Pacific Passages (Armchair Traveller) - Hardcover

Hans-Christof Wachter

3.6

5 ratings by Goodreads

9781905791569: Pacific Passages (Armchair Traveller)

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1905791569 ISBN 13: 9781905791569

Publisher: Haus Publishing Limited, 2008

View all copies of this ISBN edition:

The first Europeans to catch sight of the islands of the South Seas thought that they had chanced upon paradise, and the tales they told on returning to their homes encouraged all other Europeans to idealise the islands as a tropical Arcadia. The truth was very different and the apparent idyll of the South Sea islanders was shattered by the fatal impact of European discovery.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Synopsis:

Hans-Christoph Wachter's striking and colourful descriptions provide a unique insight into the South Sea Islands; places where even after centuries the history of European explorers and pirate legends the ancient traditions and myths of the islanders still merge into a seemingly Arcadian dream setting.The author is reminded of Herman Melville's "Moby Dick" when he, during his voyage around the Pacific islands of Vanuatu, Ovalau, Fiji, Tonga, Rarotonga and the Cook Islands, happens upon an enchanting spectacle: one moonlit night young whales circle the freighter on which he is travelling, exhaling glistening, silvery founts and singing to one another. The hull of the ship becomes their underwater sounding-board.Hans-Christoph Wachter describes the paradise he found in these Pacific islands, but he also recounts the hardship of the life he shared for a while with the islanders. The courage of the young men who perform the ritual of naghol - a primitive form of bungee jumping - that is the traditional request to the deities for a plentiful harvest. Their fishing and hunting might seem idyllic, straight from a picture-postcard, but it is hard work.

And the 'magical blue Pacific' can become a fearsome and unforgiving enemy during a hurricane, whipping the shores of these paradisiacal islands. But for every 'brooding, pensive' traveller, like Wachter, 'the magical blue Pacific', once seen, will for ever more be the ocean of his heart.'

About the Author:

Hans-Christof Wachter lives in Berlin where he works as a theatre director, author and travel writer. He has been employed at several German theatres, including most recently as head of acting at the Buhnen der Landeshauptstadt Kiel. Wachter has been self-employed since 1980 and his reportages have appeared in publications such as Frankfurter Rundschau, Die Zeit, Tagesspiegel, die tageszeitung, Mare and Globo. His work also includes radio dramas, various book publications and radio features.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.