Chennai/Bangalore.. Worth it?

[jai6638]

Hey..

Since I have a four month summer break, I'm thinking of visiting Chennai and Bangalore in addition to Singapore/Thailand. Anyone been to these cities? I plan to spend 4-5 days in each city.. Have a friend in each so will be staying with them.. Are they worth it? I'm originally from India and have visited Mumbai and Delhi.. How do thse cities compare? Is tehre anything that is a must-do in these cities in terms of nightlife as well as sighseeing?

Thanks

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Haven't been there, but I'd definitely go there, especially Bangalore, a *lot* of stuff is happening there, plenty of capital going that way for new startups.

 

[SearchMaster]

I'm probably going to have to go to Bangalore for a week or two in the next couple of months. I heard it's a hole - is it really decent?

 

[ScottMac]

It's not bad. Climate-wise it's a lot like San Diego (except during monsoon).

If you're Caucasian, don't buy anything yourself. You'll pay several times more than you have to. The usual thing is to hire a car each day, and as part of the service, the driver will do the haggling for you. Don't show any overt interest in anything you intend to buy, or you'll also pay much more than you could have.

*NEVER* give money to the beggers, or you'll be swarmed.

I'd suggest finding a good traveler's book on India and reading it, there are so many cultures and cultural differences that it's easy to get into trouble.

I'd also suggest making sure your shots are up-to-date, there are still a few very bad things you can get over there (depends on where you go). Japanese Encephalitis and Malaria being among them. It takes up to six weeks to complete an immunization series; start early. Look for a 'Trevel Medicine" doctor or see if any of your hospitals offer travel immunizations.

One of th ebest tips I got was to take a Pepto Bismol tablet or capsule before eating. The bismuth will save you from ~90% of the possible gut bugs you can catch if you slip up and accidentally drink some of the native water or eat improperly cooked food (like rinsing your mangos off in tap water).

 

[jai6638]

Originally posted by: ScottMac
It's not bad. Climate-wise it's a lot like San Diego (except during monsoon).

If you're Caucasian, don't buy anything yourself. You'll pay several times more than you have to. The usual thing is to hire a car each day, and as part of the service, the driver will do the haggling for you. Don't show any overt interest in anything you intend to buy, or you'll also pay much more than you could have.

*NEVER* give money to the beggers, or you'll be swarmed.

I'd suggest finding a good traveler's book on India and reading it, there are so many cultures and cultural differences that it's easy to get into trouble.

I'd also suggest making sure your shots are up-to-date, there are still a few very bad things you can get over there (depends on where you go). Japanese Encephalitis and Malaria being among them. It takes up to six weeks to complete an immunization series; start early. Look for a 'Trevel Medicine" doctor or see if any of your hospitals offer travel immunizations.

One of th ebest tips I got was to take a Pepto Bismol tablet or capsule before eating. The bismuth will save you from ~90% of the possible gut bugs you can catch if you slip up and accidentally drink some of the native water or eat improperly cooked food (like rinsing your mangos off in tap water).

I'm originally Indian and have been to India quite a few times so I don't have any health concerns while in India. Whats there to do in these places though? Anything notable from personal experience?

 

[Farang]

Originally posted by: SearchMaster
I'm probably going to have to go to Bangalore for a week or two in the next couple of months. I heard it's a hole - is it really decent?

I've a few friends that have been all around India and tell me it is one of the most westernized cities in the country, much cleaner than most parts. You can ask me next month when I move there.