Review

Nina M.C. Payne opens her travel memoir Never Ending Footsteps with a quote from Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964) who states: “We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm, and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have, if only we seek them with our eyes open. The Art of a people is a true mirror into their minds.” This sums up the author perfectly, since Nina M.C. Payne is a woman who has spent a lifetime reaching out to others with empathy and compassion in the hope of understanding them better. Much of this ethic comes from her love of travel and adventure, which has opened her mind to possibility and people, as Nehru implies. Payne also claims travel has taught her that her strength lies in having the courage to pursue her dreams. (Interestingly, Payne’s latest project an anthology of New Zealand migrant stories, will do just that, giving voice to the experiences of more than twenty authors, many of whom are writing in a second language.) Covering her travels through her adopted homeland New Zealand, to Southeast Asia, Britain, Europe, and Alaska, Never Ending Footsteps is told in Payne’s conversational voice, and punctuated with her observations and experiences as well as some practical tips for travellers. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on her coach tour through Europe. Never-Ending Footsteps is kindly offered in large print, which makes for easy reading, and includes over seventy photographs from the author’s own collection. A delightful travelogue by a local inspiration.

For copies of this title, contact the author, or ask for it at your local library.