something different

An Aussie’s search for something different

Fashions in travel change like everything else and as each country has had its “in” period, Australia’s Colin Simpson has covered it. Over a dozen travel books to his credit now deal with such assorted destinations as Russia and Papua New Guinea plus everything in between.

But although more Australians go to New Zealand than anywhere else, until now New Zealand has been ig nored by the prolific, perambulating Simpson and something about the ti tle of the omission now-made-good indicates why: Wake up to New Zealand (in contradistinction to other books he has written which Wake up in .. .) As he says in an intro, he prefers his overseas travel to be as different from home as possible and had, hitherto, regarded the land across the Tasman as an extension of Australia. When he finally woke up to it, he found that the contrast between the two countries could not be greater; although the people, he thinks, are not, as popular ly supposed, “more British than the British” but simply blown-away Aussies a sentiment that is likely to infuriate any red-blooded Kiwi.

It’s hard to believe that Colin Simpson, born and bred in Sydney, where there are more expatriate Kiwis to the square mile than anywhere else on earth outside their home islands, who must have passed through the Dominion at sometime on his travels, could have had many misconceptions about a country a mere two hours flying-time away. But that’s his ex

cuse for his newest travelogue and he made up for past neglect by visiting it five times during the preparation ol the manuscript.

Wake up to New Zealand is the usual meticulous Simpson account beginning at the further tip of the North Island and proceeding to the furthest south Stewart Island not a mountain, glacier, lake, glow worm, river, geyser or boiling mud pool left unturned.

He bussed, flew, trained, shippec and even walked three days on the Milford Track in deluges of rain History, geography, folk-lore, Maor legend, people and personalities hotels, food, drink, tourist gimmicks and worthwhile sights and sites are al catalogued. Occasionally too, there’s a glimpse of Colin Simpson who is disturbed by wars, man’s past, preseni or future inhumanity to man, pollu tion or the wholesale slaughter of deei which have become a New Zealanc pest. (He couldn’t bring himself to eai venison although he occasionally goi lyrical about a fat, juicy beef steak) This book, like all Simpson trave books, is lavishly illustrated wit! colour plates. Although a late-comei to the field it provides excellent background and a guide for anyone contemplating a New Zealand holi day; and is entertaining and infor mative for anyone who isn’t, including this defrocked Kiwi.

Judy Tudor

(WAKE UP TO NEW ZEALAND. By Colin Simpson. Published by A. H. & A. W. Reed Pty Ltd, Wellington, Auckland, Sydney. 5A10.95.)

The red-plumed Raggiana bird of paradise, a treasure of Papua New Guinea which is threatened with extinction. This is from a painting by the late Claire Simpson in Colin Simpson's book Plumes and Arrows(inside New Guinea).