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Lisa Rose Wright
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Hot Pools, Paua Shells & a Pandemic: Travels around the world Kindle Edition

by Lisa Rose Wright (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 216 ratings
#1 Best Seller in New Zealand Travel
See all formats and editions
“Slugger Stewart and Slammer Lisa made short work of our big bathroom and laundry room demolition.” Five-star Workaway review.

February 2020. Lisa, husband Stewart, and Mum Iris, set off from their homes in the remote northwest of Spain, looking for another adventure.
While Iris holidays in France, Lisa and Stewart once again use their building skills to Workaway around New Zealand’s beautiful North Island – meeting new friends, and discovering old ones they didn’t know, as serendipity follows them across the globe and home to a much-changed Galicia.
Meanwhile, Mum is stranded twelve hundred kilometres away across closed borders – with no way back.
After a month travelling the world, can Slugger and Slammer survive three months in one of the severest lockdowns in Europe, rescue Mum, and get Los Tres together again?
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  1. Part of series
    travels around
  2. Print length
    354 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    November 2, 2023
  6. File size
    3172 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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From the Publisher

Dark sand beach backed by green cliffs. 'Discover the world' in top right corner
Riverside in bangkok as seen from a boat. ornate buildings
green lake backed by low dark green hills. large ferns in the foreground
figure walking along an empty beach. RHS 3 books from the travels around series by lisa rose wright

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CKWH24P5
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 2, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3172 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 354 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 216 ratings

About the author

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Lisa Rose Wright

Lisa Rose Wright

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

In 2007 Lisa left a promising career as an ecologist catching protected reptiles and amphibians, and kissing frogs, to move to beautiful green Galicia in the remote northwest of Spain with her blue-eyed prince (who has since become her blue-eyed husband but that’s another story).

She divides her time equally between growing her own food, helping to renovate a semi-derelict house (or actually two… but that’s another story too) and getting out and about to discover more of the stunningly beautiful area she calls home.

Lisa is happiest outside in her huerta weeding, watching the antics of her chickens, in her kitchen cooking interesting recipes on her wood-burning range, or getting out to discover more of the world around us.

Lisa is the author of five travelogue memoirs.

The Writing Home trilogy tells the story of Lisa’s adventures moving to beautiful green Galicia in 2007 in Plum, Courgette & Green Bean Tart. In Tomato, Fig & Pumpkin Jelly, Lisa and her blue-eyed prince get married – eventually. And in Chestnut, Cherry & Kiwi Fruit Sponge, the intrepid pair renovate a second ruin. The series is told through letters home to Lisa’s mum, who also who moved to Galicia, aged 84 and eleven months.

In the Travels Around series, Lisa invites her readers to visit her beautiful green Galicia in Pulpo, Pig & Peppers – travels around Galicia, and to follow her and hubby S, around the world. Firstly on the trip of a lifetime in Bento Boxes, Boomerangs & Red Foxes – travels around the world and then once more travelling down under, this time to New Zealand at the start of a pandemic which would rock the world. Hot Pools, Paua Shells & a Pandemic brings the reader full circle back to Lisa's beautiful green Galicia.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
216 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Vmp
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, exciting and poignant
Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2023
Verified Purchase
This is now the fifth book by Lisa Rose Wright I’ve read and, as always, I am instantly absorbed in her world. Once again, Lisa and her husband, S, depart their lovely home in Galicia on a grand adventure to visit friends in New Zealand and tour the country doing workaway spells as voluntary helpers in people’s houses they go. Leaving her mother with her brother and his wife in France, they set off across the world. However, it is early in 2020, and what they aren’t aware of is that they are constantly dodging a certain virus that is threatening to shut that world down. I enjoyed reading about New Zealand and its beauties very much, and there are now numerous places on my list of ‘must visit’ spots should I ever get there. Learning about the different rules and customs in New Zealand was also fascinating. However, the couple gradually realise their trip home is in jeopardy due to the spread of the Covid virus and their adventures take a stressful turn when they find they will have to face strict lockdown rules. Mum is in France and the borders are closing behind them as they race to get back. I loved the last part of the book when, home again and forced to remain there, Lisa and S rediscover their love of Galicia and their own environs. This was a really beautifully written part with gorgeous descriptions of the scenery around them. I also enjoyed the witty email exchanges between Lisa and her brother, giving us some humour in between their concerns about their mum’s situation. Altogether, this memoir is both a terrific travelogue and a poignant record of what life was like in 2020. I loved it and can recommend it unreservedly.
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New&Used
3.0 out of 5 stars too much obvious dialog
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2023
Verified Purchase
Loved reading about their travels mishaps and adventures and work away experiences but, for me, there was way too much dialogue or really just short, sort of boring comments to one another that didn’t advance the story. I began skipping those pages once I realized I wasn’t missing a thing. Sounds harsh but i really enjoyed the rest of the book.
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Beth Haslam
5.0 out of 5 stars Another captivating adventure
Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2023
Lisa and her husband, ‘S’, take her elderly mum to stay with family as they embark on another transcontinental trip. Setting off, they’re unaware of the sinister undercurrents brewing overseas. As they reach the Far East, news breaks about a virus outbreak in China. Do they panic? Far from it.

Determined to continue their travels, the intrepid couple do what they do best. They roll up their sleeves and combine working away with exploring extraordinary parts of the Far East and New Zealand. Meanwhile, unbeknown to them, the virus is spreading like wildfire.

The building tension is palpable as Covid hits the headlines. Lisa and S may not make it home before borders close. Will they be stranded thousands of miles from Galicia and Mum?

Reading this author’s books is like chatting with a close friend. Once again, I was drawn into her world, which played havoc with my emotions. The accounts of the places they visited are fascinating and inspiring, and I laughed at the chats with her brother. Their dialogues will resonate with anyone who has siblings. And so often, I held my breath at their turbulent situation.

I was also profoundly moved by the family drama as it unfolded. And most of all, I was enchanted by Lisa’s eloquent descriptions of their beloved Galician home. This book is packed with fun, challenges, and a reminder that the real treasures in life are family and home. Highly recommended.
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fabulouschrissie
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written by a born storyteller
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2023
When Lisa and husband Stewart (S) drop mum Iris off in France at Lisa's brother's house, they promise they will be back in a month's time to take her home to Galicia. But it is February 2020....
I love Lisa's writing. She is a born storyteller, and has an incredible way with words, drawing you into the story, and making you want to keep on reading.
Traveling again as both Workawayers and tourists, this follows on from their adventures in Bento Boxes, Boomerangs, and Red Foxes, although they are just visiting New Zealand this time.
Lisa's descriptions of their travels, combined with footnotes about the progress of the Covid-19 pandemic, bring back memories of the time the world changed, and we didn't have any idea of what was going to happen to us.
This is really a book of two halves: part one is fun, travel and working adventures. Travelogue as well as memoir; Lisa weaves in historical facts and tourist information as part of the story.
The second half is back home in Galicia, dealing with lockdown restrictions, and the frustrations of trying to get Iris back home from France, but also with an appreciation of the lifestyle they have.
I loved it. Both the travel and lockdown parts are written beautifully, and made me quite emotional at times. I confess to shedding a few tears at some parts, and being on the edge of my seat, wondering what was going to happen next.
I can't recommend this book enough. If you've read Lisa's previous books, you will love this one. If you haven't (why not??) you can read this as a stand alone.
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Simon Michael Prior
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful travel adventure story - with a twist
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2023
Lisa and S crash around the North Island of New Zealand as workaway guests of various Kiwi characters. A very entertaining look at life in pre-pandemic New Zealand, while Covid-19 ravages the Northern Hemisphere.
One person found this helpful
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Superior.Shores
1.0 out of 5 stars Could Not Finish
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2024
Verified Purchase
I have never been turned off by a book more than this. It is a real shame because planning vacations is what I do. I really tried but with her calling her husband “S” floored me. Has she no respect for her husband or does she not know what his name is?
I can’t tell if Wright is lazy, egotistical, or just downright rude. No, I could not get much into the book, as reading about “S”, made me nauseous.
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Top reviews from other countries

Beth Haslam
5.0 out of 5 stars Another captivating adventure
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 25, 2023
Verified Purchase
Lisa and her husband, ‘S’, take her elderly mum to stay with family as they embark on another transcontinental trip. Setting off, they’re unaware of the sinister undercurrents brewing overseas. As they reach the Far East, news breaks about a virus outbreak in China. Do they panic? Far from it.

Determined to continue their travels, the intrepid couple do what they do best. They roll up their sleeves and combine working away with exploring extraordinary parts of the Far East and New Zealand. Meanwhile, unbeknown to them, the virus is spreading like wildfire.

The building tension is palpable as Covid hits the headlines. Lisa and S may not make it home before borders close. Will they be stranded thousands of miles from Galicia and Mum?

Reading this author’s books is like chatting with a close friend. Once again, I was drawn into her world, which played havoc with my emotions. The accounts of the places they visited are fascinating and inspiring, and I laughed at the chats with her brother. Their dialogues will resonate with anyone who has siblings. And so often, I held my breath at their turbulent situation.

I was also profoundly moved by the family drama as it unfolded. And most of all, I was enchanted by Lisa’s eloquent descriptions of their beloved Galician home. This book is packed with fun, challenges, and a reminder that the real treasures in life are family and home. Highly recommended.
Report
nicola steinhardt
5.0 out of 5 stars 2 tales in one
Reviewed in Spain on November 6, 2023
Verified Purchase
Another great autobiography
The COVID year was hard and the author described it perfectly
Many lives were lost and her protection of her mother although it hurt is a tale of love and respect
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Sally Jane Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars A multi-layered travel read
Reviewed in Australia on January 22, 2024
Verified Purchase
‘Hot Pools, Paua Shells and a Pandemic’ takes us from Galicia in Spain to New Zealand's North Island, via Thailand, and with brief stops in the UK and France.

Lisa Rose Wright and her husband travel in a different way from many of us. They participate in Workaway volunteer programs to discover the world while paying their way in kind, mainly through renovation and maintenance work. Despite their commitment to providing a high-value service to their hosts, they still manage to find the time to explore their surroundings. I have travelled to some of the destinations they visited, and this book took me straight down memory lane. These two sides to their travels – the sightseeing and the authentic relationships they build with their Workaway hosts – make for a highly engaging read.

Their travels are spiced with curiosity and humour, but they are given an extra layer of meaning because their long-planned trip took place in early 2020. When they left Europe, the pandemic was on the fringes of their awareness. New Zealand was a haven from the dramatic developments that were taking place around the world, but by the time they were due to return home, they were rolling the dice with cancelled flights and border closures – and had to face some significant consequences when it came to reuniting with Lisa’s mum.

This book brought back to me how quickly the unthinkable became our shared reality, but it is far from a depressing read. I raced through the pages, and was sorry when it ended.
Customer image
Sally Jane Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars A multi-layered travel read
Reviewed in Australia on January 22, 2024
‘Hot Pools, Paua Shells and a Pandemic’ takes us from Galicia in Spain to New Zealand's North Island, via Thailand, and with brief stops in the UK and France.

Lisa Rose Wright and her husband travel in a different way from many of us. They participate in Workaway volunteer programs to discover the world while paying their way in kind, mainly through renovation and maintenance work. Despite their commitment to providing a high-value service to their hosts, they still manage to find the time to explore their surroundings. I have travelled to some of the destinations they visited, and this book took me straight down memory lane. These two sides to their travels – the sightseeing and the authentic relationships they build with their Workaway hosts – make for a highly engaging read.

Their travels are spiced with curiosity and humour, but they are given an extra layer of meaning because their long-planned trip took place in early 2020. When they left Europe, the pandemic was on the fringes of their awareness. New Zealand was a haven from the dramatic developments that were taking place around the world, but by the time they were due to return home, they were rolling the dice with cancelled flights and border closures – and had to face some significant consequences when it came to reuniting with Lisa’s mum.

This book brought back to me how quickly the unthinkable became our shared reality, but it is far from a depressing read. I raced through the pages, and was sorry when it ended.
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Diana D
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 27, 2023
Verified Purchase
Well written, as always, and easy to read. I liked the world maps showing where Lisa is travelling. Bangkok was an experience. New Zealand: Auckland was not attractive, and North Island was road works. I like the idea of shared showers, and love the descriptions of colourful lava and pools. it is very interesting reading about the progress of the covid pandemic and Lockdown in different countries. Also how much stricter it was in Spain than UK. I was pleased when Lisa returned to Spain, as I much prefer tales of Galicia. I love the descriptions of plants and animals during Lockdown. Poor Mum, what an ordeal. I hope there will be many more tales from Galicia.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Covid revisited
Reviewed in Australia on January 3, 2024
Verified Purchase
It’s always a delight to read what Lisa and S have been up to and it was interesting to be reminded of how awful it was during Covid.
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