. Tipu sultan's empire. Some were even kept which are available today as a collection
•Paintings
•Arms and armors
•Porcelain Dish and culinary
3.Marina beach
Longest beach of 13 km shore and even largest in width I have ever seen. From road you have to walk for 5 min. continuously to see the sea water. This happened due to Tsunami and playing and swimming at this beach is also dangerous due to steeper shore near sea water
4.Chepauk stadium
I have heard a lot about it for example, it's drain system as even due to heavy rain if the cricket game has been stopped, on this stadium it takes very less to time to drain the water and resume the play.
To get an entry you have to go on match day or you need a high profile person accompanying you.
5.Kapaleeswarar Temple
Address:- # 12, North Mada Street, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600004
6.Parthasarthy Temple
Address:- Narayana Krishnaraja Purim, Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600014
Temple is replica of famous Balaji temple in Andhra Pradesh. Quite big and just 3km from central
7. The Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram
50km from Chennai, worth one day trip or you can stay as well.
8. Anna memorial and MGR memorial
MGR is a receiver of Bharat Ratna, highest civilian award in India. These both memorials are near sea and kept side by side. One must visit due to its calm environment and garden.
9. Madras Motorsport Race Track
SAE Supra was hosted here, many more race events are also carried out.
Far away from city, around 40-45 km by Bus
Here public transport is good so take bus no. 25G from marina beach till Poonamalle then from Poonamalle take bus no. 554 or 576 till Sipcot(Hyundai Company)
The track is international SFI rated and well-maintained as compared to other in India.
