After a chance encounter, the author quitted his teaching job and went to the Solomon Islands on a mission to help a fishing village find a way to support itself and improve the villagers' lives.

It's a nice read, with moments of humor but not over-the-top, and more at himself than at the natives. Especially during this stressful time of the year, I totally can feel the appeal of a simple island life.

In one chapter, the author fell off the boat and was stranded on a no-man island. His almost deadly accident failed to, however, elicit much response from the villagers afterwards. I think, with plenty of coconuts for drinks and fruits and fishes abound, for the villagers his adventure is as dangerous as our car breaking down in a small town.

I do have some concern about their money-raising project though. I hope the author managed to make it environmentally sustainable. I would love to know how the village is faring now, but can't seem to find any info online.

This book couldn't make it into the last round of the box, but finally did for this!

taken from the Around the World Bookbox