Arrival in MAA was unbelievably trivial. I was the first person at immigration, waltzed right on through and as I had no checked bags made it out into the open air before the scheduled arrival time of my flight. Not often that that happens.
I was staying at my preferred Chennai hotel – the Park Sheraton, and received a wonderful welcome and escort up to my room by the manager on duty. When we got to my floor, I was a little surprised to see armed guards and a metal detector, but it transpired that my suite was on the same corridor as those belonging to the captains, coaches and managers of the New Zealand and Kenyan cricket teams there for their World Cup game the day after next.
The suite itself was amazing, with a massage chair amongst the fittings, and everything I could have wished for. Slippers were laid out by the bed, there was a bowl of fresh fruit and some cookies, and shortly after I entered the room the butler brought in some freshly squeezed mousumbi (a lime like fruit) juice.
in-room massage chair
my suite at the Park Sheraton
laundry returned in a wicker basket, beautifully pressed and folded, and with a rose to boot. Oh, and all free as a Platinum.
The breakfast buffet the next morning was also exquisite, and I thoroughly enjoyed my made to order dosais and masala omelette. The food was even better when you consider that I was sitting between a couple of cricketing celebrities.
Not the biggest crowd in for the Kenya-New Zealand game. Nobody missed much.
The highlight of the rest of my stay was of course my meal at what continues to be my favourite restaurant on the planet – Dakshin. The food was as stupendous as ever, and the basundi (an Indian milk based dessert) was to die for as it always has been over the years. If you ever find yourself in Chennai, you must eat here. In fact, I’d recommend flying to Chennai just to eat at Dakshin.
Shopping Mall emergency rules - part one
I like #15 - make sure you hit that desk hard if the smoke is overpowering you!
one of the planet's most divine experiences - basundi at Dakshin