3 Review(s)

About The Book: This small book "Three Weeks in a Houseboat" as it was not actually a houseboat in the proper sense, but rather a dunga. For a period of three weeks, author resided in a dunga while in Cashmere. In Cashmere, there are various types of houseboats available, including some that can be favorably compared to the best ones found on the Thames, as well as simpler houseboats, dunga houseboats, and modest dungas. A dunga is essentially a large, decked in punt that is approximately 70 feet in length and 6 to 8 feet wide. It tapers considerably at either end, and on top of this structure sits a light wooden frame that is covered on the roof and sides with thick reed matting. While dungas may differ somewhat in their interior layouts, they are generally built in a similar manner. About The Author: Ambrose Petrocokino (1864–1926) was a British business owner of Greek descent who was known as an avid traveller and collector of artefacts from India, China and Japan. He wrote two books describing his adventurous travels in South America and India. He also followed a military career, as a soldier in three different wars, including World War I. Petrocokino volunteered to fight for the Greeks during the 32-day Greco-Turkish War of 1897; he also served under the British Army in the Boer War (1899–1902) and the World War I. In the Boer War he was part of the Duke of Cambridge's Special Corps. At the start of World War I he enlisted again for the British Army and was in charge of prisoners on the Isle of Wight. However, by 1915 he had transferred to the Hampshire Regiment and served under this regiment in Mesopotamia and North Persia. Petrocokino wrote two books in the early 20th century, describing in detail his journeys of exploration around the world. These were entitled 'Cashmere: Three Weeks in a Houseboat' and 'Along the Andes'.