This is our second visit to India as tourists. India is one of few countries still adopting half-hour time zone (2-1/2 hours behind KL or 5-1/2 hours ahead of GMT). The others are Myanmar, Afghanistan and Iran. Our first impression of Hyderabad: busy and chaotic -- but that's typical India. But surprisingly clean by any standards, streets well swept (no sand on the tarmac!) and very fresh looking in the morning. Either India has progressed tremendously since our last visit, or it is just Hyderabad. No stray animals -- no pigs, not even stray dogs or cows. No slums, hardly any beggars (though a few homeless). Very good roads, no potholes. Dual double-lane carriageways outside the city. Heavy traffic, esp. at dusk, but no standstill jams. Drivers know how to wiggle out of any trap. However, huge disparity in public transport charges: e.g. hotel taxis can cost 400 rupees, while an auto (scooter taxi) can take you the same distance for R60, and a bus fare only R6 (US 14cents). Men and women sit separately in buses (yes -- even husbands and wives). Ladies at the front, men in rear. Surprisingly easy (and reasonably comfortable) to go around using the buses. Just ask people at the bus stops or stations which buses to take. These people know their buses by heart! But religiously harmonious city 50-50 muslims/hindus. Hotels are expensive, foreigners expect to pay 20 times what locals pay on the entrance fees to museums, historical buildings, etc. BTW, 92 channels on TV. better than some places we've been in Europe!