Anyone been to Chennai, India

Shaun @ Tru6 · 04-27-2007, 06:26 AM

Looks like I'm going next week.

Any recommendations on do's, don'ts, places to see, stay?

Joeaksa · 04-27-2007, 06:48 AM

Was there in December. You are not used to traveling overseas very often so will be blunt and somewhat graphic.

Take Cipro with you. Take Cipro with you. Take Cipro with you.

Do NOT:

Drink any water that is not out of a SEALED bottle and has been filtered and purified
Drink ANYTHING with ice in it, period!
Eat salads (washed in water)
Eat ice cream and such that has not been cooked

Try not to drink anything out of a glass. Drink out of the bottle or can if possible and drink only purified things (soda's are not, beer or wine is) and remember, the glasses were washed with local water.

Dysentery is everywhere there and the smallest thing can send you to the potty for 3-5 days without medication. Cipro will save your life (and trip) so have it near and I would take two doses with me. Also take neosporin for small cuts and such. Wash your hands ANYTIME after working with anything not in the hotel.

Do not go out of the hotel with a lot of money (a lot there is anything over $50) and always put your wallet (with only one or two credit cards in it, the rest in the hotel safe) in your front pants pocket.

I stayed in the Courtyard there because I frequent Marriott properties. They are clean and always descent. There are others there but be very careful of the sanitary situations, there are things that can ground you very fast, if not kill you.

If you feel any cramping in your gut, especially early morning after waking up, if it does not go away within a few minutes (or a BM) start taking Cipro IMMEDIATELY as you will be crapping/vomiting your guts out shortly.

You are going there to look at having products made there, so they will be friendly towards you. Resist going out to any restaurants that are local "hole in the wall" versions. If you have to, stick with user friendly foods like curry chicken and so on. The nan bread is excellent, especially made with garlic. Star beer is descent and drink that over water as its safe.

Take photos and come back safe...

Joe

The Gaijin · 04-27-2007, 08:21 AM

Have you been to a travel doctor? They will give you all kinds of stuff - tetnus booster, hepatitis shots and will give you the prescription for the cipro and malaria meds. India is fantastic, I hope to go to the south one day. Be careful and enjoy.

HardDrive · 04-27-2007, 08:23 AM

Geez Joe, you make it sound like he's going to a war zone.....

Just got back from India. I go every couple years to visit the wifes family.

Joes right about the sanitary situation. The wife and I bring little bottles of hand sanitizer for when we are out an about. The bathrooms are typically unspeakably horrible, and I would suggest seeking a western restaurant like McDonalds or a hotel if you need to go while out and about.

If you have alergies, or you have asthma, being Claratin-D or another medicine. I would suggest something with a decongestant. The air pollution is astounding. Bring cough drops regardless.

Don't eat food from little road side stands. It may seem quaint, but you will pay in the end (literally).

DO NOT drink water that is given to you unless it is in an UNOPENNED bottle. I have witnessed a kid sitting in the back of a shop refilling water bottles with my own eyes.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 04-27-2007, 08:25 AM

Joe, want to fly me there?

Good advice all around. Will have to see a doctor.

Only going for a few days unfortunately but will bring my old Canon 3.2.

dhoward · dhoward's Garage

"India is a horrible, horrible place. If I were you, I would not go to the bathroom there."
-Pinter's Father

The Gaijin · 04-27-2007, 11:45 AM

Bump.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madras

Joeaksa · 04-27-2007, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by HardDrive
Geez Joe, you make it sound like he's going to a war zone.....

Just got back from India. I go every couple years to visit the wifes family.

Joes right about the sanitary situation. The wife and I bring little bottles of hand sanitizer for when we are out an about. The bathrooms are typically unspeakably horrible, and I would suggest seeking a western restaurant like McDonalds or a hotel if you need to go while out and about.

If you have alergies, or you have asthma, being Claratin-D or another medicine. I would suggest something with a decongestant. The air pollution is astounding. Bring cough drops regardless.

Don't eat food from little road side stands. It may seem quaint, but you will pay in the end (literally).

DO NOT drink water that is given to you unless it is in an UNOPENNED bottle. I have witnessed a kid sitting in the back of a shop refilling water bottles with my own eyes.

HD,

You do not count, you are married to an Indian who tells you all the tricks!

As you mention above, it can be difficult there and sanitary conditions do not exist in most of the areas.

Imagine being in a traffic accident and having to go to the hospital. Many are very good but if you are in the stix it will not be to our standards. The advise about a doctor's visit is good.

Shaun,

Would love to but believe that I am a bit out of your range just yet. Intro fee starts around $25 million for the plane (used price, new is another $5 mil) then another $3-5 mil per year for the crew and operating expenses. That said, there is nothing like it...

Go there, be careful but beware.

Joe

Shaun @ Tru6 · 05-04-2007, 08:52 PM

Thanks again for all the advice. Any thoughts on electrical considerations? Wouldn't want to fry my laptop.

Leaving tomorrow from Boston, going to NY, then onto Hamburg via Emirates Airline, onto to Dubai for a long stayover (woooohooooo! I'm definitely going to explore Dubai) and then on to Chennai.

I'll stay the week, travel the country a little, then come back home next Sunday.

Can't wait!

HardDrive · 05-04-2007, 10:42 PM

Most laptops will use 110-240v. Check the back of your power supply. All you typically need is a plug adapter, not a voltage adapter, unless you have some really old equipment.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

I wish I had Cipro and hand sanitizer, etc when I lived in India.

If you have time, go to your doctor and get a regimen of vaccinations (Yellow Fever, hepatitis a&b, etc)

Carry baby wet wipes in a ziplock bag in your pocket along with some regular toilet paper. Not everyplace has toilet paper...

Definitely do the paper towel or toilet paper trick with the door handles leaving the bathroom.

When taking a shower, keep your mouth closed. Afterwards use mouthwash and brush your teeth with bottled water.

Joeaksa · 05-05-2007, 07:06 AM

Shaun,

Are you back yet???

Shaun @ Tru6 · 05-05-2007, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Joeaksa
Shaun,

Are you back yet???

Joe, leaving today. running around to get all loose ends wrapped up.

Trying to decide if I should get a new camera. old 3.2 has seen better days, dropped one too many times in New Zealand.

Joeaksa · 05-05-2007, 07:19 AM

Take a handful of small sandwich sized ziplock bags.... come in handy.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 05-06-2007, 12:51 PM

just arrived in Dubai, what a beautiful airport! It's close to midnight Sunday night here, so there'll be no scouting around.

Highly recommend Emirates Airlines.

Had an idea on the water situation. I brought about 50 packages of Sea Monkeys (R) and figure I'll empty a package into any water, the Sea Monkeys will eat anything in the glass making it safe to drink. Will let you know how it goes.

bigchillcar · bigchillcar's Garage

lol...now how did i know you'd be the first to post on a location, joe?