2011 - NZ To SF - Day 36

Day 36: (18 June 2011 (-1 in time zone)):
- 8 People go to Namu'a. Pile into a Rav 4. 3 sit in trunk with legs dangling out.
- Nice village of Lalomanu. Lots of people wave.
- Find dock for island fale / resort. Long wait, then tiny boat slowly come to dock.
- Everyone go in tiny metal dinghey. Clear shallow water. Possible turtle and then confirmed turtle: very large, swim away fast when we slow to circle.
- Land on beach. 4 friendly & healthy-looking dogs. Follow us everywhere.
- Hike up: small trail. Dogs lead way. Left jandals at steep section.
- A few nice views. See Americas Samoa. Cliffs. Trail ends suddenly.
- Slippery hike back. Sweaty shirt. Snorkel: Look for turtles, but none. Went quite far out to a clear blue channel. Lots of coral closer to shore.
- Meal drum. Coconut, starchy bananas. Grilled chicken, salad. Most did not eat banana, found strange. many not familiar with Polynesian food.
- Talk to the kayakers (from Tafua), who arrived just before lunch. They point to to where they saw a turtle. I decide snorkel in that direction, but not as for.
- Lower tide: water getting murkey. No turtles. Worried sunburn.
- No one around when return. Think they go far walk.
- I walk around to other side of island, see few others in distance.
- Blue pools, lava rocks, cliffs, waves. Nice view of other island & shore (mainland).
- Greeted by dogs on return. Soon a few fast people arrive.
- They swim, I go back to take photos. Fish in tidal pools (some jump between pools), crabs. Dogs (2) accompany me on way out.
- Back: relax. See one with coconut. I open it with much effort. Drill hole with coral: almost through. Last drill" coral break, jammed in hole!
- Pay & return. I pay surprise 10 for parking.
- No electricity! Working on line. Relax in fale & write. Sunset. Enjoy beach fale before leaving.
- Some people from Tanu beach here.
- Fiasco of Mepa try to undercut Wayne for airport. Wayne not happy so we still go with them.
- Realised the crazy nasty drunk person shouting insults at Mepa the other day may have been the white person hanging out with Wayne.
- Drink & wait. Aus. who went to the trench, regulars & Ravi. Giant clam.
- Ride time keep changing. Leave at 10:30pm.
- Pancakes: $1 from 80 cents: supplier "changed his price."
- Fiafia next door, but I didn't go. Many went. Apparently told next door does not like us using their beach. So many issues in Lalomanu.
- Longest drive ever: 2.5 hours. Top speed: 40k/h. 50 on large roads. Samoan music.
- Meet the girls from Tanu @ airport. Try sleep.
- Meet guy from (sports? culture? health?) Ministry going to Asia Pacific forum meeting in Korea/Thailand? He chat once in a while. Pat me on head when time to go in.
- Postcard, toothpaste, eat 2 of the pancakes.
- Samoa soon changed their date. (Not Am. Samoa)
- Half asleep on short flight. Served breakfast after takeoff: very early.

Photos available at: http://mandarinmanmarktravelbriefs.blogspot.com/