It described his thoughts (I assume from his journal) and his narrative about sailing around the Pacific Islands i.e. Cook Islands, Samoa and surrounding areas. It was interesting to note his attitude and the various scenes that confronted him in being the very first 'papalagi' or European that had set foot on some of the islands.
It was also interesting to read his account of what happened when Christianity first reached the shores of Samoa in that there was much warring and civil battles were being fought amongst paramount chiefs over land in Samoa in 1830s and it was through Fauea, a Samoan translator, that Rev. John Williams himself credits for being able to bring about the smooth transition from a so-called 'heathen' state with people in-fighting to bringing about a new religion that was about peace and not taking things as other Europeans were known for doing.
I think the sad thing for me was in reading of some of the attitudes both positive and negative in the society at the time i.e. Rev. John Williams writings discussing ideas of 'savagery', 'heathen' etc. although he was quite surprised to see that Samoa itself was very clean and structured. It was also interesting to note the ways in which women and girls were portrayed and seen at that time as women would be topless and with only a string of long leaves around their waist except for special occasions whereupon tapa/siapo and fine matting was worn.
He also told of some of the undesireable men who left different European places bound for the islands to escape but bringing with them their attitudes. I think the special thing for me was being able to read and almost be transported to his time and place there i.e. in being able to read about his experiences of visiting Samoa some 200 years ago when some of my ancestors were alive.
Such a neat blessing to read...
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