A relatively comfortable coach ride away, past Mysore, we spent the weekend at a state owned jungle/eco lodge. The Kodagu (formerly/Coorg in English) area has become famous for coffee plantations, but this spot on the river has a long tradition of (catching and) training elephants. Not having previously left the city, it was nice to have a complete change of scenery, this is the view from the veranda of our room:
An afternoon safari drive (perhaps inevitably) didn't include a tiger sighting, although there's thought to be five or eight in the park. We saw a few deer - spotted, jokes welcome, as here - and the smaller barking deer. Also several Malabar Giant Squirrels, which were perhaps the size of domestic cats and some wild elephants, including the baby below.
The camp specialises in their 'elephant interaction' programme - feeding, washing and elelphant rides, with about 20 domestic elephants and their trainers, mahoots. This is Tom feeding one, and another relaxing in the water... sadly they do have shackled feet, and carry chains around with them, but they seemed fairly cheerful (in so far as I could tell) and were incredibly tolerant of the daily round of tourists.
An afternoon safari drive (perhaps inevitably) didn't include a tiger sighting, although there's thought to be five or eight in the park. We saw a few deer - spotted, jokes welcome, as here - and the smaller barking deer. Also several Malabar Giant Squirrels, which were perhaps the size of domestic cats and some wild elephants, including the baby below.
The camp specialises in their 'elephant interaction' programme - feeding, washing and elelphant rides, with about 20 domestic elephants and their trainers, mahoots. This is Tom feeding one, and another relaxing in the water... sadly they do have shackled feet, and carry chains around with them, but they seemed fairly cheerful (in so far as I could tell) and were incredibly tolerant of the daily round of tourists.
