India (Frommer's, 4th Edition) - Keith Bain [266]
Chennai
Airlines Phone numbers you may need are: Jet Airways ( 3987-2222, or airport 2256-1818); Spice Jet ( 1800-180-3333 or 098-7180-3333); Kingfisher ( 1800-233-1131 or 1800-1800-101).
Ambulance For an ambulance, dial 102. Or dial Apollo Hospital ( 1066 or 2829-3333). Apollo Hospital’s location on Anna Salai may be the most convenient.
American Express The American Express office is at 501 Spencer Plaza, Anna Salai; open Monday to Friday 9:30am to 6:30pm; Saturday 9:30am to 2:30pm.
Area Code The area code for Chennai is 044. For directory inquiries dial 197; time in English 174; change of telephone number in English 1952; 24-hour information service 4444-4444.
ATMs There are numerous ATMs around the city; ask your hotel concierge or driver about a machine near you.
Banks & Currency Exchange There are a large number of foreign exchange dealers; again ask your hotel concierge, host, or driver. Note that most are closed on Sundays.
Bookstores Higginbothams (116 Anna Salai; 044/2256-0586; daily 9am–7:30pm) has a great selection of books as well as Indian music. Landmark (3 Nungambakkam High Rd./M.G. Rd.; 044/2827-9637 or 044/2823-7438; daily 9am–9pm) is said to be Chennai’s largest and most popular bookstore; it also has a selection of music, stationery, and other items, but the loud popular music piped through the speakers can be unnerving.
Car Rentals Avis is at 1/24 GST Rd. ( 044/2234-4747). See “Getting Around Chennai,” above.
Drugstore Located on the second floor of Spencer Plaza (769 Anna Salai) is Health & Glow ( 044/5205-6013; Mon–Sat 9am–8pm, Sun 11am–7pm). Alternatively see under hospital below.
Embassies & Consulates U.K.: 20 Anderson Rd.; 044/5219-2151; Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4pm. U.S.: 220 Anna Salai; 044/2811-2000; Monday to Friday 8:15am to 5pm. New Zealand: “Maithri,” 132 Cathedral Rd.; 044/2811-2473; Monday to Friday 8am to 12:30pm, Saturday 8 to 11:45am.
Emergencies Police 100. Fire 101. (See “Ambulance” above.)
Hospital Internationally acclaimed Apollo Hospital (21 Greams Lane, off Greams Rd.; 044/2829-3333 or -0200) offers the city’s top medical services; it also has a good round-the-clock pharmacy.
Internet As is the case in other cities, your most reliable bet is to find a Sify iway (when in Mylapore, head for the outlet on 59 Dr. Radhakrishnan Rd.; there’s also one at 22 College Rd., Nungambakkam) or Reliance Web World (outlets in RAPuram, Anna Salai, Alwarpet, and Nungambakkam).
Police For emergencies, dial 100. For traffic police, dial 103.
Post Office Ask your concierge, host, or receptionist to post small cards and letters (around Rs 15 per stamp). For larger items, use the General Post Office on Rajaji Salai, George Town, or the Head Post Office on Anna Salai. Better still, call Fedex (125 Peters Rd., Royapettah) at 044/2835-0449.
Taxis See “Getting Around Chennai,” above.
WHAT TO SEE & DO
Unfortunately, the city’s attractions are very spread out, and getting around can be nightmarish; select a few choice sights in one area or get an air-conditioned taxi for the day.
SOUTH CHENNAI Exploring Marina Beach and the temples and churches of Mylapore, the old heart of Chennai, can be done on foot; to cover the sights further south you’re probably best off hiring a car for the better part of the day; be prepared for traffic.
Presuming you’ve already spent the night in Chennai, get a predawn start by taking in the early morning activities along the 12km (7 1⁄2-mile) Marina Beach—if you’re there early enough (around 6am) you can watch the fishing boats being launched. If you’d rather sleep in, save the beach for dusk, when it becomes a colorful pageant of boys playing cricket, families strolling, vendors selling souvenirs, and food carts offering fast-food snacks. Given that it’s the world’s second-longest city beach you might want to concentrate your energies on the best area: the vicinity of Triplicane, along Kamaraj Road, walking towards South Beach Road.