Once again, the Tannoy woke us in the middle of the night. At 2am, there was a call from the bridge for the ‘1st Aid’ team (not to be confused with ‘First Aid’ – which is a medical response and is called differently!) to investigate dense smoke in the garbage sorting area.
The Captain came on a few minutes later to confirm and then again a few more minutes later to stand down the team when all was found to be OK.
Whilst one or two passengers have moaned recently about these announcement calls, they are obviously unaware of the fallout from the Costa Concordia, a couple of years ago. The maritime industry has had to lift its game. Along with having to do the lifeboat drill within every 30 day period, the Captain is presumably now obliged to make passengers aware of any incidents that could in any way escalate or put passengers or crew in danger. Princess takes all aspects of safety seriously so we just have to put up with these minor hiccups.
However, Paula’s sleep was disturbed and I started coughing again!
We docked at Pago Pago in American Samoa about 8am and as this is a very small island, there was no rush to go ashore. We made it about 9:50 with D & S and just wandered through the stalls set up on the dockside and straight out to the street.
We studied one or two tour offers – most of which were about $20 (USD is the local currency) but on what can be best described as Toyota Hilux utes with truck bodies atop (see pic), basic wooden seats, no windows. The thought of sitting on those with no knee room and a very lack lustre tour for three hours, didn’t really appeal.
We spied one fit looking guy, quietly holding a plain ‘TAXI’ sign and just patiently waiting to be approached. A very quick discussion followed and we agreed a 3 hour tour for a total of $120.
Ziggy was his name and he led us across the road to a Toyota showing a few battle scars. He explained later that he owned a truck but had picked up this Toyota for $800 from someone heading overseas and had converted it to commercial just yesterday, so we were the first paying passengers.
We headed out through the town (that took approximately 3 minutes!) and past the very smelly tuna canning factory to open country. Well, the one road that runs out to the eastern end of the island anyway.
With a 25mph speed limit and a rather pot-holed road, progress was stately and we passed through several villages. On the island, there are 67 of these villages, each with its own chief and that means that misdemeanours are usually dealt with within the village. We have to say that of all the stops on this trip, this would be one of the very few with minimal graffiti. The Tsunami of 2010 had left its mark so there was a mix of buildings still unrestored, buildings that were new and others that had been repaired.
At each village was an open walled building which was the chief’s guest-house.
Land is cheap here with a 1/4 acre section at about $30,000 and a three bedroom house could be built for about $20,000. No planning permission required as it is YOUR land. Sounds blissful, though the 25mph limit and a tiny island wouldn’t be much fun for petrol-heads.
We thoroughly enjoyed our trundle out and Ziggy was more than happy to stop for photos whenever we wanted. He happily answered questions and pointed out a few things of interest. We hopped out briefly at ‘The Barefoot Bar’ at an idyllic beach setting to take pics and found our table mates, Mike and Sue sampling the local hospitality.
Out effectively to the end of the island, to a church (there are a fair few churches here, most are Anglican) then we turned around and called in at ‘Two Dollar Beach’ where there were several Princess tour trucks and taxis, enjoying a local show. There was a charge to enter the beach area, even to take photographs. That is how it gets its name… We didn’t stay more than 5 minutes but Paula decided that as we’d paid, she may as well use their rest room!
Back then to ‘Tisa’s Bar & Grill’ – the ‘Barefoot Bar’. Tisa is a local chief – the only female chief on the island and she owns the bar and runs it with her NZ partner. By this time, there were cruisers everywhere and we relaxed with a cold drink.
Ziggy had turned down our invitation for a drink but time was marching on so we returned to the taxi. He drove us back into town then out the other side to the ‘flower pot’ rocks and then to the abandoned cable car station. We passed one of the world famous Wyland whale paintings on the way.
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| Another Wyland Whale mural |
At one time, this was the longest unsupported cable car in the world, but years ago, a military aircraft clipped it and several lives were lost and it has never been used since.
Back then to the ship and as we’d extended our tour by half an hour or more, we paid Ziggy the extra.
We preferred today to Apia in Western Samoa three years ago so along with Moorea and even Papeete, the gloss was restored to this section of the cruise. When we do a summary at the end of the trip, it may well be that the South American stops were the ones that didn’t really live up to our expectations.
Back on board and suitably refreshed, we joined not only the regular Cruise Critic group for our final sail-away, but also those of our dance group.
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| The abandoned cable car |
At dinner, I managed to mix a starter of beef and chicken satays, with a main of vegetable korma, to make a very nice curry.
I introduced myself to an ex-English league soccer player on a nearby table who I’d been told about and he is happy enough to have his pic taken with me, so hopefully I’ll manage that. There is a good reason for that as son Stewart keeps posting pics of himself with soccer players, usually ex-Nottingham Forest.
To the theatre to see a performer we’d only half seen before, last year I think - Roland Storm. I really enjoyed the show. He was well known in Australia in the 1960’s and has a pleasant voice and although with the orchestra, plays his own piano (keyboard) accompaniment. The tunes might have been a bit before Sue’s time, but we knew them! I’ll give him an 8.5/10 as I believe much of his show was as before as he covers quite a few musical icons of that era but without trying to be a vocal impressionist.
A hot chocolate before bed.
Just three days at sea now and we are home. Not sure whether or not I’ll be posting again before then, but keep your fingers crossed.
Plans are filtering through about August 25th. These include free drinks at the bar and a class entertainer making a special one night appearance, just for the Elite passengers. Rumour has it that it may even be Rod Stewart.
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