
Transcriber's Note:
A vivid travelogue opens with two friends recalling a Parisian conversation that sparked their longing for the South Pacific. Their recollections drift from the bustling boulevics of the French capital to the promise of untouched lagoons, where strange marine life glitters beneath crystal waters. The authors set the stage with a gentle, reflective tone, emphasizing the allure of simple, untouched cultures and the breathtaking beauty of islands that feel almost mythic.
From the first landing, the narrative invites listeners into a world where European sensibilities meet Polynesian rhythm. The writers blend personal anecdotes with thoughtful observations of the islands’ unique customs, geography, and the quiet charm of daily life. Their aim is not scientific precision but a heartfelt attempt to capture the atmosphere of places that remain largely unknown to most travelers. This opening promises an intimate, leisurely exploration of the South Seas, inviting you to share in the wonder of each sunrise and the subtle mysteries of the islands’ hidden corners.
Language
en
Duration
~9 hours (555K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Sharon Joiner, Melissa McDaniel, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
Jan 30, 2018
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1887–1951
Best known for co-writing Mutiny on the Bounty, he lived a life that was almost as adventurous as his fiction. A World War I aviator and longtime Tahiti resident, he brought travel, danger, and the South Pacific vividly into his books.
View all books
1887–1947
Best known for the adventurous Bounty trilogy, this American novelist and traveler helped turn a real 18th-century mutiny into one of the classic historical tales of the 20th century. His life abroad, wartime service, and years in the South Pacific gave his writing a vivid sense of place.
View all books
by James Norman Hall

by James Norman Hall

by James Norman Hall, Charles Nordhoff

by Charles Nordhoff

by Friedrich Gerstäcker

by Richard Ligon

by Guido Gozzano