>>REVIEW
SO. WE SOLD OUR HOUSE AND RAN AWAY TO THE SOUTH PACIFIC
Gordon Cope
Fifth House, 214 pp.
Calgarians Gordon and Linda Cope got a fine idea one day, and it involved a lot of travel. The title of Gordon’s new book says it all: So. We Sold Our House and Ran Away to the South Pacific.
Cope, whose previous book, A Paris Moment, was also about adventures in a foreign culture, took notes during their wanderings on the other side of the equator. The result is a charming, funny, engaging account of their time spent in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, the Cook Islands and other postcard-worthy destinations.
As he did in his Paris book, Cope stocks South Pacific with a generous supply of historical background, often retold with a mischievous spin. Describing Captain Cook’s 18th century voyages mapping uncharted waters, Cope writes, "Thanks to his endeavours, huge voids in the planet’s geography were filled in, including New Zealand, Australia and much of the west coast of Canada, before he was clubbed to death in the Hawaiian Islands in 1779 by cartography critics."
Some years later, a sea captain’s girlfriend was killed when she was caught up in a fight between a group of white sailors and cannibalistic native islanders. "Not wanting to waste a good meal, the Rarotongans baked her in a ground oven and served her up, no doubt, with a nice Merlot."
Throughout their island-hopping, we learn the Copes have to keep an eye on their dwindling bank account, as well as their visas’ expiry dates, a reality that gives Gordon’s fish-out-of-water books an aura of authenticity and practicality not often seen in typical travel writing. He and Linda have to be resourceful, even downright cheap at times, yet they never seem to miss an opportunity for a first-class restaurant meal with a view of a Pacific sunset and a fine bottle of wine – Merlot or otherwise.
They’re a personable pair, always eager to learn about a country or island from the locals, so they’re rarely treated as tourists. This allows them, and us, to get beyond the superficial and into the genuine, such as their foray to an area of Sydney called the Domain. A newly-made friend tips them off to a jazz festival there, to which they take some cold chicken, salad, fruit and a bottle of bubbly, for a simple but unforgettable experience.
Intriguing characters are in as much abundance as good eats. The list includes a pair of lovesick Rarotonga teenagers for whom Cope plays matchmaker, would-be bar owner Greg in Sydney, and Cook Islander Papa Manu, famous for his parties.
In all, the book is a wealth of anecdotes and recollections that will captivate the armchair traveller and frequent flyer alike. Cope has produced another winner, and we should all keep our fingers crossed in the hope that he’ll keep travelling and taking notes. |
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