About the book: 1959 / Book by Professor E. M. Kreps, a participant in the expedition on the "Vityaz" to the central part of the Pacific Ocean under the International geophysical year, represents the author's travel impressions from visiting some tropical islands of Oceania and New Zealand. In a popular form, the author talks about the research carried out during the voyage, about the nature of the ocean, and especially dwells on the description of the islands visited by the expedition, their nature and population in the modern post-war period. The material in the book is based on the author’s personal observations, on meetings and conversations with representatives of all segments of the population, island residents - Polynesians and Melanesians, with scientists, with authoritative representatives of the administration and others. The book is written in good language, in a lively and entertaining form and is designed for the widest audience circles of the population of all professions and ages. At the same time, providing numerous information on geography, nature, ethnography or the history of the tropical islands visited by the expedition, the author remains a scientist striving for complete scientific accuracy of the facts and events he covers.