Australia & South Pacific Books - Page 2

Australia (Country Guide)

Justine Vaisutis, Becca Blond, Lindsay Brown, Terry Carter, Lara Dunston, George Dunford

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A valueable asset 4 out of 5 stars.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.

This book is a wealth of information all contained in one volume. The travel tips, itineraries and even restaurant information are well researched. My only complaint is I'd like to see more detailed maps of some of the more off the beaten path areas - such as Kirra Beach, were I am going. Other than that, this book is a great product and I'd highly recommend it for anyone going to Australia for their first time.

Editorial Review:

Discover Australia

Feel the wind in your hair as you cruise the world's longest road; tips for driving across this magnificent, monster country.
Find out where Lonely Planet's favorite Australians would rather be.
Seek refuge in Cape Tribulation's Wet Tropics where the rainforest greets the sea.
Join the dots; hear about Aboriginal culture from Australia's first people.

In This Guide:

12 intrepid authors, over 70 weeks on-the-road research, 204 maps, one possum in a tent
Wine regions boxed and packaged, brilliant food in every state, decent coffee every 300kms!
Visit lonelyplanet.com for reviews, daily updates and traveler suggestions

Getting Stoned with Savages: A Trip Through the Islands of Fiji and Vanuatu

J. Maarten Troost

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 41 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

With The Sex Lives of Cannibals, Maarten Troost established himself as one of the most engaging and original travel writers around. Getting Stoned with Savages again reveals his wry wit and infectious joy of discovery in a side-splittingly funny account of life in the farthest reaches of the world. After two grueling years on the island of Tarawa, battling feral dogs, machete-wielding neighbors, and a lack of beer on a daily basis, Maarten Troost was in no hurry to return to the South Pacific. But as time went on, he realized he felt remarkably out of place among the trappings of twenty-first-century America. When he found himself holding down a job—one that might possibly lead to a career—he knew it was time for him and his wife, Sylvia, to repack their bags and set off for parts unknown.

Getting Stoned with Savages tells the hilarious story of Troost’s time on Vanuatu—a rugged cluster of islands where the natives gorge themselves on kava and are still known to “eat the man.” Falling into one amusing misadventure after another, Troost struggles against typhoons, earthquakes, and giant centipedes and soon finds himself swept up in the laid-back, clothing-optional lifestyle of the islanders. When Sylvia gets pregnant, they decamp for slightly-more-civilized Fiji, a fallen paradise where the local chiefs can be found watching rugby in the house next door. And as they contend with new parenthood in a country rife with prostitutes and government coups, their son begins to take quite naturally to island living—in complete contrast to his dad.

Frommer's Hawaii 2009 (Frommer's Complete)

Jeanette Foster

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

America’s #1 bestselling travel series

Written by more than 175 outspoken travelers around the globe, Frommer’s Complete Guides help travelers experience places the way locals do.

• More annually updated guides than any other series
• 16-page color section and foldout map in all annual guides
• Outspoken opinions, exact prices, and suggested itineraries
• Dozens of detailed maps in an easy-to-read, two-color design

You'll never fall into the tourist traps when you travel with Frommer's. It's like having a friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. Our expert authors have already gone everywhere you might go--they've done the legwork for you, and they're not afraid to tell it like it is, saving you time and money. No other series offers candid reviews of so many hotels and restaurants in all price ranges. Every Frommer's Travel Guide is up-to-date, with exact prices for everything, dozens of color maps, and exciting coverage of sports, shopping, and nightlife. You'd be lost without us!

Completely updated every year (unlike most of the competition), Frommer's Hawaii features gorgeous color photos of the stunning beaches and thrilling adventures that await you. Meticulously researched by one of Hawaii's most noted journalists, this is hands-down the most reliable, up-to-date, and comprehensive guide to the islands.

Each of our candid hotel reviews is based on a detailed personal inspection. You'll find lavish beachfront resorts, intimate rain-forest B&Bs, family-friendly condos, and much, much more. Our dining reviews are simply the best in the business, whether you crave cutting-edge Asian-fusion cuisine or a hearty, affordable plate lunch.

Our author makes sure that you'll truly experience the spirit of aloha, and she'll help you steer clear of anything that's overpriced, touristy, or inauthentic. With Frommer's in hand, you'll know where to find secluded beaches; secret spots for snorkeling; the best outfitters to choose for everything from diving to deep-sea fishing; and where to find the top galleries and shops.

Inside you'll find extensive coverage of family-friendly accommodations and activities; tips on how to get married in the islands; recommendations for the best honeymoon resorts; and valuable advice on finding the best airfares and package deals. Whether you want to watch the fiery spectacle at the Big Island's volcano, play a challenging round of golf, snorkel with sea turtles, or simply kick back with a mai tai to watch the sunset, you can design the perfect trip with Frommer's Hawaii. You'll even get a color fold-out map, and an online directory that makes trip-planning a snap!

Fodor's Maui 2009 (Full-Color Gold Guides)

Fodor's

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Fodor’s. For Choice Travel Experiences.

Fodor’s helps you unleash the possibilities of travel by providing the insightful tools you need to experience the trips you want. Although you’re at the helm, Fodor’s offers the assurance of our expertise, the guarantee of selectivity, and the choice details that truly define a destination. It’s like having a friend in Maui!

•Your vacation never looked better. This Fodor’s full-color guide paints an unforgettable picture of Maui with vibrant maps, vividly illustrated features, and stunning color photos.

•Updated annually, Fodor’s Maui provides the most accurate and up-to-date information available in a guidebook.

•Fodor’s Maui features options for a variety of budgets, interests, and tastes, so you make the choices to plan your trip of a lifetime.

•If it’s not worth your time, it’s not in this book. Fodor’s discriminating ratings, including our top tier Fodor’s Choice designations, ensure that you’ll know about the most interesting and enjoyable places in Maui.

•Experience Maui like a local! Fodor’s Maui includes unique photo-features that impart the islands’ culture, covering the volcanic landscape of awesome Haleakala National Park, the waterfalls and beaches along the storied Road to Hana, Molokai’s beautiful, remote Kalaupapa Peninsula, and much more!

•Indispensable, customized trip planning tools include “Top Reasons to Go,” “Word of Mouth” advice from other travelers, and tips to help save money, bypass lines, and avoid common travel pitfalls.

•Full-color pullout map

Visit Fodors.com for more ideas and information, travel deals, vacation planning tips, reviews and to exchange travel advice with other travelers.

The Curse of Lono

Hunter S. Thompson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 30 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

adfasfdsaf 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The last great Thompson work that I have read which I hadn't bought because it's a bit expensive, but worth it in my opinion.

Fear and Loathing, the Rum Diaries and Curse of lono... no more good Thompson to read.

paradise reconsidered 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This particular piece by Hunter S. Thompson is less appreciated or even overlooked in favor of his more popular works, particularly his adventure in Las Vegas. Lono is the perfect follow-up to Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, as it reflects the recipe which catapulted Thompson's method of gonzo: travel to some exotic locale, cover some seemingly trivial yet ultimately bizarre sporting event, overstay your time exploring the local culture which will ultimately prove equally or even more entertaining than said sporting event, and finally hide in retreat after the blur of intoxication and savage alienation have been extolled upon friends, family, and locals. Not a bad formula, and not a bad writer.

I doubt that the similarity was deliberate to Fear and Loathing, but who really knows? Where Lono is unique is through the division of labor. Thompson's presence is requested in Hawai'i to cover both the brutal exertion and mindset associated with the Honolulu Marathon; he covers it well, but predictably, the real action begins afterward. Unpredictably, accompanying Thompson during his exploits is the illustrator Ralph Steadman, along with each of their families. Without going into too much detail, his companions slowly dwindle due to the harsh conditions on the Kona coast in winter as well as the mental fatigue precipitating it, thereby leaving Thompson to associate with the more seedy element of Hawai'i (within which he fits nicely). Needless to say, chaos ensues, and the reader is exposed to a Hawai'i not normally described in tourist books. Marathons, deathly pounding surf, flooded cottages, elusive marlin hunting, Samoan war axes, dreaded red fleas, and mass quantities of alcohol make for a paradise reconsidered.

Intertwining parts of pure gonzo narrative, the lush, colorful drawings of Ralph Steadman, Thompson's own correspondence, and excerpts of Hawaiian history and lore, The Curse of Lono is nearly as exhilarating as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas; it's an evident example of Hunter S. Thompson, in the twilight of his writing, creating yet another brilliant exposition that's humorous, informative and entertainingly bizarre. Weird. Terrifying. Fascinating. Pass the grapefruit.

Editorial Review:

The Curse of Lono is to Hawaii what Fear and Loathing was to Las Vegas: the crazy tales of a journalist’s "coverage" of a news event that ends up being a wild ride to the dark side of Americana.

Americans' Survival Guide to Australia and Australian-American Dictionary

Rusty Geller

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

TWO COUNTRIES SEPARATED BY A COMMON LANGUAGE... 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

Having travelled back & forth between the U.S. and Australia for 30 years, I thought I knew my way around Down Under pretty well. However, once we decided to move over permanently, I soon realized I might as well have come from another planet!! If only we had a survival guide like this to combat the daily head scratching and keep our sense of humor alive!

If you are making the trip for the first time, planning to stay awhile or just curious about the cultural differences, this little book will open your eyes to the subtle variances that are discovered only by interesting experiences. Highly recommended for keeping you safely to the left, in harmony with the Aussie attitude of 'no worries' and out of socially embarrasing moments when you might say the 'wrong' thing! Enjoy the book and the country!!

Editorial Review:

This is the Operator's Manual for Australia. This book covers the basic and essential information the author and his family learned in order to survive their first few years living in Australia. It will help you avoid making the same embarrassing mistakes and asking the same dumb questions they did. Includes a 1,500 word Australian-American Dictionary. An essential tool for tourists, business travelers and migrants.

Fodor's New Zealand 2009 (Fodor's Gold Guides)

Fodor's

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Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 2.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Fodor’s. For Choice Travel Experiences.

Fodor’s helps you unleash the possibilities of travel by providing the insightful tools you need to experience the trips you want. Although you’re at the helm, Fodor’s offers the assurance of our expertise, the guarantee of selectivity, and the choice details that truly define a destination. It’s like having a friend in New Zealand!

·Updated annually, Fodor’s New Zealand provides the most accurate and up-to-date information available in a guidebook.

·Fodor’s New Zealand features options for a variety of budgets, interests, and tastes, so you make the choices to plan your trip of a lifetime.

·If it’s not worth your time, it’s not in this book. Fodor’s discriminating ratings, including our top tier Fodor’s Choice designations, ensure that you’ll know about the most interesting and enjoyable places in New Zealand.

·Experience New Zealand like a local! Fodor’s New Zealand includes choices for every traveler, from sunbathing and surfing to bushwalking and horseback riding, and much more!

·Indispensable, customized trip planning tools include “Top Reasons to Go,” “Word of Mouth” advice from other travelers, and tips to help save money, bypass lines, and avoid common travel pitfalls.

·Includes unique, color photos that illustrate the country's history and local activities and a full-color, pullout map of New Zealand.

Visit Fodors.com for more ideas and information, travel deals, vacation planning tips, reviews and to exchange travel advice with other travelers.

Frommer's New Zealand (Frommer's Complete)

Adrienne Rewi

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 20 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Disappointing return to Frommer's NZ 2 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I took a 6 week trip to New Zealand 6 years ago and depended on two great books that helped me tremendously. One was Frommer's, and the other Lonely Planet. So when I ramped up for a 4-week return visit, the first book I ordered was Frommer's, even though the reviews were not terrific. Well. This book was such a disappointment, and proved virtually worthless in planning my trip, unlike the volume from 6 years ago.

First up, the accomodation section is sorely lacking for (truly) middle-class travelers. As another writer mentions, I was stunned by the abundance of listed lodging in the US$400 - $1000 (and up!) per night range. Yikes!! And I was dismayed by the paltry number of lodgings listed at a more reasonable range of US$150 - $300. I did check out a number of these latter on their websites, as well as the official NZ website, but still found better accomodation for the price through links and connections to elsewhere. I booked 28 nights of lodging in NZ using only 1 suggestion from this edition of Frommers. How disappointing. The other bookings are at some truly wonderful, visually beautiful, upscale places, for good prices at Bay of Islands, Whakatane, Gisborne, Nelson, Hokitika, Haast, Queenstown, Te Anau, and Akaroa, -but none listed in Frommers.

As well, some of the great suggestions for things to see away from the main tourist centers, which I found in Frommer's during my last trip, were absent in the present edition. So, from a lodging perspective and a "see the real NZ perspective," this book is just a complete disappointment.

For a helpful guide to traveling NZ, I suggest The Rough Guide to NZ, and the official NZ website.

Editorial Review:

Written by a New Zealand resident, and full of personal insights and opinions, this guide takes you to one of the world’s most exciting ecotourism destinations! It’s much more complete and in-depth than its major competition.
Whether you’re dreaming of hiking along the Marlborough Sound, trout fishing in Lake Rotorua, driving the Milford Road, or feasting on sumptuous green-lipped mussels or succulent lamb, this detailed guide will help you plan the trip of a lifetime. You’ll also find the latest on nightlife in Auckland and Wellington and the best places to lay your head after an adventure-filled day.

Tramping in New Zealand (Walking)

Jim DuFresne

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Easy tramping in New Zealand 4 out of 5 stars.
70 of 70 people found this review helpful.

This is a great book for planning a tramping trip to New Zealand, although it's a bit too much to carry while actually hiking. The book contains good references and maps to the most popular tracks, and some of the lesser known tracks. If your tight on cash, I recommend going to the visitor centers in New Zealand and picking up the DOC pamphlets they supply. D.O.C. has detailed pamphlets on pretty much every track in New Zealand and they only charge about 50 cents (US) for each one. But if you want to plan a trip from home, this is the book to get, it's far easier to understand than the other New Zealand tramping books, and gives good information on what you need to bring. It also gives good info on the New Zealand back country hut system. Buy a hut pass, they're only 35 bucks (US) for a year. It even supplies some decent fly fishing tips for the rivers that border some of the tracks. But be warned that almost every other tourist hiker in New Zealand also has this book, so if you really want to get away from people, you'll have to do some bushwacking.

Editorial Review:

Make tracks across the spectacular range of New Zealand landscapes. The deep valleys of Fiordland and Mt Aspiring beckon, the Marlborough Sounds call, the volcanoes of Tongariro are steaming ... explore on foot the natural wonders of this country from coast to Cook. foreword by New Zealand adventurer Peter Hillary 53 detailed trail descriptions for trampers of all levels colour section on the Great Walks of New Zealand two-colour contour maps for all featured tramps essential accommodation and transport information expert advice on equipment, health and environ- mentally responsible walking

A Passion for Mars: Intrepid Explorers of the Red Planet

Andrew Chaikin

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

The quest for Mars is chronicled by bestselling author Andrew Chaikin in this story of a passionate band of Earthbound explorers caught in the irresistible pull of the Red Planet.

 

They include celebrated figures: astronomer Carl Sagan, who champions the idea of life on Mars-; rocket scientist Wernher von Braun, drawing up plans for human Mars expeditions; and science-fiction author Ray Bradbury, standard-bearer for Mars’s crucial place in human destiny. Readers also meet the rogue grad students known as the “Mars Underground,” keepers of the flame when Mars falls off NASA’s radar; biologist Jerry Soffen, looking for signs of life in a Martian meteorite; geologist Mike Malin, who defies skeptics to reveal a Mars no one imagines; and many others, including Chaikin himself, who served on the first Viking Mars landing and covered Mars exploration as a science journalist.

 

Based on extensive interviews, illustrated with compelling images, and animated by the author’s own passion, Chaikin’s account will resonate with anyone who has ever dreamed of a journey to Mars.