Travel

Lek Chailert on Instagram: "DO NOT LET THEIR CRIES DISAPPEAR BENEATH THE SOUND OF PRAYERS On August 26, during the Perahera at Sri Dalada Maligawa—the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Sri Lanka—people prayed inside the temple for blessings, protection, happiness, and peace. Yet just meters away, within the grounds of the same sacred place, an elephant was being jabbed and struck. While the prayers continued, so did his suffering. This was not hidden behind closed doors. It happened openly, in a place considered sacred—a place that should represent compassion. When violence against elephants happens repeatedly for generations, people may begin to see it as “normal.” But it is not normal. Beating, jabbing, shackling, and frightening an elephant should never be accepted simply because elephants have been used in a ceremony for generations. I am not asking for the Perahera to disappear. I am asking for elephants to be removed from it. Tradition can continue. Faith can continue. The procession can remain beautiful and meaningful—without forcing another living being to suffer for it. Please raise your voice peacefully for these elephants. Write to the President of Sri Lanka and ask for an end to the use of elephants in Perahera processions, and for these elephants to be given a life of safety, dignity, freedom, and compassionate care. Your voice may be one voice. Together, our voices can become powerful enough to break their chains. Please be their voice. 📧 [email protected] #perahera"

BEAUTIFUL DESTINATIONS on Instagram: "Have you ever seen anywhere that looks quite like Socotra? This remote island off the coast of Yemen feels completely different from almost anywhere else, with Dragon Blood Trees, huge limestone mountains, white-sand beaches and incredibly clear water. What makes Socotra even more interesting is how isolated it is. A huge number of the plants and animals found here are endemic to the island, which is why it’s sometimes described as one of the most unique ecosystems on Earth. You can spend one day exploring the mountains and forests, then the next swimming in turquoise water or camping on completely untouched beaches. It’s wild, remote and still feels like a place very few people have experienced. Definitely one for the bucket list if you’re looking for somewhere completely out of the ordinary! 📽️ @danielillescas 📍Socotra Island, Yemen"