ELEPHANT SANCTUARY AT KOH SAMUI ISLAND, THAILAND, Guest Post by Tom Scheaffer

Samui Elephant Kingdom, Thailand

My brother Tom Scheaffer loves to travel and has previously written about his trips for The Intrepid Tourist. In early February he went to Thailand. Here is his report.

Koh Samui Island, Thailand

I recently took a two week trip to Koh Samui Island in Thailand. After a long, transpacific flight, I was rewarded with a very peaceful and restful hotel right on the water. Swimming in the sea twice a day was a real highlight. The ocean is calm and the water is the perfect temperature. I was there with many friends from the Sri Chinmoy meditation center.

Sunset at the Celes Samui Resort and Spa

This is the view from where we ate in the hotel, the Celes Samui Resort and Spa. It was perfect weather--warm, but not too hot and no rain.

Elephant at Samui Elephant Kingdom

We visited the Samui Elephant Kingdom, which is a sanctuary for elephants that have been mistreated or needed a home. They come from all parts of Thailand. It was really fun and the elephants are so gentle and nice. The founder, Chokchai Rueangsri, has developed a beautiful and very extensive natural area where elephants can roam freely and be treated in the most humane way possible.

Feeding the elephants.

The most exciting thing was feeding them! We made large cookies, the size of a tennis ball, using bananas and other protein powders, and then held them out, and they would gently take them with their trunks, and then place them in their mouths. The elephants were amazingly gentle and we had a chance to even approach them and pet them. 

For a complete report on Tom's group's visit to the Samui Elephant Kingdom, with dozens of wonderful photos, go to Live From the Road, on the Sri Chimnoy Peace Run site.

(Note that Koh Samui is sometimes spelled Ko Samui. It is the same place.)

Tom Scheaffer

SALZBURG, AUSTRIA: Hiking in the Surrounding Countryside, Guest Post by Tom Scheaffer at The Intrepid Tourist

Countryside near Salzburg, Austria. Salzburg is on the border of Germany, with views of the Eastern Alps

My brother Tom recently returned from a trip to Salzburg, Austria, where he went to cheer on a friend competing in the annual Sri Chimnoy Self Transcendence 3100 Mile Race. It is the longest certified road race, with athletes competing from 6am to midnight for 52 days, this year from September 13 to November 3. Previously the race has been run in New York, but this year because of the pandemic, it was relocated to Salzburg, Austria. Based on consultations with local experts, modifications were made to strictly adhere to local health standards. Tom and a friend flew from California to Austria for the last week of the race and encountered no problems in their travel. They got tested for Covid just before leaving, wore masks and kept their social distance as much as possible. Tom reported that the plane was quite empty, allowing passengers to space themselves out during the flight. For more about the race, click HERE. 

Numerous hiking trails go through the forests surrounding Salzburg.

When Tom was not at the race course, he and friends enjoyed hiking in the beautiful countryside around Salzburg. He has generously agreed to share a few of his photos from the trip.

The city is divided by the Salzach River, with the Altstadt (Old City) on its left bank, facing the 19th-century Neustadt (New City) on its right. The Altstadt birthplace of famed composer Mozart is preserved as a museum.

Salzach River