Pure Escapism

• Book: The Coconut Wireless: A Travel Adventure in Search of the Queen of Tonga
• Location: Tonga
• Author: Simon Michael Prior

Review Author: Sleekpony

I could feel the white of the sand and the blue of the ocean as the author took me on a tour of the paradise islands of Tonga.

The book follows the author’s quest to follow his love to New Zealand, and see the Queen of Tonga on the way; for sentimental reasons, which the author explains beautifully. This was a connection I didn’t know I had with the story. I stayed in City Garden Lodge in Aukland, New Zealand, which used to be Sãlote, the Queen of Tonga’s embassy. Now, it is a backpackers’ hostel with a difference – a gorgeous wooden house surrounded by a tranquil green oasis of trees and lawns, which languishes in a historic part of the city. While I was there, I read The Great Gatsby. Simon’s book would have been an even more perfect accompaniment!

I was hooked as soon as I started reading, finding out how Simon and his girlfriend, Fiona, overcame visa difficulties and raised money for the trip by working at a steam fair! The book has a witty, easy-to-read and engaging style, and I felt transported by the story. The author’s descriptions of the islands, the wonderful people they met, and his underwater adventures made me feel like an invisible buddy on the trip.

The only thing I don’t understand is how he could ever leave this paradise, or re-acclimatise back to life in civilisation. I guess I will find out in Book 2!

I won a copy of this book in a competition, but this is an honest, unbiased, and unsolicited review left because I so enjoyed the book!

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