Nostalgia

Letter to the Editor I HAVE often wondered how many countries, other than those listed on its title page, the “PIM” reaches. It would be very interesting to know.

I always have a copy or two with me on my trips to Siam (or Thailand, as it is again officially called—“Land of the Free”) where my work often takes me, and they have been appreciated by friends of mine in that country.

Incidentally, I have been a reader since the first issue in 1930, when I lived in Apia, I like this part of the world well enough; but my heart will always be in the Islands.

A few days ago, I swam at a Siamese beach, in the Bay of Bengal, where a really magnificent surf was thundering in, and I thought of the beautiful, sequestered spots I know in the Pacific, where I spent many happy hours, 20 and 30 years ago—of the first Islands beach I knew, at Ela, and, later, the beaches of Ysobel and Marau Sound —the lovely little beaches at Utu goke, Nuku Island, Neiafutahi, and at the foot of the Ha’alaufuli Liku. Mulinu’u and Faleula, on moonlight nights, come then readily to my mind, and Saweni and Sigatoka. Then later, during the war years, the grimmer but not less beautiful Gona and Scarlet Beach, and back to the country where I commenced with, Ela.

And now, when I’m past 50, I swim along the sundrenched beaches of Penang and Thailand, and still enjoy life. But the days of my youth in the Islands were the days of zest. I hope to see them all again sometime, and I know I would meet well remembered friends, for I often see their names mentioned in the “PIM.”

I wish you many years of continued success.

I am, etc.,

Arthur H. Green,

Tongkah Compound 3, 15 Beach St., Penang.