The Curse of the Temple

German architect Jochen Reier recounts his ambitious project to build a Nepalese Pagoda for the 1983 International Garden Exhibition in Munich, Germany, and the unexpected turn of events surrounding this project. After the Exhibition authorities withdraw their pledged project funding, he crafts a desperate plan to smuggle hashish from Nepal to Munich, in order to cover the long outstanding construction costs. This fateful decision eventually leads to a high seas escape from Australia and on through the south seas with his yacht "Restless" - the German judiciary in relentless pursuit. Mr. Reier's intriguing descriptions of the islands, seas and weather, his brief encounters with customs authorities, the plethora of characters he encounters "on the run," and the haunting prospect of a long prison sentence awaiting back in Germany reveal the toll this adventure takes on his psyche and physical stamina which can best be summarized with the caption "truth is sometimes stranger than fiction."