Thursday, March 12, 2009

The Cage of Death - Australia




Getting cosy: Choppa the crocodile looks like he's 'affectionately' trying to hug the dare-devil tourist

Close encounter: A tourist dives into a cage partially immersed in a crocodile pen at Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin, Australia

Pictured: The theme park's 'cage of death' that drops tourists into a crocodile's lair

Without the cage you wouldn't stand a chance swimming with a massive saltwater crocodile.
But for brave punters who still want to get cosy with a feisty croc, a new Australian tourist attraction is offering the chance for a close encounter in the safety of a clear acrylic box dubbed the 'cage of death'.
Just 4cm of acrylic, a pair of goggles and a swimsuit, will separate thrill-seekers from the jaws of Choppa, a saltwater crocodile.

The cage has no bars, unlike cages used in shark dives, which prevents the reptiles from gripping on but deep teeth scratches are visible on the sides, deterring some hesitant participants.
Top End tourists climb into the clear box before being lowered into Choppa's lair.
They then spend 15 minutes inside the 9ft high cage and watch Choppa, who lost both front feet while fighting other crocodiles, trying to take a bite out of them.

The attraction at Crocosaurus Cove in the heart of the city of Darwin in the Northern Territory has been given high marks by adrenaline-junkies.
'This is it!' said self-confessed thrill-seeker Mark Clayton from Darwin after spending 20 minutes face-to-face with the crocodiles.
'I dive with sharks, large rays, moray eels ... but it's not this close. It's exhilarating to get that close to a crocodile of that size.'

Face-to-face: The experience is made even more thrilling for tourists because the cage has no bars
Saltwater crocodiles, known locally as "salties," are the largest crocodile species, with the males growing up to 19.6ft long and weighing up to 2,204lbs.
They are found in across Southeast Asia but the highest numbers are found in northern Australia .
Michael Scott, who opened the attraction in July, said there was plenty of demand for the £35 thrill.
'In the Northern Territory , the saltwater crocodile is an icon and is part of our life. They are always in the news, either in someone's swimming pool or killing someone's favourite horse,' Mr Scott said.

Hunting for food: Up to two people are allowed in the cage at the one time
The most famous crocodile to be housed at the park is Burt, who starred as the beast that nearly ate Linda Koslowski's character in Crocodile Dundee.
Although saltwater crocodiles are dangerous, fatal attacks on humans are rare in Australia with only one or two reported a year.
Warning signs are displayed at rivers, lake and beaches in areas inhabited by crocodiles.


Dicing with danger: Swimming face-to-face with a massive saltwater crocodile might not be everyone's idea of fun but thrill-seekers are snapping up Australia's newest tourist attraction
The most recent fatality was reported last month in Queensland when the suspected remains of a British man were found inside a crocodile.
Arthur Booker, 62, was last seen checking crab pots on a crocodile-infested river in the state's north.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

I Don't Have A Headache



A guy is out with his buddies.

He has a few drinks, but true to his wife goes home.
When he gets home he finds her sound asleep in bed with her mouth wide open.

Gets two aspirin and drops them in her mouth.

Of course she chokes but recovers and asks,
"What did you put in my mouth??"

He says, "Two aspirins".

She replies, "BUT I DON'T HAVE A HEADACHE"!!!


He says, "That's what I wanted to hear.

The New BMW X6 Launch In Mumbai











This is my object of desire! Number 1 on my wish-list:) Maybe the heavens open up & I get some rich unknown relative bequeathing a BMW X6 this year! Wake up Gautam & get back to doing oocyte retrievals..All the same I must tell you about the new BMW X6 launch earlier this month in Mumbai.I was attending a BRX meeting & happened to see a very fancy upmarket BMW showroom all lit up & some executives welcoming guests. Curiosity got the better of me & I went across to the entrance opposite the Nehru Center at Worli & was surprised to read "Infinity Cars"... the same dealer that services by BMW 520d!! An executive told me that this was the Inauguration of their new showroom. I was dismayed that I was not on the invitee list, but the lure of the BMW made me gate-crash the inauguration with a close buddy & we went up to the second level. This was one of the best car showrooms I have been to - aesthetics in place with straight minimalistic lines & indirect lighting. Upon entering the lounge on Level 2, my breath was taken away by the new BMW X6!!!!!
BMW launched its SUV – sedan crossover at the Infinity Showroom launch! One of the most drool-worthy machines on planet earth. BMW has fashioned an innovative model in this newly launched BMW X6 Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV). This model is a kind of inter-hybrid of an SUV mixed with an elegant vehicle. By means of its contemporary attractive looks it has a distinct personality; BMW X6 is a perfect car to merge in your work life along with your personal play times... Live, Dream, Drive, Fly!!! It is uniquely equipped with the versatility as well as the ease by which it gets transformed. It features an all-wheel x-Drive system that promises better traction, higher stability and more safety. The car comes to life with its new V8 power unit with Twin Turbo technology and direct injection.It combines the attributes of an SUV (high ground clearance, all wheel drive and all-weather ability, large wheels and tires) with the stance of a coupé (bold styling, dramatic sloping roof).
The X6 marks BMW's first use of its new Dynamic Performance Control system, which works in unison with x-Drive all-wheel drive (both are standard on the X6). DPC is a drive,train and chassis control system that works to regulate traction and especially correct over- and understeer by actively spreading out drive forces across the rear axle. Torque is split not only between the front and rear wheels (x-Drive) but also from side to side at the rear for improved agility and added stability (through the DPC rear axle).Dynamic Performance Control is currently unique in that it is effective when the X6 is both accelerating and decelerating, so at any speed and under any road condition.

Living luxuriously- BMW and X6 both promise to keep your life cocooned and surrounded in luxuries. Having a power moon roof sheds giving fine glow to the calf leather upholstery which one will sink into.....ummmmm (If wishes were horses!!).It promises to keep you safe even in uncertain travel conditions as it is equipped with 6 airbags with electronic stability control. The killer looks of the BMW X6 complement its road handling abilities. This vehicle is prepared to grip the surface hard even in the toughest landscapes. With its flattering sporty handling one will feel as if sailing over the toughest road conditions. One can even crowd it up with luggage as this vehicle has a power lift gate which automatically unlocks itself to disclose the cargo area and easily storing all your off road gears.

No wonder that 90% of males between 30-50 years interviewed in 34 countries selected a BMW car as their “Vehicle Running in Dreams”!!!