Samoa……Western and American

November 5th Apia, Western Samoa

We spent today in Apia and here is some “FAAMATALAGO” information about our day  and about the “TUSITALA”( the “teller of tales” aka ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON)

Our first stop was Vailima which was the home of Robert Louis Stevenson and now a museum. He was well loved by the Samoan people and he was also presented with a Tapa cloth by the King Kaufauhau which hangs in the museum. He resided in this home for about 4 1/2 years and when he died his coffin was hand carried  to the summit of Mount Vaea for his final resting place.  The road was hand cut to carry his coffin.  The road is named “Road of the Loving Heart”. 

 

 

After our visit to the museum, our next stop was the Baha’i House of Worship.  The essence of this religion is unity.  The House of Worship has 9 doors to signify all religions are welcome.

     

We stopped to view the Papapapaital Waterfalls…unfortunately,it was pouring rain so we really couldn’t see much.

As we descended toward the the north shore, the weather cleared and the sun came out.  We drove thru a 5 star resort that was destroyed by the tsunami.  The devastation was overwhelming.

Our next stop was at Paradise Beach for swimming and a barbecue lunch.  The weather was beautiful and a good time was had by all!!!!

 

November 6th Pago Pago, American Samoa

Today we stopped in Pago Pago and had a tour arranged with Tisa with lunch at Tisa’s Barefoot Bar.

Should have known we were in for an adventure when our driver asked for a map and one of the passengers had to get on another bus for weight distribution!!  This bus made “Le Truck” in Tahiti look like a Cadillac!!!!!  As we were driving in to the National Park, the bus lost all gears as we were climbing the mountain.  We all got off the bus and the driver, added by Rich and an English gentleman, backed the bus down the hill to a relatively flat area.

 

We all waited up on the hill and about an hour later, we were picked up by a local bus and had a really neat ride with locals to a village over the mountain and then back down the mountain and dropped off at Tisa’s Bar.  Tisa was with us on the bus so we learned a lot about the local culture. A DVD of the tsunami was playing on the bus.  It was very moving to watch.  We did see a lot of devastation in Pago Pago.

What could have been a disaster, actually turned out of be a great experience.  Delia says that we were lucky that we weren’t abandoned in Fiji……we could have been someone’s dinner!!

Tisa’s is a great spot with a magnificent view.

   

We had a good lunch..Rich’s favorite lunch….CHICKEN!!!!!

All in all, we had a good day.  We really felt it was an added bonus to travel with the locals.  We are all looking forward to 2 sea days before we arrive in French Polynesia.

November 9th SEA DAY

Today was a very relaxing day.  Tried to publish this blog a few times but it wouldn’t post.  Heard that one of the satellites was down so hopefully that will be fixed soon.  It is so slow..using lots of computer time. Did get a Mah Jongg game in.  Learning a few new things to try when I get home.

Tonite we went to the Crown Grill, Princess Steak House, for dinner.  Bobbie and Jack were with us and our tablemates, Betty and John Young, joined us.  The food was excellent and we had a good time.