A BMW is a status symbol; it is a car that says, "You've made it". The need to keep it as pristine, as original as possible is so strong its almost an urge. You may be replacing something as non-descript as a fan belt or something as important as the emblem from the hood. Whatever it is that needs replacing, you want it to be done with genuine BMW auto parts.

If paying dealership prices is not what you had in mind, the next best place to look for BMW parts is online. There is a vast array of online stores, which specialize in genuine, generic, new and used parts for your BMW. The prices are usually less than purchasing through a dealer, however, keep in mind that these stores may lack in knowledgeable sales staff.

As long as you are looking for parts for your BMW, you may want to check out the selection of accessories that are also available. These include items such as shift knob replacements and custom door handle parts, to name a few. The best way to begin a search for accessories is online or through catalogues.

If you choose to purchase your BMW parts via a dealership, be sure to take advantage of the knowledge they can provide. The mechanics at a dealership can be the best people to ask basic questions of. They will be able to give you insight as to what your vehicle actually needs and may even tell you how to go about replacing it.

The best place to find any type of part for your BMW is, of course through a BMW dealer. They will either have the parts needed in stock or be able to order them for you with short delivery times. They will be more expensive than other outlets, but you will know that the parts they are selling you are genuine BMW auto parts, not something that is generic.

Finding tree removal Brisbane based companies

When one thinks of investing in a new piece of property, one of the first queries is on the foliage that the land has. The more the number of trees the better the premium on the land. With the people becoming more aware of the negative aspects of global warming, many, in their own small way want to have something to do to save it. That having been said, there are certain circumstances when the only solution is to bring down a tree and that is when you have to call in the experts.Some of the reasons that require you to fell a tree are when there is undue threat to the lives of those living there or a threat to the actual property itself. This happens in cases where the branches of the trees have aged and become weak. There are also times when the roots grow into the foundation or too close to it, threatening the strength of the foundation.

There are also times when branches of tree come too close to open windows of a house posing a security risk. No matter where you are placed Tree removal Brisbane or elsewhere always have to be assigned to a professional. There are several tree removal agencies that you can contract your work out to.There are many people out there who are quite handy around the house and often presume that jobs such as tree removal is something that can done on their own. This cannot be far from the truth. Bringing down a tree in full or in part requires a knowledge of how things are done the right way. Else you run the risk of ruining your foundation, damaging your home or even injuring yourself. Tree removal is not work meant for an amateur. Getting this job done right means using equipment that is especially designed for the job.

This means that job will get done fast and with minimal risks. There are other aspects of the job that only a tree removal agency will be able to help you out with. This is more so in cases when trees on your property may be interfering with someone else's property or privacy. That is far as tree removal goes. Sometimes trimming is all you require and even then it is not a job meant for amateurs pottering around the house. It may sound simple enough - renting equipment and getting the job done. But, if you are unsure of how to get it done then you run the risk of creating more trouble for yourself than needed. If you are looking for Tree removal Brisbane based companies, then you could do so based on recommendations from those in the neighborhood. You could also go to someone you find online based on reviews of the agency.

The phrase "relocating to Dallas" is deceptive. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the 12th largest metro economy in the world with the fourth largest work force. The 2008 census measured the population at just under 2.5 million. "Relocating to Dallas" actually means, in most cases, choosing to buy or lease a home in one of the many suburbs inside or around the city. Of those, University Park clearly stands out.

** "Best Suburb" Near Southern Methodist University **

The small, upscale University Park enclave began as a cluster of homes around Southern Methodist University in 1915. Dallas borders the 3.72 sq. mi. area on three sides with Highland Park directly to the south. Although some would argue that University Park is clearly subsumed by the larger urban area, it has been named "Best Suburb" by D Magazine three times (2002, 2004, and 2008.)

** High Property Values, Community Policing **

The area has an outstanding reputation for maintaining an ambiance and character distinct from the surrounding city with and is known for its hometown policing policy. Pair that with high property values that have withstood the effects of the recession and a relatively low tax rate, and buying a home in University Park begins to look even more attractive.

** Superb Access to Downtown Dallas **

There are approximately 7,213 residential parcels in University Park of which 75.98% are single family homes. The residents are just five miles from downtown Dallas. That alone is is a draw for "commuting" businessmen, but it also provides easy access to downtown cultural venues.

** Major Cultural Venues and Strong Educational Base **

The Morton H. Myerson Center is the home of the Dallas Opera and Symphony and both the museums of Natural History and Art as well as the Nasher Sculpture Center are located downtown. All told, the Dallas urban arts district includes nine museums and the city boasts some 115 public works of art.

The University Park neighborhoods themselves, which are adjacent to SMU, provide a natural link to on-campus offerings in the arts and humanities. Additional institutions of higher learning in the Metroplex include Texas Christian University, the University of Texas (with campuses in both Arlington and Dallas), the University of Dallas, and Dallas Baptist University.

The Highland Park Independent School District serves the University Park area, with seven campuses in the district carrying an "Exemplary" rating from the Texas Education Agency. Students from HPISD consistently rank among the highest in Texas with more than 97% of the graduating class seeking a college degree.

The University Park community is primarily residential, with approximately 23,000 residents. Of those individuals age 25 or older, 72% have attended college or hold advanced degrees. Consequently, University Park is one of the most highly-educated cities in the United States.

** Neighborhood Character Paired with Community Values **

Much of the architecture takes its cue from the state's Spanish origins and many residences qualify as luxury homes. Although small geographically, University Park is filled with shopping centers like Snider Plaza, NorthPark Center, and Highland Park Village and offers numerous fine restaurants and art galleries.

There are seven large churches in the area including Highland Park Presbyterian, Highland Park United Methodist, University Park United Methodist, Park Cities Baptist, Christ Lutheran, the Preston Road Church of Christ, and First Unitarian.

** Professional Sports, Solid Base for Travel **

A great deal of the community enthusiasm in North Texas is directed toward the region's professional sports teams including the Mavericks and Stars (basketball and hockey) and of course, the Dallas Cowboys. The 2011 Super Bowl will be hosted in Cowboys Stadium in Arlington 00004000 and the Texas Motor Speedway continues to bring quality racing events to area fans.

Much of the expected influx of tourists for the Super Bowl will be channeled through DFW International Airport located mid-way between Dallas and Fort Worth. As the third largest airport in the world in terms of operations, it is more than adequate for the travel needs of North Texans.

All of the suburbs around Dallas are optimal locations for relocation to North Texas. University Park stands out, however, as an especially good location for young professions and families looking to buy a home or lease property. The suburb is optimal for ease of access to downtown Dallas and the University Park neighborhoods are exceptionally safe with a sound economic base.

Factor in attractive, upscale homes that have held their value, unusually high community spirit, and outstanding educational opportunities and it's not difficult to figure out why families relocating to Dallas and the surrounding area settle quickly on University Park as their new home of choice.

Carolina Attractions: The Reasons Why You Must Move To The Carolinas Immediately

If you are perusing this, you most likely already know why you should move to the Carolinas.Well, it's our opportunity to inform you some of the reasons we like the Carolinas.

A few of our finest Carolina attractions are given below. The abundance of nature, history and life is one of our principal reasons for why we love South Carolina and North Carolina. In the span of four hours you can go from the Smoky Mountains in Asheville, to the limpid waters of the Atlantic Ocean beyond Charleston. From the avenues of Charleston, to the historic sand dunes of the Outer Banks, the past envelops you in the Carolinas.

One of the most excellent ways to come into contact with the legacy of both states is to go on the Heritage Trails. The two states make the most of the mild weather conditions and crowd their schedules full of activities through the year.

Some of the more famous Carolina attractions comprise the Beaufort Water Festival, in Beaufort, SC, the Bele Chere music festival in Asheville and the performing arts festival, Spoleto, in Charleston.

North Carolina (NC) is famous for the Research Triangle Park in the vicinity of Raleigh and Durham (most extensive research park in the world), the Piedmont Triad Research Park, close to Winston-Salem, and University City near Charlotte (2nd biggest banking center in U.S.).Numerous other Carolina attractions comprise cities, like Columbia and Charleston, which include thriving business centers.

The Carolinas are woven together via 6 main interstates and in excess of a hundred thousand miles of state highways with a part of the maximum amount of progress occurring along the I-85 corridor and should you require to travel a long distance; the Carolinas possess half a dozen important airports in suitable locations.

Hot jobs in the Carolinas cover medical, technology, banking, education, and manufacturing. Once known as a textiles center, in the last two decades a number of manufacturers shifted abroad. Many corporations have noted the qualified workers and tax benefits and shifted in. Carolina attractions in cuisine rank high on our reasons why you have to relocate to the Carolinas.

The Carolina attractions concern comfort, family and food. North Carolina is particularly noted for its barbecue. There are 2 types of barbecue; Eastern, with its red pepper and vinegar based sauce, and Western, which uses tomatoes and brown sugar in addition to the red pepper and vinegar. The Carolinas are noted for their great seafood as well, and particularly in South Carolina.

South Carolina's (SC) individual way of cooking seafood is described as aCalabash.a Originating in the town with a similar name, Calabash style cooking dips the seafood in evaporated milk, after that a breading mixture and then it's deep-fried.

Western North Carolina's mountains focus on river trout. Irrespective of whether you choose you must shift to North Carolina or South Carolina, both states have top notch medical services.

North Carolina houses four medical universities and South Carolina contains a medical college in Charleston, and large hospitals in Columbia and Greenville/Spartanburg. Everyone has their own reasons why they ought to move to the Carolinas. What are yours?

Visit www.PlacesOfValue.com for more articles on best places in North Carolina and South Carolina, relocation and/or retirement made easy, top retirement communities, cost of living, and designing and building your Dream Home.

To get your FREE REPORT on aAffordable Best Places In The Carolinasa, and find your Best Place to Live in the Carolinas: http: http://www.PlacesOfValue.com/page/best_places.php

Shanghai has been called the "Paris of the East" and the "Queen of the Orient." Rich with history, Shanghai first opened its door to foreigners for trade in the 1840's. The resulting international community contributed to Shanghai's unique character, architecture, fashion and food. The Japanese invasion of 1937 forced most of the foreigners to flee the city and it would be 50 years before international influences would return to this alluring metropolis.

Today Shanghai is China's most cosmopolitan city and is regarded as the economic powerhouse of mainland China. Shanghai will be hosting the World Trade Expo in 2010, which will showcase famous landmarks such as the Pearl Tower, the world's tallest hotel and the world's longest arch bridge.

Initially, most newcomers are struck by the city's vastness, the pace of development, the population density and the chaos and energy of the city. There is a feeling that Shanghai is a city on the move, developing at a fast pace. It is more modern than imagined. Skyscrapers stand in stark contrast next to old communist dwellings, giving the city a sense of time and change.

The look and feel of the city can be quite deceptive. Many things do not get done as quickly or work as reliably as in a western country. The "bright lights, big city" image of Shanghai tends to give a much better surface impression than the reality of daily life. However, Shanghai is constantly changing and improving its modern facilities. Western interests are catered to more and more.

Natives to the city speak Shanghainese, the local dialect. Everyone understands and nearly all speak standard Mandarin - as required by the government for state employees. English competency is probably the best in mainland China. The employees in most hotels speak English very well. Most other non-English speakers such as taxi drivers are getting used to visitors, but most are still only able to understand "yes," "no," "hello" and "good-bye." Learning a few key Mandarin phrases definitely helps.

To obtain an "L," "F" or "Z" Visa, a transferee must provide a copy of his/her passport, ten passport-sized photographs and a copy of his/her resume. If accompanied by a spouse, a copy of the marriage certificate needs to be provided. If accompanied by children, a copy of each child's birth certificate needs to be provided. For de-facto spouses, a visit to the local consulate is necessary to obtain a relationship certificate so that the non-working partner may apply for a residence visa. Spouses are not allowed to work with a visitor's visa. However, if they find a job, they can apply for a work permit before starting the job. Teaching English is an occupation that is high in demand and little or no experience is required.

Cash is the most common form of payment used although larger supermarket chains and upscale stores will accept local ATM/debit cards. Hotels catering to foreigners will accept international credit cards. Restaurants and major shopping chains often accept credit cards as well, but it is still advisable to keep cash on hand at all times.
Shanghai is divided by the Huangpu River. To the west of the river is Puxi and includes the Luwan, Changning, Xujiahui, Hongqiao and Minhang districts. The latter two are the most popular living areas for expats with children due to a good supply of housing compounds and community facilities. These areas are also closer to international schools with campuses in Puxi.

To the east of the river is Pudong. The suburban districts (Jinqiao, Kangqiao, Nanhui) in this area are newer than Hongqiao and due to the ever increasing presence of companies in this part of the city; many spacious housing compound and schools as well as community facilities are available. Inner city living (Luwan in Puxi and Lujiazui in Pudong) is usually a popular choice for most couples or singles allowing them close proximity to shops, restaurants and nightlife.

Almost all expats rent their homes. If budgets allow, it is better to rent from a developer. Private landlords can be unreliable by comparison. If you're from the US, UK or Australia, the housing you'll find will often not be of the quality you're used to.

It's advisable to finalize permanent accommodation two months before the actual relocation. Most landlords are not willing to wait more than two months before actual lease start date. They would prefer to rent out to another tenant who can begin the lease earlier. Before signing the lease agreement, do ensure that all agreed-to additional requirements (including accurate furniture list) have been accounted for. It's next to impossible to ask for anything after lease has been signed.

Shanghai is regarded as a safe city. You are unlikely to hear about or experience violent crime. However, just to be safe, most housing compounds for expats are guarded. The most common form of crime in Shanghai is pickpocketing in crowded places.

Expats tend to send their children to one of the many international schools in Shanghai. Compared to other countries, the international schools in Shanghai are relatively young. Nevertheless, these schools are first-rate with very qualified teachers. For those with children under 10 years of age, spaces are at a premium. It is recommended that you submit your child's application as early as possible. School typically starts during the last week of August or the first week of September. The school year ends in mid- to late June.

Driving your own vehicle is not necessary. In fact, driving in Shanghai is rather difficult and dangerous - as the roads are packed with aggressive drivers. If you already have a driver's license from your home country, you can obtain a Chinese driver's license by taking a series of tests (which do not actually involve driving).

An alternative is the Metro (subway system), which is clean, fast and well-run. Since crossing the river by car can leave you stuck in traffic jams, the Metro is a good way of avoiding this - especially if taxis are scarce (when it's raining and during rush hours, for example). Expats should be wary of traffic conditions-especially during the first few weeks of the assignment. When walking, driving, or riding a bicycle, it is important to never assume that someone has seen you and will take action to avoid colliding with you.

Most expats are put off by the crowded nature of public transport and the fact that many passengers tend to push. Taxis, therefore, are the overall favorite for expats. Fortunately, they are relatively inexpensive and make it easy to get around.

While on assignment in Shanghai, it would be advisable to steer clear of talking about certain political issues. When handing over a name card, do so using both hands at the same time. This is a sign of respect. If you find yourself in a conflict situation, a better way to get what you want is not to raise your voice but to calmly persist. Local residents tend to react to another's anger equally or more strongly. Loud voices are used quite frequently and often what sounds like an argument is just a lively discussion - for example, when bargaining for goods at a local market.

Relative to other parts of mainland China, Shanghai is known for having the most liberal and forward-thinking residents. They welcome foreigners living in their city and are eager to learn more about international cultures. Shanghaineses are also renowned for their business acumen and their negotiating skills. They are quite western in their fashion, pursuit of material items and monumental drive for success.

Chris Draeger, Group Vice President, Crown Relocations

Crown Relocations has been providing international moving and relocation services since 1965. With 200 offices in 50 countries, Crown has "people on the ground" in all the major Expat communities around the world. Crown provides a range of services to help Expats and their families move and settle into their new home ranging from Orientation Tours, Home finding, School Search and more. Crown also organizes Expat Clubs with regular events to help people meet and socialize with other Expats.

We also serve corporate clients as they develop and manage the relocation policies and employee benefit programs for the staff moving overseas. Services include expense management, program development, policy counseling, customized online reporting and full departure and destination services for the employees.

Crown is a private organization headquartered in Hong Kong, with European HQ in London and Americas HQ in Los Angeles California.

Crown provides free moving quotations on its website at http://www.crownrelo.com and http://www.wellconnectedinchina.com

Inside, the Aspire One 522 offers a powerhouse of features, powered by the Dual-Core C-50 processor from AMD's APU Fusion Family and their A50M Fusion Controller Hub.

Film lovers will also be endeared with the device's HD viewing options on its 10.1'" 1280 x 720 (WXGA) high-resolution LCD screen, which gives full screen high def for both web browsing, internet streaming and film downloads and a HDMI port to connect to HDTV. There are many Quality Acer Aspire Batteries for Acer Aspire Laptop at aussie-battery.com

The screen also packs extra punch with LED-backlit TFT technology, topped with a CrystalEye webcam.

Graphics lovers aren't left behind either with the AMD Radeon HD 6250 graphics card that supports a range of applications including Microsoft DirectX 11, Video Decoder 3 (UVD3), Shader Model 5.0 OpenCL 1.1 and OpenEXR High Dynamic-Range (HDR) technology.

The multimedia device also offers multi-gesture touchpad on its keyboard for scrolling documents, rotating images, zooming and browsing.

Weighing just north of 1kg, the often poor Acer laptop battery life is said to allow 5 hour user time on full charge with its lithium-ion laptop batteries.

Other features in the Acer AO522 (Acer Aspire One 522) include 802.11b/g/n WiFi, webcam, optional 3G and Bluetooth.

There was no official mention of other specifications, but we believe the following to be true; 2GB of DDR3 RAM, a 500GB hard drive, HD webcam, 6 hour battery life and Windows 7 Starter.

No pricing for the Acer has yet been confirmed.

The magazine sized netbook comes in two colour options - 'diamond black' or green.

No release date for Australia has yet been divulged although is said to be launched in the UK in Q2.

The smell of dog urine is quite an unpleasant smell that would make your life at home uneasy. Removing the stains of dog urine is almost an impossible task if you are using household detergents and bleaches for the purpose. Using detergents can cause harm to your furniture. Moreover detergents don't have the ability to remove the stain and the stinking odour and will only mask the stain. So the best alternative is to use a commercial dog urine remover for the purpose.

Eliminating the odour of dog urine is a challenging task that a household confronts. A specialised dog urine remover has the capability to remove the odour of dog urine as it will kill the bacteria and other microorganisms that are creating the odour. But if we are using household detergents and bleaches they won't kill the bacteria and hence the odour will stay there for a long time.

If we use bleach or household detergents as dog urine remover, it would be an unwise and ineffective thing to do because of various reasons. The worse scenario that can happen is that the detergents and bleaches will damage your furniture. These detergents and bleaches are made of some chemicals and these chemicals will react with the furniture and can cause major damage for the wood or the cushions of the furniture. Furthermore, most detergents and bleaches are not environment friendly and are naturally toxic. In these days, where we give utmost importance to green products, use of such environmentally hazardous products is not at all advisable.

Certain enzymatic cleaners are available commercially that has the ability to work successfully as dog urine remover. These products will remove the stains as well as eliminate the odour of dog urine as they have the ability to wipe out the bacteria that causes the stinking odour.

Courier Jobs: The Funny Side

When you’re in the middle of choosing, or working on courier jobs there are some situations you definitely want to avoid. How do old couriers pass on their years of accumulated wisdom to the younger generation of up-and-coming hotshots? Through legions of jokes and humourous stories about the perils of driving and courier jobs! We’ve picked out a few of our favourites to share.

Speeding

On one of his more urgent courier jobs, a young man found himself pulled over by a policeman for speeding. “I’ve been waiting for you all day,” the officer told him (somewhat bizarrely). Keeping his cool, the young courier replied “Well, I got here as quickly as I could.” When the policeman finally stopped laughing, he sent the young man on his way with only a caution. Something to bear in mind when you have urgent deliveries to make – a little wit might go a long way.

Chasing Chickens

One story we’ve heard illustrates the state of zen-like calm to aim for when undertaking stressful courier jobs. One trucker’s helper faced an unusual challenge during his first delivery while rushing to get a truckful of chickens to a market before it closed. Hitting a slick spot on the road, the driver lost control, skidded, and careened into a ditch. Though the truck completely turned over, sending hundreds of crates flying, both driver and helper escaped from the wreckage unharmed – to see the frenzied chickens flapping everywhere. “What do we do now?” the helper asked. “Well, son,” the driver replied, “First we thank the Lord for sparing our lives.” “Then what?” “Then,” the driver continued, “We curse like hell.”

No Good Deed...

During a full day of deliveries, one kind-hearted man managed to squeeze in a backload for his elderly neighbour – a new radiator for her house. When he returned with the radiator, he brought it inside for her, and then returned to his van. “I must pay you,” the old lady said. “That’s alright,” he joked with her, “maybe one day my van will break down and you can give me a lift instead.” When the woman took stock of the Good Samaritan, who’d had to crawl under his van twice and hadn’t had time for a haircut in months, she shook her head. “Young man,” she said, “You’d better take the money. I wouldn’t give a lift to someone who looks like you.” The elderly lady had a point – being well presented can make a big difference on courier jobs!

Bumper Stickers

Knowing every inch of your vehicle can make the difference between hard and easy courier jobs. One truck driver often became irritable after some occasions when other drivers had cut him off, not understanding how difficult it can be to slow down in a large truck. After one day, however, he cheerfully announced to his colleagues “I can’t believe it. I didn’t get cut off once today. In fact, it almost seemed like people were steering clear of me.” The reason was evident the next morning, as he spotted the sticker his colleagues had mischievously put on the rear of his truck: ‘Student Driver’.

There are many car shipping companies nowadays providing a variety of car shipping services. By far, the cheapest and most economical way of shipping a car is by using open multi car carriers.

These carriers are huge trucks that can carry up to 10 cars at one time. You may have seen some of these on the roads before. They usually have 2 levels and can carry 4 to 5 cars on each level. Because they are so long and high, they are limited to travel along major highways and roads with no obstruction of low hanging trees and bridges.

When shopping around for cheap car shipping services, there are a couple of pointers you need to bear in mind

1) Federal Car Shipping License

All car shipping companies need to be registered with a federal license before they are allowed to ship cars. Make sure you ask the car shipping company for proof that they carry the federal license.

2) Extra Cost

Some car shipping companies appear to offer very cheap transport services but in fact, there are many hidden cost that they do not state upfront.

Make sure you check with the company the total cost of shipping up front before signing the agreement letter. Examples of hidden cost are usually fuel surcharges, car insurance and extra charges for shipping to your house.

3) Door to Door Or Terminal To Terminal

Not all car shipping services will ship the car to your house. Some car shipping companies only deliver to major cities and towns and will deposit your car in a terminal. From there, you will collect your car. There are also some companies that charges additional fees for shipping to your house.

In any case, make sure you ask the car shipping company whether they provide door to door delivery for terminal to terminal delivery. In most cases, terminal to terminal is cheaper.

4) Shipping Insurance

Make sure you have sufficient insurance coverage when shipping your car. Some car shipping companies already factor in the insurance in the total shipping cost while others require additional cost.

It’s also important to know what you are being covered. Most car shipping insurance cover against damage and loss of vehicles up to a certain amount. Make sure you know all the details before signing the agreement.

With so many cheap car shipping services available today, you should take your time and search for a few car shipping quotes before deciding on one.

This article is strictly for folks looking at relocating to Chennai and knows nothing about the city. You need to understand the culture and some facts about Chennai before you relocate. What brings most people to Chennai, what people do in Chennai in their free time, what do they eat, are some of the questions that comes to mind. Metroplots, a portal committed to help relocating individuals to Chennai by helping them in identifying properties (rental and sale) and help them until they move in.

Located on the south-east coast of India, Chennai is the capital city of Tamil Nadu. The city is divided into four parts: North, Central, South and West. North Chennai is primarily an industrial area. Central Chennai is the commercial heart of the city. South Chennai and West Chennai, previously mostly residential, are fast becoming commercial owing to a growing number of information technology firms, financial companies and call centers.
Chennai's economy is dependent on the automobile, technology, hardware manufacturing, and healthcare sector. The city is India's second largest exporter of software, information technology (IT) and information-technology-enabled services (ITES). A major chunk of India's automobile manufacturing industry is based in and around the city. Chennai accounts for 60 per cent of the country's automotive exports and is sometimes referred to as "the Detroit of India"

Apart from a thriving economy, Chennai also boasts a vivid culture. The city hosts a large cultural event, the annual Madras Music Season, which includes performances by hundreds of artists. Bharatnatyam is the classical dance form and Carnatic music is highly appreciated and enjoyed by enthusiasts.

Another important factor in Chennai's lifeline is cinema. Chennai houses a large base for the Tamil movie industry, dubbed Kollywood. The industry makes more than 150 Tamil movies a year, and its soundtracks dominate the city's music. Some of the biggest names in the film fraternity are Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam and A. R. Rahman

Among Chennai's festivals, Pongal, which is celebrated over five days in January, is the most important. South Indian cuisine is well-known across the country and the delicacies include rice-based dishes like pongal, dosa, idli and vadai, served with coconut chutney and sambhar. Steaming hot cup of filter coffee is a must, too.

Chennai often figures in the itinerary of every tourist visiting India. The second largest beach, cultural hot-spots like Mahabalipuram which has inscriptions of major Hindu epics, Dakshin Chitra where model South Indian homes are built a" gives every visitor a true flavor of the sights and sounds of South India.