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 Well written and interesting book Sep 02, 2008
I have been to Australia three times, from East to West. At least I thought I had been to Australia until reading Cynthia Clampitt's Waltzing Australia.
Waltzing Australia is Cynthia Clampitt's record of a long trip she took to the world's largest island, the driest continent - the only nation that is a continent. Through her record we share this trip. This book is not your normal travel story...
First of all Cynthia didn't go to Australia for vacation. She didn't go for altruistic reasons, to help the locals. And she damned sure didn't go for business opportunities.
She had an obsession.
Cynthia quit her job and off she was for five months in Australia. Starting out in Queensland she headed in a westerly direction then looped back around and headed East until she got to Sydney. And she soaked up everything. Nature. History. Geology. People.
Waltzing Australia is a well written account of this trip, written almost as if it were a lengthy personal journal (just over 500 pages). But I say "almost as if" this were a journal because Cynthia didn't just keep track of her experiences - she kept track of the essence of this large, dry continent.
When reading Waltzing Australia I got the distinct feeling that Cynthia Clampitt and I have lots in common. Well, then again, maybe not. I have traveled the world but have done it in a much different way. Cynthia started with Australia out of college. I started with the Navy after high school. Cynthia moved back into "normal life" in the United States. After a few decades, I, on the other hand, am still overseas. Cynthia chose a location to know well and chose to live frugally. I chose to build my businesses around an area so that coming and going were up to me. But we have that wanderlust in common. In reading her opening chapters I understood this obsession of Clampitt's. I had the same obsession growing up in rural Arkansas, wanting for the life of a world traveler. And of all the enchanting places that I have been, whether I lived there or only visited, I share the sentiment of the bittersweet description Cynthia Clampitt gave of leaving Australia.
It will always still be there...
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
I could almost smell the scent of eucalyptus leaves coming out of the page Feb 10, 2008
This is a compelling tale of adventure and dreaming. Cynthia takes us on a journey and climbs her 'Everest'. Many Australians make similar journeys to Cynthia- it is still a challenging country to travel through. Yet as we share her travels something becomes clear; there is one thing that most of us cannot do.... and that is to write about our adventures and dreams in such an engrossing way. This is what marks this travel book apart from other similar tales; it is a piece of literature. As an Australian I could almost smell the scent of eucalyptus leaves coming out of the page. (This is the highest praise an Australian can offer!)
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Wonderful adventure! Nov 12, 2007
This is such a wonderful and compelling book! As a nature photographer, I have a sense of adventure and a love of the outdoors that is shared by Cynthia and expertly conveyed to the reader along the way. I was amazed at her journey and felt I was right there with her. I found myself reading slower during the last few chapters of the book as I didn't want the journey to end. This book really brings to life the wonders of Australia and I admire Cynthia's adventurous spirit and joy in discovering all that nature has to offer.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Marvelous, compelling and fresh Sep 28, 2007
What a lovely book: a smart combination of memoir and a fresh view on the usual travel story. No one could write this well about travels in Australia without a true love for the country, its people, and its remarkable landscape. Cynthia Clampitt surprises us with a writing talent and story-telling technique that is tough to master, yet she is consistently compelling to read. She puts her full energy into explaining culture, history, anthropology, animal life, and the rigors of being a woman on a long solo journey. Honestly, I'm only 147 pages into this big book, but could not wait to share my enthusiasm for Waltzing Australia.
Helen Gallagher, author: Release Your Writing: Book Publishing, Your Way
1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Don't Miss This Dance Through a Captivating Place Jul 24, 2007
I felt like I was along as Cynthia covers 20,000 miles of this fascinating continent. "We" visited deserts, rainforests, mountains, and parks. Small towns and cities alike unfolded before me as I was treated to discovery by someone who doesn't just look, but "sees." Unlike travelogues that just list the same old things over and over, I felt like I was actually visiting this bewitching place. (I'm pretty sure I got a tan just reading about hikes through the desert and dips in wilderness pools!)Waltzing Australia is a sparkling example of a writer who can use words to take you along on a wondrous adventure.
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