This winter, I will be calling Chennai, India home. (Record scratch!)

Yep. You heard that right.

I’m moving to India for a bit.

You’re probably thinking, what the….(insert word of choice here)!?!

Yeah, I was surprised too. That’s the one thing I will say about life. It certainly never ceases to surprise you.

But back to India.

My husband is relocating to Chennai for a while to take care of some family stuff, and I will be ‘commuting’ back and forth between New York City and this lovely seaside city that was formerly known as Madras. (Yes, I’m ready to rack up those frequent flyer miles!)

It has always been a dream of mine to live abroad, but never in my wildest dreams did I think that the country would be India!

Now that this move is officially happening, I have embraced it, and I’m looking forward to spending time in a country that is so different from my own.

I have already been to Chennai a couple of times, and have explored the city with my husband and his family. Since I now feel like a bit of a ‘local’, I want to share the top 5 things I love to do when I’m in Chennai. I hope my list inspires you to add Chennai to your itinerary if you’re planning a visit to India.

Related: What I’ve learned while living abroad in Chennai, India

Things to Do in Chennai, India

1. A walking tour with Storytrails

Chennai’s rich culture and past are best explored on foot. That’s why I love the walking and eating tours that Storytrails offers. There are plenty of options to choose from, whether you want to explore the local bazaar or take in the British history and architecture of the city. (The British East India Company set up shop in Chennai in 1639.) Walking is a great way to see the city’s history firsthand and the Storytrails guides are knowledgeable and witty. I also love the intimacy they provide with small group tours. (Tours typically run around $20 per person.)

2. An Afternoon in Mylapore

I love spending an afternoon wandering through Mylapore, one of the city’s oldest residential neighborhoods and home to hundreds of temples, churches, and mosques. One of the most famous temples here is the splendid Hindu Kapaleeshwarar Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Westerners can tour most of the Temple area except for the central shrine.

Supposedly, there are only 3 churches in the world built over the tomb of an apostle, and one of them is in Mylapore. The Santhome Basilica was built in the 16th century by Portuguese explorers. You can visit this church when you’re wandering around Mylapore and see some of India’s practicing Christians.

3. People watching at Marina Beach

If you love people watching, you will love Marina beach as much as I do. Keep in mind, this is not really a beach where you’ll see sunbathing and swimming per se. Because of cultural differences like modesty, most people who visit this part of the beach are fully clothed except for their shoes. I also must warn that especially on a crowded day, the odor can be a bit off-putting. Unfortunately, people often leave their trash (and other things) in the sand, so I definitely recommend watching where you step! But if you can manage these drawbacks, you’ll have a great time watching the locals enjoy a day at the beach.

4. Amethyst Cafe, an oasis in the city

For a respite from the crowds, head to Amethyst, my favorite oasis in the city. This charming café is situated in an old, colonial mansion. The lush, green gardens provide a respite from the city’s heat. And inside, with the black and white tile floors, walls with painted florals and petite lampshade chandeliers, you feel like you could be in a café in Paris. But the real reason I love coming here is that it inspires me to write.

5. A night on the town at the rooftop restaurant at The Raintree Hotel

When my husband and I go on a date night in Chennai, we always head to the rooftop restaurant and bar at the Raintree Hotel. There’s always a breeze and the food is delicious. They also have a great wine selection. Usually, there is a DJ spinning tunes, and it’s a chance for us to sit back, relax and enjoy the view.

Embracing my new home

I can’t wait to get back to Chennai to discover more great finds to share with you.

Once I get settled, I’ll be sure to update you with more tips and recommendations of my new home, Chennai. I also hope to explore other areas of India and Southeast Asia as well, so I’ll keep you posted with all of my journeys.

The world has so much to offer. So if you’re contemplating a trip, book it! Go for it! See the world. I promise you won’t regret it.

And me? Well, right now, I very much feel like that kid back at sleepaway camp, excited for all that’s to come!

Timbuktu, I’m coming for you!