Vandalur Zoo

Vandalur Zoo(Aringar Anna Zoological Park) is about 25Kms from Chennai city on the NH45 national highway (the same road as Chennai Airport, Tambaram railway station) and driving there is easy once you cross Tambaram.Anna Zoological Park popularly known as Vandalur Zoo is spread over a sprawling area of 602 hectares.It is one of the largest zoo in south East Asia . There is ample car parking available inside the zoo premises. The Chennai suburban electric train service is another way to reach the zoo ,But the Railway Station is 2 Km away from the Zoo.There are lots buses operating from all parts of the city to reach the Zoo.The buses drop you in front of the Zoo which is more comfortable than Train.People Coming by train can get down at Tambaram and take a Bus to the Zoo. There are ample Number of buses available.

The zoo is open from 9.00am to 8.00pm all days, except Tuesdays. One can easily end up walking 10-15 km across the stretch of the park. The battery-operated vehicles are also available for rent. However, there are only 5-7 vehicles. Each vehicle carries approximately 15-20 people. Around 20-25 Bicycles are present to go around the Zoo. I feel Bicycle would be a better option then going in Battery car as it is Eco friendly and enough time to take photographs.
You can cover the entire zoo in multiple ways:

1. By walk
2. By renting a cycle (just after the entrance in front of Hotel Tamilnadu)
3. Buy a ride in the electric golf-carts (you need to wait for this in a queue)
4. Buy a ticket in the zoo tours (in motor van or trams, these are to be booked in advance for the same day)
   

The zoo charges for entry are Adults: Rs.20, Children: Rs.10 and for Photo camera: Rs.25.

Elephant safari(9:30-11:30 am and 4:30-6:30 pm) and Lion Safari (9:30-4:30 ) are also present.The Lion Safari lasts for about 20 minutes and runs every hour twice. You are taken in a special caged van to a special enclosed area inside the zoo where lions are free to roam. The vehicle you are in goes very near to the Lions who are oblivious to our presence inside the van. If you are visiting Vandalur Zoo don't miss this tour. If we can reach the Zoo by 9:00 am then it would be easy to get the bicycle . First we must finish the lion safari as number of tourist increases .

A wide range of animal life is habituated in this zoo. Animals can be seen in large open island type enclosure, with wet and dry moats and hidden walls with simulated natural environment. There are totally 81 enclosures. More than 170 species of mammals, aviaries and reptiles are exhibited in the zoo.

It would better if the plan to visit on weekdays as it wont be crowded. I am very happy that the number of food center is less and there is only one hotel that is situated in the entrance .This makes the Zoo free of garbage.Food items in plastic covers are not allowed this makes the Zoo Plastic Free. There is also a Aavin Parlour for refreshing yourself ,The food in Tamilnadu Restaurant is not so tasty but I prefer to have curd Rice which is safe for your stomach .The restaurant also provide Biryani and Chicken 65 which gets finished very soon. Only self service option available in restaurant .It is crowded near the billing section and delivery section.The authorities can improve on the Restaurant to make it more attractive and clean.A small boy outside the restaurant sells Lime Juice and Maaza .There are lot of waters cans available in the Zoos for refilling your bottles.Ty to have lunch by 12:45 as the restaurant wont be crowded .The Zoo is clean and most of the animals are not caged which enables the animals to be free

The White Tiger

I visited the Zoo to see the White tiger and Royal Indian Bengal Tiger it was really beautiful and I couldn't believe why people Kill them they are such gorgeous animals .When you see them they are definition of strength, beauty and intelligence. Please save Tigers if you see them then you will also join the campaign Save Tigers. There are 2 Bengal tigers one male and female , It was great opportunity that I could see them playing.

Royal Indian Bengal Tiger
Stone boards reveal the zoological nature, feeding, mating and breeding habits of the animals. The trees bear placards with their botanical name and other details. The zoo is woody,with plenty of trees.

Varieties of Deer(Barking deer, Sambar, Blackbuck, Nilgai, Sangai, Hog deer).Monkey species(Nilgiri Langur, the endangered lion-tailed Macaque, Baboon, Hanuman Langur and Leaf capped Langur)Carnivores like the tiger, lion, panther, jaguar,Wolf, Jackal, Hyena.
Elephants, giraffes, camels,llama,Otter,Star tortoises and snakes can also be seen.

Don't forget to visit the Jaguar and the leopard.I had the opportunity to see the jaguar very near the cage ,It instilled a sense of fear but I was mesmerized by the eyes of it . It is huge, strong and very Cute ....Now I could that it could take down a deer very easily ,The fur coat was so pleasant colored .. I was admiring until it gave a huge sound .I could Imagine how beautiful it would be in the wild...

The Jaguar


The Australian Cassowary


A few exotic species like the Emu and Cassowary, which are flightless birds from Australia, attract attention

The Emu

The other attractions in the zoo are:

• Nocturnal animal house
• Safari Park
• A walk-through aviary
• Pre-historic animal park
• Reptile section
• Prey-Predator enclosures
• Zoo education and interpretation
• An aquarium.

If you wish to see the entire zoo, you will need a full day (nearly from dawn to dusk) to cover it. Keep a good pair of walking shoes, sun cap, drinking water, food & eatables . No plastic covers are allowed so it better to bring food in paper bags.

Some bus Routes:E18,B18,A18,G18,500,518
Bus routes can be checked in :http://www.mtcbus.org/
It is about 1 hour from Koyambedu bus terminus(CMBT). All train from Beach Station stop in Tambaram and Trains going to Chengalpattu stop in Vandalur Station.

I would rate this place 9.5/10.

Additional Information

• Reaching by bus is easier as it drops you in front of the Zoo.
• Restaurant is present only in the entrance which provides very normal food.
• Don't litter the place with Plastics.
• Don't harm or feed the animals.
• Place is clean,Peaceful and maintained very well
  

Saravanaa Bhavan - Fresh Bakes

Address: 133, 134, Peters Road, Near Satyam Cinemas,Chennai-86
Phone: 044-28256952
Locality:Gopalapuram
Landmark: Near Sathyam cineplex,next to chruch park school entrance
Cuisine Type: Cakes pastry and Bakery items

Are you near Sathyam Cineplex and feeling hungry .. Saravanaa Bhavan Fresh bakes is the right place you must be to .The creamy smell from this bakery is felt when you enter Peter's road.All might be thinking that it is expensive as it is Sarvanaa Bhavan but actually it is more cheaper and the quality is great.

There are variety of puffs(vegetable Puff and Channa puff) priced in the range 12Rs-15Rs. You must try Gobi Pie and mushroom Pie which is really tasty priced at Rs12. Then must mention the cost of Pizzas ,The normal Vegetable Pizza costs 60Rs and Panner Pizza costs Rs83. The size of the pizza is medium and it is enough for a single person .You also get a small Pan Pizza for Rs 12.You also get yummy Burgers for Rs25.The dishes are prepared with latest technology in clean and pure way .



Cakes and pastry are little costlier but affordable .A piece of Black Forest costs Rs35. The picture of it is below. You also get Pineapple, Mango and chocolate Truffle .Ice cream are also available but I prefer the place for bakery Items .



Buy a piece of Brownie with fresh Cream(Rs35) the taste is awesome.You must try the Cup cakes ( Banana Pudding,Almond pudding), and don't forget to try the Apple Pie
Around 15 of them can dine at time . it is spacious and clean .It is nice place to hang around before a movie in Sathyam .
You also get bread(Fruit Bread,Masala Bread,Brown Bread,Sandwich Bread).Soup Sticks,Plum Cake,Dates and walnut cake and many other flavors of biscuits.

I would rate this place 8.5/10

Additional Information

• Pure vegetarian
• Air conditioned
• Credit cards accepted
• Sodexho accepted
• Moderate Price -- Rs 100 for 2
• Timings :8:00am to 11:30pm
• Ambiance is peaceful
  

Booking Tickets In Chennai

Railway Ticket Booking in Chennai

To book railway ticket you must go to Chennai Central or Egmore Railway Station. For tourist especially foreigners (expats), Chennai central is more comfortable as you have a separate room which makes it simple and Fast ( Passport is mandatory to avail this) .You can also book online through http://www.irctc.co.in/. On filling a form with basic details the booking is done . It is always safe to book tickets 2 to 3 months before the date of travel .I prefer 2nd class ticket to travel as it is cheap and comfortable . A/C costs three time more and you cannot view what happens outside . You can also book tickets in Mamblam(T-nagar) Station and few other stations but it is always better to book in Egmore or Central Station. Egmore and central have more ticket allocating queues so it is fast compared to other stations.


Chennai Central Railway Station("Gateway of the South")


Chennai Central, formerly known as Madras Central is the main railway terminus in Chennai. It is home to the Southern Railways and the most important rail hub in South India. Trains from here connect the city to other states of India.It also comprises of trains traveling to Trichy(Tiruchirapalli), Madurai and Tirunelveli.To book tickets you must go to the 1st floor of the next big building situated next to the railway station. The station has book-shops, restaurants, accommodation, Internet browsing centers and even an essential commodities shopping mall.To buy clean and safe water TEAM has set up its counter in Platform 5 which is cheap as well as guaranteed. I would suggest to buy a burger in hotbreads or have snacks in Saravana Bhavan or Rathnacafe to have a good tasty food . HOT Breads sandwiches (veg and chicken) are parceled well to take will traveling . These counters are opposite platform 10 and 11 .Please don't take autos outside central station as they are expensive and will cheat you . The best is to take paid autos from the booth setup for helping commuters just outside the station .To reach the station there are lots of buses from all parts of city like (1 series,17 series buses). Suburban station is just opposite to central which makes it easier to reach.

Chennai Central also has a Tourist Information Center. There are Tour operators and travel agents who offer the needed guidance and other services related tourism.Medical care is offered in case of exigency. There are also several Chennai hotels in the vicinity to cater to the needs of the travellers

Egmore Railway Station


Chennai Egmore is a railway station in Egmore, Chennai, South India. The station acts as the arrival and departure point for trains connecting Chennai and southern, central Tamilnadu and Kerala.Railway ticket booking counter in Egmore is present in the 1 St floor of the Railway station.This is one of the two main railway terminals in the city along with Chennai Central, which serves the north and west bound trains from the city. However, some trains to the north-east and eastern parts of the country also start from/pass through here, though the number is much fewer than the ones from Chennai Central.The Chennai Beach—Tambaram suburban railway line also passes through the station makes it easier for commuters to reach the station. The Platform ticket can be availed in the ground flooor,2 to 3 feet to the right of the main entrance .For Food and Snacks there are lot of restaurants outside the station and 2 hotels just inside the premises of the station ,they parcel the food and give it to you in 2 minutes . Idly is always nice to have during travel as it is light for the stomach.Autos here to are costly so it all depends on your bargaining.

BUS Ticket Booking in Chennai

To book bus ticket you must go to Koyambedu bus terminus or to T-nagar(Private buses). Government buses are less costly . Private buses are very expensive . The buses travel all over Tamilnadu . Private bus tickets can be booked online for some famous bus services are KPN,RATHIMEENA,Parveen travels and many more . Redbus.in site helps to book bus tickets for private operators . Buses are comfortable to short distance for long distance train is better .KSTRC, APSRTC and many other corporation buses can be booked in Koyambedu

Koyambedu bus terminus



It is the site of Asia's largest mofussil bus terminus called as the "Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus" or the CMBT and is accredited with the ISO 9001:2000 quality certification.
For booking bus tickets this is the best place to be in Chennai .There are lot of shops around the bus stand . Be careful of your luggage when traveling in bus . SETC bus tickets cannot be booked online only computer Reservation can be done at Koyambedu reservation center (time from 7.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs), T-Nagar(Bus terminus), Tambaram and Parrys Bus Stand . The phone number is as follows

• KOYAMBEDU B.S (CMBT): 044-24794709
• T.NAGAR : 044-24794709
• TAMABARAM: : 044-24794709
• PARRYS BUS STAND : 044-24794709

SETCL is a Tamilnadu government undertaking for operating long distance express services connecting all the district Headquarters in the state of Tamilnadu. Corporation operates long distance buses exceeding 250 km's. and above throughout the state of Tamilnadu linking all important capital cities, historical places, religious places and commercial places and the adjoining states like Andhrapradesh and Union Territory of Pondicherry.The SETC operates Semi-Deluxe, Video coach (VC), Super-Deluxe and Airbus.

Arun Icecream -- Unlimited

Arun Icecream
Want to try variety of flavors at modest price .... Then visit Arun parlours that located in all parts of Chennai city .....Priced at Rs30 for 100grams of Ice cream .We get a wide variety of Sundaes available:

Pure passion
Butter scotch icecream with honey, praline and almonds.

Chip 'N' Dale
Cream 'n' cookies icecream with strawberry sauce, praline and cashew.

Hawaiian dance
Pine colada icecream with pine apple sauce and cashew nuts.

Adam 'N' eve
Vanilla icecream and chocolate icecream with chocolate sauce, cookies and praline.

The devil's own
Almond crisp icecream and raj bhog icecream with kesar sauce, pista and almond.

Rock 'n' Roll
Fig 'n' honey icecream and run 'n' raisin icecream with butter scotch sauce.

Sweet suspense
Fruit salad icecream and Italian delight icecream with pineapple sauce, cashew nuts and raisins.

Tropical trip
Malai kulfi icecream and vanilla icecream topped with kesar sauce and pista nuts.

Heaven's gate
Caramella icecream and chocolate icecream with chocolate sauce, almonds, cashew nuts and chocolate.

Pied piper
Almond crisp icecream and almond 'n' cashew icecream with chocolate sauce & chocolate.

Last temptation
Almond crisp icecream and malai kulfi icecream with kesar sauce, butter scotch sauce, cookies and praline.

Flaming forest
Tangy orange icecream, lime & lemony icecream and fig & honey icecream with pineapple sauce and dry dates.

Desert dream
Raj bhog icecream, malai kulfi icecream & cashew almond icecream with kesar sauce pista and cashew nuts.


The prices are determined on the weight . It is more cheaper then trying some other ice cream parlor . My favorite is Desert Ice cream ....It has Raj Bhog and Special Kulfi which is the Indian variety Ice cream . If you want the nutty taste then Cashew and almond is the best ice cream to try .To have the taste of wine then you must try Rum & Raisin.
They also have lot of sauces and topping for ice cream such as nuts ,raisins, praline,honey, cherry.The favorite sauce is butterscotch and Kesar badam ...I love to have a Chocolate sauce that freezes over the ice cream to give a wonderful taste with ice cream. The quality of ice cream is also good .During this summer the shops are busy and buzzing ......
Currently operational at Chennai's leading shopping mall - Spencer plaza and also stand alone parlours at Annanagar(Shanthi colony Just below cascade restaurant), R.K.Salai , Besant nagar, Egmore(very near to Don Bosco),Mylapore (Next to Nilgris) and Velachery( 7th Main Road Near VijayaNagar Bus Stand road) etc

I would rate this place 9/10

Additional Information

• Well-decorated parlours where cleanliness given top priority
• Convenient working hours (10 A.M to 10 P.M.)
• Regular maintenance of freezer to keep them functioning at optimum levels

How to beat Chennai's Heat

Watermelons and Musk Melon(Kirini)to Beat the Chennai Heat!
Are you looking for ways to beat the heat in Chennai this summer? Here are a few “cool” tips for you…


Summer has started at Chennai!.. Agni Nakshatram (Fire Star) (in reference to the hottest part of May in South India) . Watermelons at every departmental store & on the Chennai pavements. Watermelon as you are aware is a popular summer fruit; there is nothing more refreshing than a slice of watermelon to beat the Chennai heat.

When you purchase; it is important to pick a thoroughly ripe watermelon in order to receive the greatest benefit. A good watermelon should be firm, crisp, juicy flesh & never dry or fibrous.However, besides being just a thirst quencher in the hot and humid days, the manifold nutritional benefits of watermelon makes it an all time favorite for daily meals and snacks. Watermelow cost 7Rs per kilo .The best place to buy a watermelon is T-Nagar (Raganathan Street Vegetable Market) or Koyambedu Market.

Kirini(Musk Melon)



This is the local fruit of Tamilnadu, ....In local language it is called "molampalam" . It must be eaten once the fruit is ripe .. When the fruit is ripe it brusts with small cracks .. then you can peel the skin and mix with sugar to make a nice juice . The fruit has a lot of water content and vitamins to get you cooled during summer.

There are 3 varities of kirini , Two of the varities from tamilnadu and one karnataka( which is orange in colour . expensive then the local variety and small ) . The other variety is yellow in colour and 3 of them costs 30 Rs to 40Rs according to size


Chill pill for Chennai's sweltering heat

Get a “cool” drink…the humble nimbu pani…desi lemonade(Lime juice Rs 10 ) is an all-time favourite. Bite in to a succulent red slice of watermelon and feel the tingling sensation as the juice dribbles down your face. Coconut juice cools and detoxifies; do remember to ask the vendor to scoop out the silky soft insides for a more “filling” experience.

Try “koozh,” a mixture of ragi, boiled rice water, buttermilk, chopped onions, a dash of pickle, and spiced lightly with green chillies. This is an excellent coolant. What’s more, it can help you get rid of a hangover too.

The best solution is drinking lot of water and carrying a water bottle with you always as water packets and bottled water are not so safe.