Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is served by several international airlines, including Air India, British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, Singapore Airlines, Malaysian Airlines, Gulf Air, Emirates, Thai etc.. In addition, it has excellent domestic air and train connections to Delhi and Mumbai (formerly Bombay), which are served by virtually all international airlines.

Most international flights to/from India in December/January are booked months in advance, since this is the prime tourist season. So you are advised to start making your trip preparations at once. You are also advised to apply early for a visa, since there can be a large delay in this process. It is often simpler to apply for a *general tourist visa* than to get a visa to attend the conference.

The climate in Chennai in January is usually quite pleasant, with day temperatures ranging between 25 deg C and 30 deg C, and minimum temperatures of 18 deg C to 20 deg C.

There are several interesting sites in and near Chennai worth a visit. The temple and silk town of Kancheepuram is worth a visit if you are so inclined. We plan a one day excursion to the rock temples and beaches of Mamallapuram with lunch at a beach resort nearby. Chennai is also the usual take off point for a tour of the innumerable signtseeing places of Southern India, for example the other temple towns of Tamil Nadu, the beach and backwaters of Kerala, the wild life resorts and temples, palaces and forts in Karnataka.

Currently, the conversion rate for Indian rupees is approximately Rs.40 per US$ and Rs 57 per Euro. .

For telephone calls, the country code for India is 91 and the city code for Chennai is 44. For calls made from within India from outside Chennai, replace the prefix +91-44 by 044. Within Chennai, no prefix is required. Calling mobile phones in Chennai requires a prefix 91 if calling from outside the country and a '0' if calling from outside Chennai but within the country.