Chennai
We waited the whole morning for a delivery from DHL. Sending a small parcel from Belgium ended up to be a very difficult and expensive operation. It took 2 weeks to get the customs clearance and the final delivery to our hotel. Nevertheless, we were reassured when we opened the box and got all the medicines to replace the one lost in China.
We spent the afternoon at the HSBC branch in Chennai to get David's bank statements. HSBC happens not be that international, and it took ages to retrieve basic information about his business account. Did we make the wrong choice with choosing HSBC?
After a boring day, we indulged ourselves and ate at Paprika, the Courtyard by Marriott ↗ restaurant. We elected the dinner buffet as we wanted to explore one more time the Indian cuisine. Our genuinely kind waiter, Arnold, brought us some delicious starters. The fish especially was to die for. The selection of main dishes was large enough to cater for all tastes. Western, Asian and Indian were available. The chef, Tapas, explained the selection of foods. All more tempting than others... We can only recommend the restaurant. The food was stunning. The staff were so friendly and the ambience was excellent.
Chennai travel essentials
- International Shipping: DHL and other couriers require customs clearance in India, which can take 2+ weeks. Include detailed descriptions and declare accurate values to avoid delays.
- Banking: HSBC has limited branch access in India. Consider opening a local account or using international banks with better Indian presence for easier transactions.
- Fine Dining: Hotel restaurants like Paprika at Courtyard by Marriott offer excellent buffets (₹1,500-2,500) with diverse cuisines and impeccable service.
- Best Time to Visit: October to February offers pleasant weather (20-30°C). Avoid April-June when temperatures soar above 40°C.
- Getting Around: Auto-rickshaws, Uber, and Ola are readily available. Always insist on meter for autos or agree on price beforehand.
- Staying Connected: Major hotels offer reliable WiFi. Local SIM cards (Airtel, Vodafone) are available at airport and city shops with passport copy.
- Local Etiquette: Dress modestly when visiting temples. Remove shoes before entering religious sites and homes. Use right hand for eating and giving/receiving items.
- Food Safety: Stick to bottled water. Hotel restaurants maintain high hygiene standards. Street food is delicious but may upset sensitive stomachs.
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Have you experienced similar challenges with international deliveries or banking while traveling? What's your favorite Chennai restaurant or travel memory?