Pago Pago, American Samoa ~ Nov 4, 2011

Pago Pago (pronounced Pango Pango),

American Samoa

November 4, 2011

After 4 days at sea we reach Samoa ~

The Samoan island chain lies in the center of the South Pacific, about 2,300 miles southwest of Honolulu. Since 1899, it has been divided into Western and Eastern ~ or American Samoa. The islands comprise the only American Territory in the southern hemisphere.

Useful words Samoan words used here are ~

Hello …………Talofa (Tah-low-fah)

Good Bye ……Tofa (Tow-fah)

Thank You …..Fa’afafine (fah-fee-tie)

Our Tour Provider is: Oceania Travel ~

Contact: Sulu Malifa ~ mailto:oceaniatravel@ipasifika.net

Duration of Tour : 6 hrs ~ Starts at 11 AM from the wharf.

Includes Lunch (No swimming)

This tour is in a Samoan style wood bus.

***Just a short note about these Samoan Style wood buses ~

For the safety of you bum . . .

*Bring a folded beach towel from your cabin to sit on ~

you will thank me, afterward!

:-)

DOWNTOWN & EASTSIDE

Enjoy a city tour of downtown Pago Pago combined with a scenic drive to the east end of Tutuila. Drive along the islands rugged east coast, mountains, coral reefs and the deep blue Pacific ocean all around you on this drive to the end of the road at CAPE TULA the eastern most tip of the island. As we wind past one headland after another, glimpse everyday village life as

people go about their business of planting, harvesting, and fishing, kids would play under the breadfruit trees near their homes..

HIGHLIGHTS.

a. Leave wharf area and turn right towards Downtown

b. drive passed Post Office building, Fono (legislative) building, court bouse, museum, colorful farmers produce market, variety of fruits vegetable, local fare, island handicrafts.

c. take a look at Sadie’s Inn (formerly Sadies boarding house

d. Pago Pago Bay & Curving harbor – is the finest in the south pacific.

e. Harbour Curve – site that offers wonderful views over Pago Pago bay, harbour and town at a distant.

Tour continues cruising around pago harbor curve, ascending to shoulder of “Rainkamer Mountain” with panoramic view of Avaio beach and Auasi shoreline.

f. drive passed the one remaining fish cannery STARKIST. The two fish canneries were the two main employers on the island have been the mainstay of the economy for many years, until late last year when one closed down leaving only one in operation.

g. Aunu’u jetty – offshore island 2 miles from main island – boat jetty.

h. Tisa’s barefoot bar – a quaint local bar set on a long stretch of white sandy beach.

i. Cape Tula – easternmost tip of the island – this area is home to the island’s oldest settlement and gorgeous surfing beaches, tour turns around from Tula.

*guy carrying squid *

j. enjoy this scenic drive along the coast. This side of the island is mountainous, lush green rich in tropical rainforest and vegetation with dense foliage. The scenery is colorful its green and match by the deep blue of the ocean and the roaring sea. People of these outer districts live a simple life of planting and fishing, happy in their surroundings, you will see them set out in their daily routine of working, playing and resting underneath the cool of trees or in their open “fales”

WESTSIDE

Tour CONTINUES passed downtown and will take you passed some of the most beautiful scenery on the island, The land is more flat on this side and population more dense. Neat picturesque villages, with clean well kept gardens, tropical plants with flowers blooming everywhere. The island is volcanic with volcanic formations surrounded by coral reefs, palm fringed lagoons, turquoise waters and unusual rock formations. Our road will wind in and out of small bays with sandy beaches, climb a spectacular panoramic ridge and wind through pretty seaside villages that reveal the tropical beauty of the island and the lifestyle of its people.

Highlights

a. Tour leaves town area and head westward.

b. Rainmaker Mountain – overlooking majestic Pago Pago Harbour and Sadies Hotel a landmark location formerly Rainmaker Hotel

c. “Palolo” villages of Faganeanea & Nuuuli – “Palolo” a worm like fish rise once a year, which produces a Samoan caviar

d. Rock formations – Flower Pot Rock set in a turquoise lagoon.

e. continue westwards to Communication Centre and Industrial Park

f. Old Mormon Valley – American Samoa Community college is now housed in the buildings and complex once owned by the Mormon Church, in part of the old Mormon Valley – a beautiful area of lush green vegetation and rainforest

g. Leone Village – Congregational Christina Church and chiefly Samoan Fale (house) Leone formerly the island’s capital, this picturesque village is known as the “cradle of Christianity” because it is here that John Williams, the islands first missionary, landed in 1832. Visit the islands oldest church, also a typical traditional chiefly Samoan fale used during village (fono) meetings and family gatherings.

h. Vailoatai village – enjoy expansive views of the distant horizon and deep blue ocean as we drive passed this pretty seaside village with its neat fales & clean surroundings.

i. drive passed clean beautiful villages, beautiful flowers & well tended gardens, this side noted for its pristine white sand beaches.

j. last stop Vaitogi village, visit the location of the old Samoan legend of the turtle & shark (mother & daughter who turned into a turtle & shark) villagers still sound the “chant”

k. tour turns around from here.

l. drive passed Tafuna International Airport.

m. Lions Park area designated for sporting activities and family picnics.

n. Return Drive along the same road towards town.

o. stop at Alaimantu Bed and Breakfast for lunch

A private home with gorgeous yard and a bridge over stepped swimming pool that served us the most excellent food, drinks and tropical fruit for lunch.