Product Description

The indigenous people of Borneo use blowpipes and poisoned arrows. They wear "pan-handle" haircuts, live in communal dwellings and some tribes have mastered the art of making themselves "invisible" in the jungle. But above all, they have a reputation as fearsome headhunters. Having cast aside his Armani jeans and bought up all the jungle equipment he could find, the author sets off to experience and explore the wilds of Borneo, one of the last relatively unknown places on earth. His only concern: whether he would be able to find a decent cup of espresso in the jungle. But life in the wilderness turns out to be quite agreeable - with wonderful (if unusual) food, all-night longhouse parties, drunken natives and breathtaking surroundings. In a journey that took 12 months of planning and preparation, the author takes on the mighty Rajang river, travelling up its many tributaries into the heart of Borneo - visiting remote longhouses, isolated frontier towns, government outposts, logging camps and nomadic tribes deep in the jungle.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #145310 in Books
• Published on: 2001-03-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

FHM
'Enough to make anyone want to dig out their passport.'

Wanderlust
'Wassner sets off to experience the wilds of Borneo and finds he actually quite enjoys visiting remote villages, government outposts and tribes.'

Focus Magazine
'With his plan to explore and experience the wiklderness of this fascinating country...patience and lack of arrogance...make for a warm and funny story.'

Customer Reviews

An espresso with Wassner
This book is the book that made me want to start reading books again. It tells the story of a middleaged australian that suddenly feels the urge to go and get aquainted with the headhunters of Borneo. Not satisfied with a conventional touristadventure. He researches his trip for a year and finally ends up on one of the most interesting adventures in the northern part of Borneo I have ever read about. He meets all kind of people and his fascination with the various tribes just make you want to quit your job and, pack your bags and leave for
a life in the jungle. Just remember to bring a large bag of good coffee beans.

The crossover from western stresses to primitive values.
John Wassner gives a relatively light view on the ways of the indigenous people of Borneo, travelling with them in converted planes and by foot through remote areas of Borneo, meeting tribes who may well have never met white people. He describes how some people are trying to educate them in modern ways so they have a better standard of living, whilst highlighting the plights of those that have sucumbed to these "improvements". At one level this is a great travelogue which can be easily read, at another it's a facinating glimpse into the potential of the way of life for these people and indicates what western culture can learn from them. Even if John does maintain his caffine cravings!

Great title - great book
Great title - great book
I don't tend to read travel books (drawn to this one by the eye catching cover & title) but John Wassner gets the delicate balance right. You feel you are there with him and he doesn't dwell on excessive detail so it is a very entertaining read.
In a strange way despite the harsh environment the people of Borneo face everyday and the struggle for survival at times, I envied their simple and stress free life.
With the forest being felled at an alarming rate I wonder how long before their live will be ruined by the western world.