1. ISBN13: 9780767921992
2. Condition: NEW
3. Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

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.

Customer Review :

Not As Good As The First

Good, but I don't really think it was as good as the first. Though still very laugh out loud funny, Troost seemed to have been trying to hard to achieve what appeared to be more easily gained in his first book.

After finding himself in a boring 9-5 type of job, Maarten and Sylvia can't wait to get back to the life that they had had on Tarawa. This time it's the more settled Vanuatu and Fiji. Though still a bit rustic, with Kava, anything is doable, and so Maarten and Sylivia set out for this adventure.

This lifestyle doesn't seem as challenging as Tarawa, but still they do find themselves in a quagmire to two, but they are veterans at this paradise thing so what are a few cannibal, bugs and mother nature. Besides, when you have the local chiefs living next door. Life's a piece of cake.

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pleased

this book was in good shape and shipped to me right away - thank you

Rating :

Everything I was looking for in a book about Vanuatu and the Pacific Islands

Absolutely, hands down one of the best traveling books I've read. Maarten brings the Pacific Islands to his readers with humor and honesty. A must read if you want a some history and laugh out loud stories.

Rating :

I'd pay good money to travel with Troost

I read Troost first book, Sex Lives of the Cannibals, twice. I read Getting Stoned three times. I have read several of the user reviews and will add Amen, to what they write. This is not a typical travel guide, more like a guide to living and putting up with the locals, who have no idea what a hot shower means to an American. But the book is quite fun to read. Again and again. In fact, I think I'll put on the night table right now.

Rating :

enjoyable read

This is the lesser of the three books by Troost, if only because there is a bit of the ex-pat feel to it. The book is still a great and quick read, with overtones of serious kava usage (actually made me buy some Vanuatu kava, which is quite potent). The book is quite funny still.

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More reviews...

1. ISBN13: 9781741047929
2. Condition: NEW
3. Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

Editorial Review :

Grab a Lonely Planet guide and discover the benefits of comprehensive on-the-ground research. We've checked out every island, every resort, every restaurant. We've paddled lagoons, sampled coffees, croissants and cocktails and lounged poolside to make sure you get the best out of your stay in paradise.

Lonely Planet guides are written by experts who get to the heart of every destination they visit. This fully updated edition is packed with accurate, practical and honest advice, designed to give you the information you need to make the most of your trip.

In This Guide:

Diving chapter to help find the best of the best beneath the waves
Honest assessment of resorts. Read this book before you book!
Must Dos - what not to miss, plus all the inside secrets

Customer Review :

Updated edition, poor overall quality

I used this guide for travel in New Caledonia, so my comments don't apply to the Vanuatu section.

I was very disappointed in the quality of information presented in this "completely" rewritten edition. Most historical, political, or other contextualizing information is now gone (I suppose due to space constraints?). Some descriptions were oddly incomplete. For instance, the guide did not specifiy how long a certain hike might take, or how far you would need to walk in what sort of conditions.

Since this edition is both a guide on Vanuatu and on New Caledonia, the index and other shared sections of the book are extremely confusing to use. It was not always clear which country a particular entry or health comment was talking about.

However, this edition contains updated telephone contacts and other new information that is simply not available elsewhere. My recommendation is to buy both this AND the previous New Caledonia edition.

Rating :

re: New Caledonia only

i've used this book for visiting New Caledonia only. i've been to NC five or six times for work so i have gotten to know the area pretty well and my feeling about this book is that it just doesn't have a whole lot of content. i realise however that one of the problems is that Noumea has changed dramatically in the past 5 years and to be fair this is the best book available, as far as i know.

if you are going to NC then get the book and read it. however, be prepared to investigate NC beyond the limits of the book otherwise you might have a pretty average holiday.

Rating :

1. ISBN13: 9780892816408
2. Condition: NEW
3. Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

Editorial Review :

Kava, Piper Methysticum, is the most effective relaxing and stress-relieving plant in all of nature. This book is the tale of plant researcher Chris Kilham's investigations into this plant and his far-ranging explorations deep in the South Pacific in search of a source of kava. Kilham takes the reader on an adventurous journey through the mystical native legends, outlandish history, and exciting science surrounding this potent plant. A story replete with pulpit-pounding missionaries, kava-drinking natives, sorcerers, a mysterious Tahitian prince, and the author's own humorous outlook amidst difficult and perilous circumstances, Kava is a must-read for those who love tales of travel and adventure and those interested in plant medicine.

Kava is poised to become an important and now readily available natural alternative to stress-relieving drugs. 

Customer Review :

Solved my search for an insomnia cure

This book gave me the comfort level and impetus to try Kava as a cure for my chronic insomnia. Previously I read and tried melatonin, with no success. Finally a protracted illness lead me to search again. The author gives enough details on the plant, pharmocology, and ethnobotany. There is eight pages of full references for additional research, if desired.

Went to a local health food store / COOP with the book in hand and had the staff present the different brands of Kava in stock. Finally selected a Kava tincture because a salesperson / user said that this is the best form, compared to powdered root, capsules, and other standardized extracts. He said you will get the fastest and most powerful effects with this tincture, especially since the label said it was extracted from Vanuatu Isl 4-8 yr old roots. He was right on target; the tincture gave a white cloudy mixture when a couple of dropperfuls in 1/3 glass of water. It tasted pretty musty, as expected from reading about the Nakamals, native kava bars!! Got a slight numbing of the tongue too! Fell asleep within 30 minutes and did not wake up for 6 hours, refreshed and alert. The next best thing to being there with the author, who wrote a great story.

My first time using tinctures. Normally I use capsules or try to make a tea out of the bark or root. The book told me of the uselessness of making a tea, as heat destoys the kavalactones.

Rating :

An engaging, thought-provoking journey to Vanuatu to find kava suppliers.

We're featuring this book in a section of COCONUT, the Web Guide to the Tropical World. The section is all about kava, and the author's new book comes out at a perfect time, as interest in Kava is growing rapidly all over the world.This book rambles at times, but the story of the author's encounters with a village of ni-Vanuatu people is wonderful and memorable and happily, it forms the bulk of the book.For a full review of Chris Kilham's KAVA book, check out the COCONUT website (which will be making its grand opening in August 1996) at http://www.coconut.com.---- Brian Dear, Editor of "COCONUT"

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Editorial Review :

This is the only travel guidebook available entirely dedicated to Vanuatu - covers all the island groups - explores all options from resort holidays to home-stay in traditional villages - insightful information on diving, island hopping, bushwalking and Melanesian culture. Vanuatu is not as well-known as other South Pacific destinations, but it offers the same attractions; diving, island hopping, bushwalking and relatively unscathed Melanesian culture. The Naghol ('land diving') ceremony of Pentecost Island is the great-great grandparent of bungee jumping. Unlike Lonely Planet's competitor, Moon, we devote a whole guidebook to Vanuatu (Moon covers it in the 'South Pacific Handbook').

Customer Review :

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