This was published 7 years ago
Reader travel tips: Tourists should be aware that there are no ethical elephant rides, anywhere
Questions about the ethics of elephant safaris are increasing.Credit: iStock
TIP OF THE WEEK
NOT ON YOUR NELLIE
Questions about the ethics of elephant safaris are increasing. As a former zoo director I have intensely researched elephants in captivity. First, it is important to note that all elephants are wild elephants. It's just that some live in the wild, and some in captivity. Elephants are not and never have been domesticated.
Every elephant used for rides is trained to instantly respond to silent signals from the mahout. That training, typically performed on young elephants, is based upon physical and psychological domination. It always includes pain, sometimes of violent and prolonged intensity.
Every elephant giving rides has been abused. Tourists should be aware that there are no ethical elephant rides, anywhere.
David Hancocks, Carlton, VIC
SELFIE AWARENESS
Having recently returned from an overseas holiday, here is one vital piece of advice for anyone planning such a journey. Ensure you have insurance cover for injury or death occasioned by selfie stick.
Those who wield these "aids" do so with no regard for the presence or safety of others, suddenly thrusting them across your path of travel or swinging them in an arc like a head-level scythe.
Perhaps their behaviour is not surprising when one realises that the photos of everything they came to see are partly obliterated by their own image.
Peter Hoy, Moss Vale, NSW
SAVING GRACE
After years of regular travel before overseas trips I always visit my GP practice to ensure I have antibiotics, anti-nausea/vomiting medicines and the like. Many medical practices in Australia now offer such basic kits and boy are they a good idea.
I once came down with massive bronchitis in the middle of nowhere in Sri Lanka, half a day's travel to a near town. The kit has saved my husband and myself a lot of bother on a number of occasions.
Tatiana Podmore, Cremorne, NSW
TRAIN OF THOUGHT
The most unconsidered aspect of train travel is that it takes you very conveniently from the centre of one city directly to the centre of the next. This alleviates the horrendous hassle of costly and time consuming travel to and from airports which in some cases can cost as much in time and money, or more, as the plane journey itself.
When pricing land travel it pays to factor in costs and travel time to and from airports, making that very spacious, upholstered train seat that provides a maxiscreen landscape image of your journey as entertainment look like a great option.
Kirsty Fotheringham, Thornbury, VIC
ROAD WARRIORS
In response to your request for tips on getting the most out of driving holidays (Tip-o-meter, October 23), after five trips to Europe and one to the US driving on the "wrong side of the road" and covering over 20,000 kilometres by car the best tip given to me was "PIG".
It means "passenger in gutter". It's saved me on numerous occasions when pulling out of service stations. It also helps when trying to readjust to driving back here in Australia.
Richard Statham, Kiama, NSW
HIS AND HERS
Following the letters regarding packing essential travel accoutrements (Tip-o-meter, October 23), I pass on a simple but effective tip for packing for a trip.
My wife and I have travelled for many years and we have constructed a checklist. It has three headings: mine, hers and extras.
We started off with a rudimentary list, adding and deleting after trips. It has proven to be reliable as we pack, sometimes in a hurry, either for a long trip or even a weekend away.
Bill Pimm, Mentone, VIC
Sign up for the Traveller newsletter
The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.