eWire
June 11, 2002
Query letter
by Tom Booth
Contact:
Tom Booth
541-345-9206
bettyandtom@earthlink.net
In terms of great escapes, soft adventure, and of traveling - not touring - in the South Pacific, Micronesia, S.E. Asia too, I can enthusiastically provide “How To” material, and “destination” stories to unusual and back of beyond areas.
For example:
In South Pacific District Centers, i.e. Tahiti, The Cooks, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, The Solomons, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and in most of Micronesia there are fleets of working ships - copra boats, island traders, mission vessels, government field service ships and interisland ferries that will carry passengers to the outer islands of their district. Some of these vessels (rarely mentioned in travel brochures) provide all amenities in air-conditioned splendor. Others are more austere; some require passengers to provide their own food, which is like going camping on a ship. But all of them (inexpensively) provide a warts and all South Seas experience.
Then, there are the bulletin boards of yacht clubs - all over the Pacific, from Honolulu to Singapore. Displayed on these boards unusual opportunities often exist. Share expense cruises are found there, so are crew wanted notices. I’ve taken advantage of some of them, and can present them from a “how to” perspective or a narrative approach.
There is a train that runs from Singapore to Bangkok - via Kuala Lumpur, Penang, both in Malaysia, then on to Surat Thani, and Bangkok, in Thailand. This may be one of the best rail runs in the world. I’ve made this trip three times, and can provide the necessary details.
I am the author of two guidebooks, one on the South Pacific, one on Micronesia; the Hunter Publishing Company did them. I will be happy to provide clips from these books - and clips from other published travel pieces as well.
I have pictures that are appropriate to all these stories.
Many thanks,
Tom Booth