A song to Pacific islands rooted in a far-ranging
journey, Reach for Paradise is the Pacific addition to
the world's fine travel literature. Written as he gained
deep knowledge of the islands and their peoples, their
history and traditions, the influences that have shaped
their destiny, Rayner's story conveys the mystery and
marvel of travel to destinations denied most people.
Intent on exploring what if anything has survived of the
paradise celebrated by travelers of past centuries,
Rayner bought a sailboat and set off, picking up both
boat and island knowledge as he ploughed 30,000 miles of
ocean. A personal journey of delight, Reach for Paradise
is rich with information gleaned from Pacific peoples,
literature and observation. For Pacific voyagers, Reach
for Paradise is an invaluable source. If a guide, rather
than explaining how to get there it is the sort that
will tell thoughtful adventurers why to go. And what you
miss if you can't. Protected uniquely by distance and
time, Pacific islands are extraordinary, often meeting
the old definition of that devalued word "paradise" as a
place that inspires blissful contentment. Island spirits
and magic, landscapes, the splendor of coral reefs, the
gift economy, Rayner defies you to argue that planet
Earth has any better elixir for a world-weary
traveler.
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