A Raindrop in the Ocean

“An entertaining tale of Michael, with his insatiable curiosity, keen wit and irresistible charm, travelling around the world, exploring places and enjoying people, handling the peaks and valleys on his journey with great spirit and balance. What better way to live?” – ‍Chris Tan, founder, * Colgate Palmolive, USA *“Michael, in our minds, will forever be dressed in a dhoti, kimono, longyi, barong or some other exotic garb. From the first page of his memoir, his life appears as truly extraordinary and exciting, revealing the variety and uniqueness of his and his family’s lifelong global adventures. Great reading for intimate friends – and for strangers, who will soo – Reuben and Arlene Mark, former chairman and CEO“Michael is one of those larger than life fellows; driven by an insatiable curiosity and desire for adventure that took him from a mountaintop Buddhist monastery in Japan to the board rooms of the most prestigious investment banks in the world. It has been a privilege and an honour to meet him, and I hope that this book will help others like myself to benefit from his wisdom and passionate thirst for life.” – Thierry Capelle, director * Shell Chemicals UK *“Michael’s memoir presents a fascinating and incredible life journey from colonist farming, adventures on four continents, eccentric human encounters and the mental strength of a Buddhist monk to high risk-taking entrepreneurship, the haute finance of investment banking and his frequent fights to overcome health problems. I am grateful for his warm friendship.” – Onno Ruding, former Finance Minister of the Netherlands“The book richly confirms Michael Dobbs-Higginson as a deeply original thinker and creative actor. The range of his experiences is extraordinary. Of particular importance, the book underlines the significance of Asia to our national future. Overall a gripping read.” – Sir John Boyd, former British ambassador to Japan

Variously descended from a pirate captain, a Lord Mayor of London and a governor of Carolina, Michael Dobbs-Higginson was born on a farm in Southern Rhodesia in 1941.Encouraged by his quasi-mystic mother to explore the great religions of the world, he enrolled in one of the oldest Zen Buddhist monasteries in Japan and was ordained a lay monk in his early twenties. He also became a black-belt in the stick-fighting discipline kendo. After studying medicine in Dublin, logging in Canada and teaching surfing in Hawaii, he moved back to Japan where he set up several businesses before being chased out of the country by unscrupulous CIA operatives. He then became an investment banker and has invested in a number of start-up business ventures. He is currently developing electric vehicles and drones for the Far East and an e-commerce platform for Africa. With his French wife Marie-Therese he has three grown-up children. He lives in Singapore, London and France.