Helen Schreider

“The Drums of Tonkin: An Adventure in Indonesia” (1963) by Helen and Frank Schreider, is a description of their trip by amphibious Jeep (!!), from Jakarta all the way to Timor, crossing the string of islands of Nusa Tenggara, and the streets in between, and they did this in, or just before, 1963. The book is good on the trip itself, like the logistical nightmare of getting fuel, the difficulty of hopping on and off coral-surrounded islands (or getting stuck in the mud, and get 200 show more islanders to pull you out!), the challenges of the offshore currents, and the many negative, but also even more patently positive, encounters with officialdom in a newly independent country. It is somewhat shallower on the descriptions of places and people, and almost non-observant on the political situation in Indonesia, at the time, a far from united country with various rebel organistions as well as the perceived communist threat all vying for power, just before the overthrow of Sukarno. A pity, and a missed opportunity, especially since the authors were journalists. But the adventure is strong enough to carry the book - just get the background from John Keay. And the 1960’s photos! So 1960’s! show less

For thirteen months, on assignment for National Geographic, the Schreiders traversed the entire Indonesian archipelago of 3000 islands. They navigated most of their journey in Tortuga II, a modified Ford GPA WWII Seagoing Jeep. This book describes their trip, including many detailed cultural observations and experiences.

A story of utlimate commitment to an expedition. In this case to drive the length of the America's of which their first attempt failed, but they were still not put off to try again using an amfibious jeep.
The story is very clearly told by I believe Frank while his wife Helen contributed pictures to the book. The couple also had a dog as company and who was an important expedition member. Anyone who likes stories with dogs in would love to read this.

Helen (Armstrong) Schreider (born May 3, 1926) and Frank Schreider (born January 8, 1924; died January 21, 1994) were explorers in the mid 20th century, known for traveling by amphibious jeep. National Geographic hired them after their first independent journey from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego (1954–56). They were the first people to travel the length of the Americas solely by means of their own power. They completed six additional expeditions through National Geographic, working freelance show more at first and later as foreign editorial staff, for fifteen years, from 1956 to 1970. They worked as a team and lived for periods of time in about 50 countries on five continents. Helen and Frank Schreider were known for their ability to write, photograph and film within the cultures they visited. They wrote three books, six major articles for National Geographic, and contributed to nine other books. They also made three separate nationwide speaking tours with their films. show less