cardio_guy
TF Ace
Journey to Chennai
My recent trip from Kochi to Chennai and back was a delightful experience. we began our journey on the 22640 Alleppey-Chennai Express, traveling in a 2AC compartment from Ernakulam Junction. The train was decent, punctual, and had no delays, allowing us to reach Chennai right on schedule.Upon arrival at the Chennai railway station, we booked an Ola auto to Lemon Tree Hotel Shimona. The driver was friendly, and the fare was Rs 250. It was early morning, around 6 AM, so the roads were free of traffic, making the ride smooth and pleasant.
Conference at MIOT International Hospital
Our conference was held at MIOT International Hospital, conveniently located just opposite the hotel. we had opted for a package that included breakfast and either lunch or dinner, thanks to my MakeMyTrip Black membership and Swiggy HDFC card. I booked the hotel for three days, from June 5 to June 8, for 2 people, at a cost of around Rs 23,000.Hotel Experience
The room at Lemon Tree Hotel Shimona was decent, above average but nothing extraordinary. The food, however, was quite good. Both breakfast and dinner offered 2-3 main items along with a variety of side dishes. Overall, we were satisfied with the meals provided by the hotel.Convenience and Shopping
During my stay, we placed a few Amazon and Swiggy Instamart orders to the hotel, which were promptly delivered. The reception staff was also helpful with some return pickups. On some days, we ordered food through Swiggy for added convenience.We also visited T Nagar and a few other smaller shopping areas. I did notice that auto fares in Chennai seemed a bit high, as drivers tend to charge more from outsiders.
Return Journey
For the return journey, I booked an Indigo flight. We arrived at the airport early, around 5 PM for a 7 PM flight. Using DigiYatra for the boarding pass made the process smooth, despite a bit of a crowd at the security check.Chennai airport has two domestic lounges operated by TLS, and we accessed them using my ICICI Sapphiro and ICICI World Master debit cards. The flight was not crowded, with only around 50 passengers on board. Although the landing was slightly delayed, the overall experience was pleasant.
After landing in Kochi, we took the Kochi Metro feeder bus and the metro train to get back home.
Conclusion
Overall, it was a good trip, filled with smooth travel experiences, a comfortable stay, and enjoyable meals. The convenience of modern travel tools and services like Ola, Swiggy, and DigiYatra added to the comfort and ease of the journey.
