Crocodiles, Mahabalipuram Revisited, Fisherman's Cove

Co-workers and I took a day trip south of Chennai. Our first stop was the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, an organization dedicated to conservation, research and education on crocodiles, snakes, tortoises and other reptiles. I had never seen crocodiles up this close before.

Some were just relaxing in the shade, either with their mouths closed ...



... or with their mouths wide open.



I've seen this behavior described as "gaping" or "basking." This may help the crocodile to keep cool, by increasing evaporation. The behavior has also been observed in the rain and at night, so it may also have another function. The Nile crocodile does it to allow a bird, the spurwing plover, to clean its teeth.

Some headed into the water to cool off even more.



Some were hanging out on land with other crocodiles.



Others were lurking, just barely visible above the surface of the water. Click on the photo below if you would like a better view of the lurking crocodile.



While we were there we met Nick, an American herpetologist working in India. He related some of the history of Crocodile Bank to us. If it weren't for Nick, we would have missed Jaws III - the largest crocodile in captivity in India, weighing over 1500 pounds. Jaws was underwater when we passed by the first time, so Nick brought us back to his pond, and with a variety of noises attempted to persuade the giant crocodile that it was lunch time.

Jaws lives in his pond enclosure alone, mainly because he eats any other living creature with which he comes into contact, including other crocodiles. Today he was only interested in getting out of the water if we could convince him there was a good chance he'd get a decent meal out of it.



Mmmmmmm ... tourists.



There were also some boring turtles, tortoises and snakes to see. I'm kidding! I'm sure their lives are fascinating, even if their charms are more ... subtle.







We then carried on to Mahabalipuram. I had been here once before so I acted as the tour guide to my co-workers. I'm sure there were times they felt like the Taj Mahal tourists in the movie Slum Dog Millionaire - wary of their guide's knowledge, but what choice did they have?

Looking below, one might think that I turned the trip into a photoshoot about me, but that is an exaggeration.

A bull behind one of the five rathas



A hilltop temple



Arjuna's Penance



The Shore Temple



The shots below don't include me, but I like them anyway.

Elephant among the five rathas



Shore Temple



In the early afternoon, we continued on to Fisherman's Cove, a beach resort run by the Taj group of hotels. The Taj Mount Road Hotel where we are staying organizes a free monthly excursion to Fisherman's Cove for long term guests.

The entire place is designed so that you can relax very deeply.

I enjoyed a lunch of fresh locally caught fish at their outdoor restaurant by the sea.



The resort includes regular hotel rooms plus private cottages. Each of the cottages has its own outdoor hammock.



The beach is clean and uncrowded. Waves make the only noise.



The large pool has both sunny and shaded areas, and a swim up bar serves refreshing mojitos, plus many other cool beverages.



I thought about getting a massage at the spa, but decided a nap by the pool would be more relaxing. Ahhh ...