In our current era, the #metoo movement has emerged as a powerful voice across social media and various media channels. Before this recent surge of women bravely voicing their experiences, there existed a long period marked by a troubling silence regarding the actions of bullies, predators, and perpetrators.

Tina Dreffin knows this silence all too well, having been one of its victims. Her story is not merely about the struggles she faced; it is a tale of synchronicity, where pivotal events in her life converged to bring her and Peter together. With her partner and their family, she embarked on an extraordinary sea voyage, exploring the most exotic and significant corners of the world. In this journey, she sought to rediscover herself and uncover the person she was truly meant to be. This book is the first in a three-part series that chronicles her “maritime walkabout.”

Having previously worked with remote communities largely populated by the traditional custodians of the land, I’ve always been drawn to learning about their rich cultures. Thus, it should come as no surprise that the title Into Africa instantly caught my attention. The early pages, which include a definition of Australian Aboriginal terminology and an introduction to the author’s personal journey, propelled this book to the top of my reading list.

Did I find what I had been searching for?

I uncovered many valuable insights within these pages. I particularly appreciated the unique blend of relatable optimism and idealistic practicality woven throughout the narrative. While Tina and her partner’s love and aspirations transcend ordinary boundaries, they remain two relatable individuals navigating their way to one another. As someone who adored fairy tales in my youth, I find stories of couples who endure challenges to stay together immensely appealing. In many ways, as Tina described her relationship with Peter, I couldn’t help but reflect on how she mirrored my own experiences and how my husband reminded me of Peter. It’s fascinating how the mind can draw connections from seemingly random coincidences!

I also admired Tina’s resilience and unwavering faith that propelled her forward, especially during her darkest moments.

During my time as a military cadet training to become a naval officer, one of our activities involved sailing. I’ve had the chance to experience life on a yacht, albeit not as the captain of a luxury vessel, but rather as a “captain” of a smaller dinghy. As I read through Into Africa, I realised that there were still many nautical terms and concepts I had yet to fully grasp. This realisation sparked a wave of nostalgia. While I served as a naval officer, I had my share of dogwatch shifts, replenishment duties, undocking, and docking procedures, along with various other responsibilities aboard one of the largest ships in the Philippine Navy. Those experiences, however, belong to a different chapter of my life.

One particular quote struck me: “Wars would not be initiated if more of our countrymen travelled to foreign lands and stayed awhile.”

Coming from someone who used to serve in the navy, it might seem ironic, but I genuinely believe that deep down, we all yearn for peace, perhaps even more than we openly admit. Foreign travel can indeed foster cultural acceptance, and working alongside colleagues from diverse backgrounds can further this understanding. Reading books can also expand our horizons without breaking the bank. Respecting one another, seeking common ground, and celebrating our differences may be challenging, but it is a path worth pursuing.

While there were areas in the manuscript that could benefit from improvement, they did not overshadow its redeeming qualities.

For instance, the photos included in the book could have been larger for better appreciation. However, I appreciated that they were strategically placed at the start of each chapter rather than at the end, as is common in many other works. This layout reinforces the reality of the non-fictional narrative, reminding us that these are true stories about real people and events, not mere fabrications.

I did notice one quote that seemed out of place within the chapter it was associated with, and another quote appeared twice in separate chapters. Nevertheless, these were not significant errors. Overall, the quotes encapsulated the essence of each portion’s events, serving as a unifying element throughout the memoir.

I found a handful of typographical errors, but they did not detract from my appreciation of the story. Even the errors in the final pages remained helpful, contributing positively to the narrative despite their imperfections.

Initially, I had some reservations about the deviation from the original Australian meaning of the term “walkabout.” However, I don’t believe the author intended any disrespect towards its spiritual and cultural significance for the Aboriginal communities that cherish this tradition. They say that any form of publicity is still publicity, and perhaps this book and the series as a whole can aid in spreading awareness, understanding, and respect for the Australian Aboriginal people rather than the opposite.

So, returning to the earlier question, did I truly find what I was looking for in this piece?

I’ll leave it to you, dear reader, to decide based on what I’ve shared in this review.