Following the success of my first book ‘The Boat Ride Home’, I knew I had much more to write. Before I began writing ‘The Boat Ride Home’ one of the suggestions of the publishers was that as a first time author I should keep the book to a maximum of no more than 200 pages, first to keep the new readers attention and second to keep the cost of the book down. As it was it ran into 238 pages and I knew I could have written more. So with the encouragement of friends, continuing interest in the book and amazement at this writing skill I never knew I had, I decided to write this second book.

                  The approach to this book was quite different. Although the style hadn’t changed I was able to write it without any restraint. I was able to deliver the stories in a more natural way, allowing the narrative to flow without ‘let or hindrance’ so to speak. I enjoyed this writing experience more because of that. It remains to be seen if it appeals to the reading public.

                 It begins with my first experiences of complete freedom and then explores that journey through childhood adventures, and influences of the people around me. It describes my years in the fishing industry and the transition into dive tourism and my growing interest in related marine environmental issues which continues to this day.

And somehow amongst it all I managed to have a marriage, raise a child, circle the globe one way or the other and have some incredible attendant adventures. I’ve been blessed with a life that hasn’t been ‘main stream’ in any way shape or form and I’ve been given this opportunity to share it through this format in the hope that it might spur others to test their potential, give themselves a chance, see what’s out there. 

            In Memory of Michael Maas 1955-1997     

Although the book is able to stand alone, its theme certainly follows on and goes into more detail than ‘The Boat Ride home’. It is more of my life’s journey and observations (As some wag said, Its all about you isn’t it!) and as with the first book I hope that the experiences I have written about and the way I dealt with some of them ring familiar with readers, sometimes raise a chuckle and give a glimmer of hope in the face of the occasional life’s challenge.