June 30, 2012

51 things to do in Chennai

The weekend drive out or a picnic lunch on a Sunday seems to be catching on rather furiously with us here.
There are many interesting destinations people of the city are still to explore though some of us take these for granted.
On my list is a trip to the hill which we all know as Saint Thomas Mount. The hill which greeted you not so long ago as you approached Kathipara roundabout in Guindy and the space you swing past on your way to the airports.
Choose to do this on a Sunday morning when the world is happy to laze at home. If you are driving down, enter the area from the Garrison Church side and not from the Butt Road end, the road that leads you to Porur, Poonamallee and to Bangalore ( I know of bikers who do the up-and-down trip to Bangalore on weekends).
If you take my suggestion, then crawl at the foothills, or pause to take a closer look. The church, the English-time bungalows . . .some in good shape, some crumbling. . .this was the area where the British set up a Cantonment outside the Fort when the latter got a tad crowded.
Swing past the gate of the OTA ( Officers Training Academy) to approach the hill from its western side. The road can take your car or bike but a walk is recommended. You may huff and puff doing this but the sights of the city at various levels are special. And, your kids will love to catch the aeroplanes landing or taking off.
Besides the heritage church atop  the hill, where Christians believe saint Thomas was killed by his enemies, step into the crannies to explore other landmarks here.
Open your picnic packs, refresh and take the steps down, on the eastern side of the hill.
You too may have your ‘must do’ things in this city that you share with guests or friends.
At our end, for Madras Week (www.themadrasday.in) we are putting together a compilation of ' 51 THINGS TO DO IN CHENNAI'.
Now. there are three listings on a blog - at www.51thingstodoinchennai.blogspot.in.
Do send us your 'must do things'. Mail to - themadrasday@gmail.com. Or post at the Madras Day space on FaceBook (facebook.com/madrasday).

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