Here we are, entering the harbor of Pago Pago, American Samoa.


We had to tie up alongside another yacht while we awaited the arrival of customs,
immigration and quarantine.


Another view of Pago Pago harbor.


The first mate is happy again - Mickey D's in Pago Pago.


The first mate getting a haircut in Pago Pago.


We took a bus ride to the village of Tula
on the far end of the Island of Tuitilla (American Samoa).


These are the school kids on the bus.
Notice how the kids carry their bus fare (in their ears!).


These are Samoan high schoolers, getting off the bus
and walking the rest of the way to school.


Samoans don't use cemeteries - they bury their loved ones in their front yards!


Samoan primary schoolers in Tula. Samoan kids LOVE having their photos taken.


These large structures are called "Fales".
Every house and village has a fale to use as a place for guests to stay
and to use for religious festivities.


This is how NOT to park your boat.


While we were in American Samoa, most of the reserve troops
there were deployed to Iraq. It was a very emotional farewell.


One of the hundreds of signs being flown after the troop deployment.


One of the many beautiful beaches in American Samoa.


And one of the many interesting churches in American Samoa.


Here we are, tied up to a harbor tug in Apia, Western Samoa,
awaiting the arrival of officials to check us in.


Every morning and evening these 100 foot long canoes
would come racing by our boat, practicing for the big competition
due to happen in about 2 weeks time.


At the market in Apia, there was always one or more
very intense checkers games being played.


These guys are sitting around drinking kava
(a drink made of water and the ground up roots of the kava plant - it tastes like dirt).


This is the big open air market in Apia.


Another view of the racing canoes. Notice the front guy is playing a drum,
which keeps all the rowers in sync.


While in Apia, we attended multiple presentations of the "Fire Knife Dance".
This is what Ken Horton will be attempting for the next Amra Arma concert.


This is a Samoan dance presentation.
The female dancing is more like Hawaiian hula dancing
than the blatantly erotic Tahitian dancing.


Another view of the Fire Knife Dance.


Every day, at exactlyl 7:45, the entire police department
(and their band) march through the streets of Apia. Notice that none
of the police are armed (other than with a musical instrument).


"Vailima" - the final home of Robert Louis Stevenson in Apia.


A view from the front porch of Vailima.


Old Robert - his own bad self.


During a bus tour of Western Samoa, we got to see some beautiful waterfalls.


And some great beaches.


The first mate, feeding turtles in Western Samoa.