Two Innocents Abroad (Press, 14 August 1965)

In the book "We Never Meant to Go So Far" by Mavis Ronson, published in 1965, the author recounts the adventurous journey of two 19-year-old girls from London who embarked on what was initially intended to be a short holiday in 1955. Unexpectedly, their trip extended over five years, during which they explored nearly every country and significant island across both the Near and Far East. As the girls travelled, they evolved from naïve tourists into seasoned Foreign Correspondents, yet they maintained a sense of optimistic innocence that served them well throughout their travels. Their exploits included investigating the opium trade in the Shan States, despite the activity being strictly forbidden, demonstrating their audacity and determination. They faced real danger, finding themselves caught in an ambush in Indonesia and amidst riots in Calcutta. The narrative is filled with vivid accounts of their encounters with prominent political figures, such as Chou En-Lai, Nehru, the Dalai Lama, and President Sukarno, often finding themselves in close proximity to these influential leaders during significant events. The girls’ adventures are accompanied by a collection of 24 photographs taken by the author, enriching the story with a visual element. The book, comprising 160 pages, offers a spirited and fresh perspective on their extraordinary journey and the diverse experiences that shaped them during their five years abroad. It is available for purchase at the Presbyterian Book Shop in Christchurch for a price of 31 shillings, with an additional postage charge of 9 pence.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand