Some interesting fun facts

[Paige Alvarado]

I am all about adventurous eating, but one thing that I couldn't quite grasp was the whale blubber in Iceland. I can just picture spooning fish jelly into my mouth and it sounds awful! The puffin burgers sounded pretty tasty, though! And the Melona bars made me crave sweetness. I found that you can buy them at asian markets here in the states!

[Katherine Smith]

I found the Kava ceremony particularly interesting since I have not heard of anything similar here in the United States. I am also fascinated by Japanese cultures and their vending machines. I did not know that New Zealand does not have any animals that are deadly to humans despite being so close to Australia. When I think of New Zealand I always imagine the sheep that roam on the hills which are more of a nuisance than anything else. I laughed very hard at the idea of everything in Australia wanting to kill you even if most of it can't.

[ninski]

Although I've never eaten dog, I've known for years that some people do, so that part of the book wasn't a surprise. But PUFFIN burgers?? Seriously? Wow.

You are so right... the puffin burgers stuck out for me too... I saw puffins once on an island off the Hebridean coast and they are hugely cute. Does anyone remember those old sketches when a man would stand behind a counter and walk along, slowly bending his knees, which you couldn´t see, so it looked like he was disappearing down a flight of steps? Well puffins walk exactly like that down into their burrows. Chin up, straight back, body upright, disappearing down a hole. Reading about them in this book brought that memory back to me!

[Laura Lee]

Although I've never eaten dog, I've known for years that some people do, so that part of the book wasn't a surprise. But PUFFIN burgers?? Seriously? Wow.

You are so right... the puffin burgers stuck out for me too... I saw puffins once on an island off the Hebridean coast and they are hugely cute. Does anyone remember those old sketches when a man would stand behind a counter and walk along, slowly bending his knees, which you couldn´t see, so it looked like he was disappearing down a flight of steps? Well puffins walk exactly like that down into their burrows. Chin up, straight back, body upright, disappearing down a hole. Reading about them in this book brought that memory back to me!

What a fun memory! Thanks for sharing. Great visual description!

[Falconcrest]

I was also blown away by the availability of vending machines even in the most rural parts of japan and those strange sweets they kept eating.

[iknwuzoh]

New Zealand is a place of tourists. Millions come to this country just to experience nature. Tourism can be a good way to spend your holidays. Being surrounded by cows is a fun fact.

[NetMassimo]

I add another vote for the vending machines in Japan. For me it was one of the most hilarious bits of the novel.

[sunmuth]

I've always wondered about the New Zealand thing. At first I thought it was because it was an island, but a) it isn't that small of an island and b) other islands have predatory animals.

[joshfee77]

The variety of vending machines available in Japan definitely fascinated me. And New Zealand's lack of killer wildlife - especially when we have so many deadly species here in Australia - is intriguing. Combine that with its incredible scenery and it must be an amazing place to live!

[djr6090]

I marveled at the unabashed discussion the travelers has with the natives in the got tub. Do men really openly discuss using Viagra and the relative effectiveness of the dosage?!!

[Raju Chacko]

Here is a couple that I found:

1. The amazing Japanese 'hot-pack' (see p.54). Sam gets healed from a sprain sustained in Japan in about 36 hours using a hot-pack! I found from the Internet that the Japanese hot-pack is also known as 'Kairo' and in fact, if you're interested, you can order it from some online stores (including Amazon, I think). Here's an article on it -> https://matcha-jp.com/en/1444. Kairo keeps the body warm in winter for up to 12 hours. It also aids in the healing of muscular ailments like sprains and backaches as well as menstrual cramps.

2. "Melona bars” in South Korea (p.193). Melona bars are extra-delicious, ice-cream like confections made of sugar, chemicals, and artificial melon flavoring in South Korea.

[DorcasToo]

Definitely the Japanese vending machines that can cater for some not usual needs. I am curious to see that one.

[Saraion]

Japan was fascinating to me and Fiji was the most exciting of all with its exciting adventures.

[Maríe Wamakima]

The 'man missions' not only introduced exotic picturesque sceneries. There were interesting tidbits to be garnered about the different areas. I, for example, marveled that there are no wild animals that can kill humans in New Zealand. The northern lights were also a wonder.

Did you also find some intetesting fun facts?

Wow, I haven't read the book yet but wild animals that DO NOT KILL is mind blowing!

[Verna Coy]

In a humorous way...I noticed the interesting and fun fact that "a can of beer is the international male symbol of friendship and acceptance." This book brings a lot of smiles as one reads it!