I met Stacey and Ken through a Women Who Sail Australia Gathering a few years ago and I was honoured that they attended my book launch for Salvage in Sarong. Through reading Stacey’s book I have learned so much more than through a casual conversation. I truly loved this book. It gives me great pleasure to write a review :


‘NAKAA’S AWAKENING – Land of Matang’ is a fascinating read. Stacey King has captured
the essence of the life of the Banabans living and working with the ex patriot people on Ocean Island, Fiji. I was riveted all the way through and did not want the book to end. I’m so pleased there are sequels coming. I want to know what happens to all the characters as the story was made especially interesting as many are Stacey’s relatives. Well researched and passionately written obviously showing the authors sensitive and deep understanding of the life lived at the time.. I learned so much about the challenges of phosphate mining and the impact on the locals.Beautifully told and as a sailor myself, as well as having lived in a remote community in Papua New Guinea I could identify with the life. Stacey has indeed left an enduring legacy to the Banaban people.

This is a story that will appeal to everyone. It has it all. History, romance, drama, and an exotic location. Escapism at its best and made even more appealing in that it is based on a true story. I might just have to read it again while I wait for the sequel.

Linda Frylink Anderson

I received a message from Ineke on yacht Zeezwaluw currently in Horta, Azores, North Atlantic Ocean. We last saw them in July 2012, the day we left the Azores for Portugal. Lati’s sign I painted is still there! A bit of graffiti on the one above but Lati’s name our names and the kangaroo still clear.
In 2015 my Dutch cousins Hans and Liesbeth visited Horta and found Lati’s sign also!
it was a big accomplishment for us to sail Lati an old 31ft wooden Kim Holman yacht which Bill had ‘salvaged’ to make sea worthy from the Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. 25 days at sea is our longest ocean passage but we made it.

Despite continual engine troubles we made it to Portugal and eventually Greece and Turkey. Bill still misses Lati a sturdy little ship which provided us with so many adventures.

Her story is captured in my book ‘Salvage in my Sarong’ available direct from me, Boatbooks or in Iluka Emporium, Iluka NSW

The outboard didn’t like old fuel so a bit of rowing fun instead.

Social media seems to have taken over and I’m not posting here very often. This blog has the history of 13 years of adventures so I will try to update it more frequently! Valiam has her own berth here and we haven’t sailed her for a while due to land projects but she will come into her own once more in the future I’m sure, the grand lady of 26 years she is now. Winter in Qld is as beautiful as ever.
Wherever you are in the world, I hope you are safe and ok. We are fine and I guess Australia is lucky having water all around us.