Great Reads for Great Readers

Around the Adriatic, by Tony Straw.

         Levin author Tony Straw opens his second book of travels with the Christchurch earthquake of 2011, a major disaster for New Zealand which killed 185 people and changed the city’s landscape and way of life permanently.  It also changed emotional landscapes, too;  he and Lee, his partner of many years, finally decide to Tie the Knot, Engage in Wedded Bliss – get MARRIED, not least because, out of the rubble eventually appears in handy proximity a building announcing it is the Dept. of Births, Marriages and Deaths.  Tony is intrigued because he’d never noticed it on his travels to work and back and, after some discussion, he and Lee decide to avail themselves of the department’s marriage service which turns out to be a very happy and tasteful occasion – and after the celebrations, the perfect excuse to plan a honeymoon.

            And what a wonderful itinerary is planned:  their first cruise ever on board the liner Celebrity Silhouette, fifteen decks containing twenty-eight hundred passengers, leaving from Venice, where Tony and Lee will join the ship, having completed a motoring tour of the Balkans beforehand.  Their ship’s ports of call also include Balkan ports, as well as Malta, Sicily, Naples and Rome:  this is the Honeymoon of everyone’s dreams!  In theory.  In a perfect world.

            Tiresome reality at Shanghai airport cracks Tony and Lee’s rose-coloured glasses, especially after a two-hour wait on the runway, all belted up and ready to go, waiting for someone’s permission to take off.  They are not in the best frame of mind to start touring the Italian Lake district before they explore Croatia when they eventually get to their first destination, BUT!  A good night’s sleep will restore anyone’s good humour – even driving with the prospect of a Tom Tom GPS nicknamed Tomasina who, in the grand tradition of all GPSs, is definitely a law unto herself as pilot of their rental car. 

The monumental tussle of wills is just beginning as Tony and Lee start their journey on what they hope will be lesser-known country roads instead of the huge motorway system – the scenery and accommodation will be much less ‘touristy’, more authentic.  (If Tomasina allows it.)

            Especially in the Balkans, where there has been so much recent tragedy and conflict:  the locals are very resilient and happy to help, and they are possessed of an offbeat sense of humour that our travellers find very appealing – and that is one of the strengths of this book -  Tony’s great attention to detail, and the fascinating background and historical facts that add to his wonderful scenic descriptions, not to mention the mouthwatering descriptions of food and drink consumed (Tony and Lee are gourmets of long standing).

            If finances prevent you from following in their footsteps, then get a vicarious thrill from the printed page, especially aboard the Liner Celebrity Silhouette:  Tony is such an engaging, humorous writer that it will almost be like sitting at the same table. Everyone who reads this book will enjoy his honeymoon, too!   FIVE STARS.