Straying from the Flock: Travels in New Zealand

I have always wanted to go to New Zealand, after reading this book it almost feels like I went along on the trip with Alexander Elder. He did a great job of describing the country and it's people, the good and the bad. I also really liked how he included bits of historical facts about each location he visited. The photo's on his website that corresponded to each chapter where also a great bonus. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in knowing more about New Zealand.

I finished Elder's wonderful and rewarding New Zealand travelogue this morning over coffee in Fremantle and I enjoyed the account of his journey from Stewart Island in the far south to Cape Reinga in the far north thoroughly. This book is the best kind of travelogue because the writer presents a reasonable look into the country being visited-its foiables and its positives. This is not to say that the description is tedious and overly factual, after completing the book the reader is left satisfied with as reasonable an account of his journey as is possible given the two month time frame allowed for its completion. I enjoyed Elder's observations about the nature of Australian life as opposed to Kiwi life: its origins, its developement and why, although geographically close, we are so different particularly when seen through the eyes of a visitor. From my perspective here in Australia I found his observations valuable if perhaps overdrawn. I also found many of his thoughts about the huge differences between his native New York City and the life he found in New Zealand interesting. New Zealand's distaste for tipping and litigation is matched only by our own, however Elder's negative comments have fallen on my deaf ears. As a leftist I also found his conclusions on page 209 as to why New Zealand works so well also fitting our life in Australia: health is taken care of, as is education, old age and unemployment. Politically speaking, if a country as small as New Zealand can accomplish these civilities with its few natural resources then the question must be asked why can't other richer countries. Although coming from, as Elder points out, vastly different bckgrounds our two countries have adopted similar governmental parameters with similar positive results. Elder's anecdotes about all the pieces of Kiwi culture that he encountered are wonderful reading: people running homestays, fishing guides, airplane pilots, adventure operators and guides-in short, a reasonable look at Kiwi society. We all realize that it is virtually impossible to encounter the totallity of a society on a holiday but Elder presents us with as complete a picture as armchair travellers will find and for this I reccommend the book very highly. You will have a most satisfying read.

This is good. Elder is a perceptive, well travelled man,who has chosen EXACTLY the best way to research a book on best enjoying this beautiful country. Rather than booking an itinerary of hotels and motels, Elder decides he'll stay only in what NZers call "hosted accommodation." These are small lodges and B & Bs where the owners themselves look after the guests, Its means Elder quickly gets much better travelling access -to new friends, to shared meals, and to the best information on what's best locally. He's told nobody he's writing a travel book, and when occasionally he's unhappy with what he finds, his criticism is scathing. He has an easy narrative style which keeps the pages turning easily, as he travels the length of the country. There's much more here than in conventional "guide books" and its fun. Elder has considerately posted picture from his journey on a website for readers

The "Book Description" under Editorial Reviews (above) accurately describes the book content with the exception of the included side trips to Australia and the Cook Islands. The Australian side trip caused Elder to provide comparisons between the development of Australia and New Zealand which were very interesting and informative. (I would definitely prioritize New Zealand over Australia based upon Elder's insights, although Australia sounds great also.) Reading the book will prepare one for a trip to New Zealand or just provide a vicarious experience of adventurous travel. The book includes a map correlating the book chapters to the geographical location, so that one can quickly reference Elder's notes on the area and his experiences. Elder includes "The Practical Traveler" section at the end of the book, giving advice and tips on flying (booking upgrades and fares), avoiding jet lag, what to pack and wear, and a bibliography of additional reading. Most enjoyable to me were Elder's insights into people and human situations. As a practicing psychiatrist, Dr. Elder looks deeply at the people he meets, and provides good insights into dealing with people and various situations. Upon purchasing a ticket for an uninteresting play or museum, Elder notes that he quickly leaves so as to cut his losses short. (He has already lost the money, why loose the personal time when he could be doing something more rewarding.) Such insights are just good common sense, and embroider the book from beginning to end.

As a New Zealander who has gained a great deal of wisdom from Alexander Elders trading books I had to read this. I expected some combination of travel and trading like Jim Rogers books (`Investment Biker' and `Adventure Capitalist') which I didn't like that much. But Elders book is much better, focussing on New Zealand, its people and history. `Straying From the Flock' compares favourably with Bill Bryson's Australian book `Down Under'. It has to be said though that Bryson has a unique line in self deprecation and is content to accommodate the eccentricities of people he finds. It's these qualities which make his books often so funny. But as a trader Elder has well developed decision making abilities and often moves on before people's eccentricities (often just bad service) really begin to impact on his experience. Elder prefers to dwell on the positive and he obviously loves the country having made many trips here. It's not to say that Elders book lacks a sense of humour. Both authors `suffer' from a heightened awareness of threats to their personal safety. For Bryson this typically is a morbid fear of exotic wildlife like snakes in Australia or bears in Appalachia. But as New Zealand lacks both, Elder substitutes a lack of guards rail on roads and walking tracks; it's just not as amusing. Elder is also dismissive of bungee jumping, paragliding and other activities which he perceives have a lack of safety standards. Each to his own but the biggest threat to life here is tourists' occasional inability to adapt to driving on the other side of the road. This book should appeal to tourists with time, money and a sense of adventure about meeting people, sharing food and wine. It's for people who travel to learn about themselves by exploring the differences in others. It is not a guide for those who want to experience extreme sports activities or for those content to view NZ from a bus eating McDonalds. Trust me, it does taste the same. With photos this could have been a great coffee table book but in its current form it is well produced and cheap. Photos from Elders travels are accessible from his website which is a nice touch. One last thought, Elder with a traders sense of timing made his trip to New Zealand when the exchange rate 40 US cents to the NZ Dollar. The exchange rate is currently 71 cents.