From one old crock to another

With another day to pass here by the seaside, I felt it was time to venture further a field and check out the intriguing Crocodile Bank. It's an ecology project set up to protect and breed crocodiles and alligators, but has been so successful that they have now introduced turtles to the project, and it also plays host to a Snake venom collective that collects the venom without killing the snakes or bleeding them dry.

Altogether a thoroughly fascinating few hours. It's a shame I wasn't able to be around for feeding time, which apparently is quite a scene.

As well as a few choice pics I've also included a short video of the snake venom demo that you can watch by clicking the link below.

http://youtu.be/KoDPe_0auzg

Some of the beasts were a bit too close for comfort

Most just lay around like stone statues

Some would give you a wink

Nothing like a graphic description to get the point over

All those points had a snake of some sort in residence

Mr Cobra didn't seem bothered with the money he was tossed

Where have all the travellers gone?

Mamallapuram is a small friendly town, tiny really and according to the owners of the excellent Gecko restaurant there are around 60 tourist restaurants and cafes here in town. Considering most of them seem to have only 2 or 3 customers a day its amazing so many survive. Unlike a few years ago,  there are  no where near many western tourists around. I can vouch for that from personal observations, and those who are, like me, seem to be middle aged or elderly and often part of an organized package, and thus far less likely to give outfits like the lovely Gecko their passing business.

Looking along the main strip, it's easy to, see it was once geared up for busy vibrant trade. Those days have passed now, until such times as the European economy picks up. Meanwhile on this trip I keep asking myself "where have all the Aussies gone? 

Geckos outside my room

And Gecko's for supper

The pull of the sea

The temptation was too great. After walking a hot 3 or 4 miles around more ancient monuments and then onto the long strip of sandy beach, I just had to have a proper dip in the bay of Bengal. It was lovely and the water as warm as a bath. I just lay close to the waters edge letting the waves roll over me. Only a mad idiot would attempt to swim in those waters. The riptide would have you gone in seconds. Even just hugging the water edge required some resistance to the pull. 

Of course one of the harder pulls to resist is that of the ladies hawking beach towels and beads. 

Ladies of the beach

Another corner another ancient carved temple

The elephant is a life sized carving but time hasn't been kind to it's tusks

A new surprise around every corner

I actually managed to do some sketches today. Wandering around heritage site I came across a pretty, quiet outlook, with only a dog to keep  me company. A very rare thing indeed here in India. Most of my morning was spent clambering over big round rocks and in the afternoon in the shade of the hotel garden I got my paints out. 

There does seem to be a surprise at every turn in this small town. From lighthouses a kilometers away from the sea to stupendous ancient carvings just sitting there in the middle of town. And tomorrow I'm going to find out if I really did spot a jet airliner sitting on the outskirts of town even though there isn't an airport anywhere near. 

Another surprise was waiting for me

I like the carved monkies

Lighthouse  a kilometer inland

I really have been working my sketch books

Rock carvings and caves

First day in Mamallapuram and so far it's the best place I've stopped in yet. Just the right blend of culture, traveler ambiance and Indian life.

There is a cool breeze that comes from  the sea. It's lovely and although the waves don't crash they rumble in with a boiling intensity. An early evening snack in a thatched roof beach side open cafe is bliss. No Bob Marley or trance music just the sound of the waves punctuated with a dog barking and fishermens calls.

This afternoon I wandered into the monument area. A large public park peppered with huge rock formations similar to Hampi. Some the rocks have detailed carvings and a few have some cave Temples carefully chipped out of them.

And with hundreds of secret nooks and crannies to settle in, Indian couples settle in for some romantic moments. 

The main feature of the area is a giant rock that looks impossibly balanced on the steep hillside. The ideal spot for photos of brave tourists holding the rock up. Also the perfect place for an Australian theatre troupe called Humanist Clowns to put on an impromptu performance. Much laughter

A nice indian couple snapped  this for me

Caves are popular here

It's really more stable than it looks

A large bunch of Australian clowns clowning around

Thank you Mam!

Comparing Mamallapuram with Puri is like comparing  cheese and chalk. While Mam's main beach is certainly no eastern gem, it's still much better and is blessed with a world class headland.

After arriving in Chennai and battling through some of the world's worst traffic my taxi delivered me at the dental clinic, a full hour before my appointment. After some form filling I was quickly and most efficiently dealt with. 

I left the clinic with a smile. 

Once in the taxi the driver suggested he take me all the way to Mamallapuram, a 60 kilometres trip would take about 90 mins instead of 3 hours by bus. Charge around 1200 Rs (around £12). Considering the dental work had been much cheaper than I expected, I opted for the easy stress free option. 

By 8pm I was sitting in the hotel restaurant sipping a lovely cold beer. 

Waking up early, I strolled to the beach and was delighted with the view. 

Dawn on the beach

A carved beach rock

Temple close up

Discarded Eel

A Tsunami reminder

It's a living beach and dirty