As part of Bhaktivedanta Manor’s on-going 50th anniversary celebrations, Shyamasundar das (born Sam Speerstra) made a special summer trip to the UK to share his precious memories and spend time with the devotees.

He shared material which is included in his three-part memoir Chasing Rhinos with the Swami, especially his most recent book, Part 3, which includes the early 1970’s period onward. Not only did his UK tour include the Manor, but also all over London, Birmingham, Coventry, Leicester and even Glastonbury.

After graduating from Reed College in 1965, Shyamasundar Das met Srila Prabhupada in San Francisco in January 1967, and immediately became his devout disciple.