Ida Pfeiffer's Meine zweite Weltreise (My Second World Tour) picks up her incredible story as she ventures into the Dutch East Indies, modern-day Indonesia. This volume covers her travels through Sumatra, Java, Celebes (Sulawesi), and the fabled Spice Islands, the Moluccas. With little money and no official backing, she relied on trading ships and local hospitality, documenting everything she saw with a sharp and practical eye.

The Story

The plot is simple: she went there. But the magic is in the details. Pfeiffer doesn't just visit capitals; she treks into the interior of Sumatra, climbs Javanese volcanoes, and sails to remote islands. She describes bustling ports, intricate court ceremonies, and the daily life of people she met. The narrative is driven by her constant movement and her encounters—some friendly, some hostile, all fascinating. She faces storms at sea, navigates complex colonial politics, and deals with the sheer physical hardship of travel in an era before tourism. It's a real-time log of discovery, frustration, and wonder.

Why You Should Read It

You should read this for Ida herself. Her voice is blunt, observant, and surprisingly modern. She's not a sentimental writer; she's a reporter. When she describes a beautiful landscape, you believe her. When she complains about bad food or treacherous paths, you feel it. What I love most is her sheer nerve. In an age when women were confined to the drawing room, she was bargaining with ship captains and entering villages where Europeans were rarely seen. The book strips away the Victorian veneer of adventure and shows you the gritty, unpredictable reality. It makes you rethink what was possible.

Final Verdict

This is a must-read for anyone who loves real adventure stories, travel writing, or hidden histories. It's perfect for readers who enjoy firsthand accounts like those of Mary Kingsley or Isabella Bird, but want something even more raw and unvarnished. It's also a fantastic pick for anyone interested in 19th-century Southeast Asia, seen through the eyes of a remarkably unbiased visitor. Be warned: it's a product of its time, with some outdated perspectives, but that's part of its historical value. Ultimately, it's for the curious reader who wants to travel the world from their armchair with the most determined, no-nonsense guide you could hope for.