Monday, Day 24 - Jan 29 - 9am to 5pm, Pago Pago, Tutuila, American Samoa

Pago Pago, located on the island of Tutuila, the largest of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean, is the capital of American Samoa. Today its beauty and ecological diversity make it a popular tourist destination.  First settled by the Polynesians around 600 BC, the islands became a territory of the US in1900.  An important coaling station and naval base, the Pago Pago harbor proved to be of strategic importance during World War II.

We first visited the island in 2015 on the Queen Elizabeth. We did a local tour on one of the converted, colorful, school buses. It was run by a neat lady and her family and was loads of fun.  We found the people and the island delightful so today we are doing another local tour.
Our original plan for today was to sleep late, take one of the colorful, city buses to Tias Barefoot Bar about 5 miles from town....good host, food and bar, nice swimming and snorkeling beach and have brunch, then ride the city bus back to town. But Dick’s mysterious illness of yesterday and a break down in the cooling in our room (75 degrees and climbing and humid as all get out) about 2:30AM left us not quite our bouncy selves this morning. Carolyn was at the front desk at 2:45AM and what ever they did in engineering to the AC system, it cooled off fairly fast and we did sleep some.

So, over breakfast this morning we decided to go to the visitors center at the terminal and see what they suggest after Dick first has a long discussion with AT&T about our texting and data bill.

That problem solved we headed off the ship around 10:30AM. The lady at the visitor center (a tent on the dock) gave us three maps and suggested we turn right and walk to the market and a couple of other points of interest in the downtown area. From there we could take one of the funky buses to one end of the island or the other and see some of the coast. It was 86 degrees as we started to the market but the sun was behind some clouds and there was a strong breeze....so the half mile walk was not too bad. We visited the market last time, it is not the greatest, but the fruits are interesting and the people are eager to talk. Dick sits down and visits with one of the old men lounging around while their family sells their wares. The man asks Dick’s age and he admits to 73.  Turns out the man was born on the island June 9,1944; just a few days younger than Dick.

The bus stop and taxi stand is across the street from the market. There are several taxis waiting around so we decide to bargain for a ride out to the airport, the opposite direction from what we did last time, and a return to the ship. Dick and the driver agree on $30 for the roughly hour ride. The buses are cheaper, but  it saved us having to catch a return bus.

American Samoa is a time warp. It is highly Christian with most Catholic. There is literally a church of some sort at every bend in the road. The people still hold the old traditions and family close. There are ceremonial family gathering halls in the many family compounds and the family members are still buried in the front yard! The police and city officials wear the traditional sarong as do the school children and many adults. Most speak enough English for the tourist to feel comfortable and of course they have their own language.

The taxi drops us off at the terminal and Carolyn can’t resist a little more shopping. There is a cute little shop across the street so we check it out. Turns out the lady makes native style clothes out of hand dyed island fabrics. Carolyn picks out six different pieces for a skirt. It will be ready in two hours!

We go to the ship and cool off. Carolyn orders a sandwich from room service and Dick works on another glitch, this time with Visa, over the phone. About 2PM Carolyn walks back across the street, picks up her skirt and adds a hand painted necklace; all for $74. Dick goes to lunch on the pool deck.

We do know if we are ever back this way, we will see if we can arrange for a driver and explore the WWII treasures that are on the Island. The tourist center gave us a brochure on American Samoa’s US Naval and WWII History. It has a detailed tour mapped out of all the Installations on the Island, many are accessible by car. That is right up Dick’s alley!

Sail away is at 5pm, we ready on the balcony with cocktails and snacks on hand, but apparently the Captain isn’t, since we don’t cast off until 5:45. Never the less we  enjoy it and then head to dinner. It has been a fun pleasant day. Hopefully the night will be cool and restful. Tomorrow is a sea day.