Pago Pago - American Samoa

So it's December 8 and last night we crossed the international date line.  That gave us two Saturdays.

Over the last week, we have had several stops, but not much access to the internet.  After Noumea we went to Easo, Mystery Island (Vanuatu),  Port Denerau and Suva (Fiji).

Our port yesterday in Apia Samoa was canceled for safety reasons, (High winds and an unprotected harbor).

Apia

We are in Pago Pago (American Samoa).  The weather is warm humid and windy.  I'm hoping I can finish this before it rains again, but service here is painfully slow.   Internet access is available at the pier for $3.00.  It's the kind of service you have to wait for, and wait for... The wind is threatening to pick up the canvas covers here on the pier and carry them away.

Local bus

Tutuila Island

Today we walked until we found a local bus.  We hopped on and rode as far as $5/each would take us.  Turns out not too far.  We drove out to the entrance to the harbor and then he turned around and came back.  The owner's son was with us and telling us about his plans to join the Army after high school.

Then we went to the National Parks building and watched several videos about things like how they make Tapa (a fabric made from tree bark)

We also saw a whale's jaw bone, unlike any I've seen before.  After watching several of their videos, we walked back to the ship.

We leave here this evening around 1730 and head for Hawaii.  It will be five days at sea.  Aside from no internet access, I love time at sea.  There is a rhythm to life at sea.  Not that there is anything difficult about cruising, but sea time is "in the zone".

I looked at the calendar the other day and we have less to two weeks left.  I'm holding back the tears.