Jim_Iain

The market was pretty quiet when we visited. IMG_4209.mov

We decided to skip taking a tour and just did a bit of touring on our own. Pago Pago is full of Governmental building but we may have just not found much of interest. The majority of the shopping was in a small market and covered stall area. The currency of American Samoa is the US Dollar.

Yesterday we arrived in American Samoa. We were awaken around 7:00 AM by loud drumming and chanting. The port put on a big welcome.

The lay down business class seats have really made a huge difference. However I can remember back in time when First Class International seats were only slightly larger than domestic first class.

Finished up a short video of Apia -

It was really nice to wander around the ship at twilight.

Last night had incredible sunsets. The sunset bar was packed. Love how it changes constantly.

Not the biggest on visiting the obligatory church stops of most tours. But did find some good photo ops. While beautiful the temps were in the 90’s and 100% humidity in the equatorial intense sun. Definitely staying hydrated is important.

We started out in small busses with about 20 per bus. They had a convoy of about 12 busses that arrived at each place at the same time. Would have been less chaotic had they staggered the busses

Today’s tour. Let’s see how accurate the description is. Indulge your senses with the pristine natural beauty of Upolu during this scenic, half-day tour of the island's northeast coast. Depart the pier for a picturesque drive along the northeast coast of Upolu. Along the way, you will pass through local villages that still observe a traditional lifestyle. Your first stop is at Falefa Village for photo stop at the Cathedral. Continuing on to the Falefa Waterfall and Estuary, a former trading post for locals and whalers in the early 1800s. The return trip will be made via the same coastal road. Your tour will conclude with a visit to Maalaauli Gardens, which features an abundance of native and tropical plants, flowers and fruits. Included are specimens found in the bird of paradise family, along with ginger, axoria heliconia, ylangylang, papaya, guava, star fruit, pineapple and mang. During your visit, you will be served local fruit, bottled water and coconuts and see demonstrations of coconut tree climbing, husking, grating and preparing fresh coconut cream. Afterward, you will rejoin your coach for the return drive to the pier.

Thanks... it is a great cruise... It is nice to visits new cultures you have only heard of. It makes you appreciate the diversity of the world and at times grateful for how well we have it ourselves.

Thanks.... I really enjoy still photography more than this GoPro but finding it fun to play with.

We only lost Internet for an hour yesterday. Today in port it is flickering at times. So far it has bee pretty solid with 5 Up and 3 down for Premium.

All caught up and ready for APIA, SAMOA Old world and new collide in Apia, Samoa's harborside capital - the capital city of the South Pacific island nation of Samoa. Offshore, near Vaiala beach, Palolo Deep Marine Reserve is a stretch of reef with a deep, coral-lined hole. The Robert Louis Stevenson Museum is housed in the writer's restored home. Nearby, at the top of Mount Vaea, is his grave. In the city center, the country's natural history and cultural heritage are the focus of the Museum of Samoa.

Ok. Here’s the T I picked up in Nova Scotia.

Our final stop was a shopping mall. We along with 1/2 of our group stayed on the bus.

Our next stop was the Fijian National Forest. Bring mosquitos repellent. They love me. loved the wild orchids. Changing room i had to take a plunge. Really refreshing. IMG_4040.mov

We were then invited to sample Fijian food.

I was again selected as our tribal chief. More Kava.

We next visited a Fijian village. Much more Disneyland than the authentic Ine we previously visited.

Next up was the Dedicated to conservation and the plastic waste