Full Stop India

Tourists relying on their trusty travel guide will miss out on this destination located within the historic Fort George of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. And while Marina Beach is nearby and captures most of the foreign visitor’s attention, St Mary’s Church has a fascinating story to tell. Locals, taxi drivers and car services can easily get you to the proper location past the imposing security gates at the fort entrance.

Call it an Ambassador, the King of Indian Roads, or Amby as it’s affectionately known across India, the iconic sight of this workhorse automobile is still as common in daily life as when first introduced in 1948. Originally a staple among the Indian Government, today you’ll see the updated design more often carrying everyday passengers for hire or Army officials.

As of June 28, 2010, the USA Department of State issued a revised Schedule of Fees for Consular Services. Beginning July 13, 2010, these changes take effect with some startling new fees imposed for common services. The hefty increases are a result of the need to cover “actual operating expenses for the 301 overseas consular posts, 23 domestic passport agencies and other centers that provide these consular services to U.S. and foreign citizens”.

Vegetarians be damned, the seaside city of Pondicherry is a traveler’s golden opportunity to experience seafood done right in India. A lazy walk up and down, scanning menus, perusing the dining areas and asking locals for recommendations is what this laid back, miss mash city begs from tourists.

Nag-Panchami is an important all-India festival and is celebrated on the fifth day of the moonlit-fortnight in the month of Shravan (July /August). This is the time when serpents invariably come out of their holes that get inundated with rain-water to seek shelter in gardens and many times in houses. As such they pose a [...]