Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Lost In Shangri-La

 
 
 
Imagine this...you are reading a book late at night inside a cabin at a state park in Georgia, which sits very near the edge of a mountain gorge.  As you are reading the book, you realize that the description of what you are reading is so very near to what is just outside your door that it makes you raise your eyebrows a bit at the similarities of the settings.  This is what happened to me in April when I was at Cloudland Canyon State Park...

The book is "Lost In Shangri-La" by Mitchell Zuckoff.  It is the true story of an airplane crash in the side of a hidden mountain valley in New Guinea in 1945 and there were only three survivors, two men and one woman.  The plane ride was to have been a "treat" for those who were stationed in Hollandia, Indonesia during the war.   The survivors had to hack their way through thick trees and underbrush and rushing mountain rivers only to be confronted by the natives of New Guinea, who had never seen any white people before, but the natives did have a legend that one day, white people would come from the sky...

The account of how they interacted with the native Dani Tribe, how they were finally located, how paratroopers dropped supplies to them and the miraculous way of how they were finally rescued is something that you should read for yourself! 

24 comments:

  1. They were lucky to get out of New Guinea alive. Some of the indigenous tribes there are headhunters. Remember how Michael Rockefeller disappeared there?

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    1. You would be fascinated by this book and by the Dani people.
      There was much fear from the survivors, but they came to truly respect the natives, and when it came time to leave, there were tears on both sides. An incredible story, I hope you can read it.

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  2. Sounds like a truly gripping story, Kay!
    And I am glad that you did not have to hack your way out of the state park :-)

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    1. It IS a gripping story, Meike, you should read it!!

      And you know, since I was with my Dad and my brother, I would not have worried over anything. You must know they could hack their way out of anything!! :-)

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  3. Oh my! This sounds like an amazing adventure worth reading.

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    1. It is, Kay, and it is interesting to read how sexist the writers were at the time about the beautiful woman survivor.
      It seems she got more respect from the Dani people than from the American press.

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  4. It sounds like an exciting book. But I would have been even more excited to imagine myself IN the book, like you did. Wow! that is quite a coincidence, to find yourself somewhere that could be the spot you're reading about.

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    1. I had no idea that the cabin would be so very close to the mountain gorge! As I was reading that book that evening and began to read of the airplane crash, it brought the story very much alive to me, to see the rocky side of the mountain, the rushing mountain streams and all the thick, thick greenery to get through...the vegetation would have been different but it brought it alive to me very much indeed!

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  5. I don't know if I would want to be rescued from Cloudland Canyon State Park, but Arlynda keeps insisting that I am just not quite right in the head. Sigh.

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    1. Jerry,
      You are so right, I would not want to be rescued from Cloudland Canyon, I would LIVE there if they would let me!!

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  6. Oooh, that sounds fascinating! I have ZERO time to read lately with both girls home but maybe I can read this in the Fall. Sounds gripping actually! Hope you're well, Kay!

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    1. It's a very quick read and one that I think you would also like. It's amazing to read about the relationship that developed between the survivors and the Dani Tribe.
      RESPECT goes such a very long way. I would love to see what you think of this book!

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  7. a true story! i can only imagine.

    i am writing a story this morning, a book that cries to be finally finished, and i can't help thinking it is nowhere as interesting as the plot you so nicely describe!

    your description of this vacation sounds so snug and cozy

    love
    kj

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    1. kj,
      The best of luck to you and to your "baby", your book!!
      And I thank you very much for so saying that I nicely described this plot! I don't do book reviews, I do book suggestions! I don't want to tell you everything, I want you to read the book!!
      Cloudland Canyon is truly special place and that cabin WAS snug and cozy, my Dad can build the BEST fire in a fireplace of anyone I know!!!
      Love,
      KAY

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  8. Having read books by a missionary i know who worked in Papua New Guinea, i think this would be an amazing story.

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    1. It is an amazing story.
      Please, tell me about the books by the missonary that you know, those sound like books that I would want to read also!

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  9. Ah, exciting, I really want to read that book! I have to check if I can get it in Norwegian.

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    1. Would love to know if you get to read it, let me know!! :-)

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  10. The book sounds gripping.
    I love that header - so serene.

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    1. Thanks, Terry! That photo was taken from Indian Island, a new trail at Stone Mountain, and this is Stone Mountain in the very bright sunshine on our anniversary on June 4th, taken by Richard!

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  11. Hello Kay,

    I'm back!! (again) Anyhow, you live really in a cabin, or are you on vacation? At first I thought you were describing a horror book. Well, that would've been creepy, especially if the location matches your current location. hehe.

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    1. Hey Denise!
      Glad you are back, hope you are doing well!
      No, I wish I did live in a cabin right beside a beautiful, rugged mountain gorge! I was on a quick weekend getaway with my family in April celebrating my Dad's 86th birthday!
      Take care, and don't be a stranger...stop by again.

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  12. Wow, what an incredible plot. Sounds like a good read.

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    1. And it is all a true story, that is what makes it so interesting!

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