Category: The DayBook

It is about 6:30am. This is the view from the lanai. Shamu the Phone will connect go WiFi. The iPad does not.

Let me see if there is another picture.

The flight was full. The passengers large and they don’t travel lite.

K

Time to spring into action.

Pago Pago. Well, actually next stop Honolulu. Then American Samoa. I just wanted to switch back to my regular theme, because it handles images really nicely. And, if I am able to post anything it will be using Shamu the Phone. Don’t think I’ll have cell service in American Samoa. They have some NZ cell service. Not worth it to me to buy a SIM. Turns out, American Samoa does not have fiber optic Pacific ocean cable. So, if there is internet, most likely it will be at dialup “speed”.

Leaving for the airport in an hour. Let the adventure begin.

This is the Winter Solstice Eve – The Solstice is Monday, December 21, 2015 at 6:49 PM HAST – but I will be winging my way to Pago Pago – where it will be Summer Solstice. What a day to travel. Shortest day to longest day.

And here, once again is the traditional Solstice greeting that Carlton and I used for years. Even decades.

Wishing everyone the best of the festive season – no matter what it’s called at your house. In pagan traditions, the solstice is a time to put away the things of the old year and look forward to the new. One observance of the solstice involves extinguishing all the fires in your home before midnight on the eve of the solstice and lighting a new fire the next day. This probably won’t be quite as symbolic if you have central heating. Or if you are in Hawai’i.

The winter solstice falls on December 21 – the word solstice means “sun stopping.” The winter solstice is the day on which the sun reaches as far south of the equator as it gets, and is as such the shortest and darkest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. The solstice marks the rebirth of light for the coming spring.

The winter solstice also marks, among other things, the druid festival of Alban Arthuan – a time for bestowing gifts upon those less fortunate than ourselves. Out of this observance has grown the more popular tradition of gift-giving, Black Friday, Super Saturday, maxed-out credit cards and 70% off sales. May the goddess be with you during this season – but don’t blame her if you get fruitcake again.

I am grateful for that which I have.
I am not sorrowful for that which I do not.
I have more than others, less than some,
I am blessed with what is mine.

Leaving around noon tomorrow for Pago Pago, American Samoa. At my age, this could be my last great adventure. I know this is some sort of “whistling past the graveyard” thing. My version of a facelift. Trying to hang on to who I was 50 years ago. Wish me luck, Carlton.  Back in the 808 around 8AM December 29,

Don’t know if I’ll be able to update the blog. Or do facebook. Or even email.

UPDATE: I just found this report from the American Samoa EPA.

The American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency (AS-EPA) wishes to inform the public that on December 16, 2015 the following recreational beaches were found to be contaminated with enterococci bacteria levels that exceed AS-EPA Water Quality Standards:

East:

Gataivai Beach
Yacht club, Utulei Beach
Utulei Beach
Fagatogo Stream
Afono Stream
Vatia Stream
Aua Stream
Aua A/M video
Lauli’i Stream
Alega Beach
Fagaitua Stream
Masausi Stream
Amouli Beach
Tula Beach
Onenoa Beach

West:

Amanave Beach
Asili Stream
Leone Pala
Taputimu, Leala Beach

The public should not swim, wade, or fish within 400 feet of these polluted beaches. This advisory is in effect until further sampling and laboratory analyses indicate that enterococci concentrations are within water quality standards.

Water that contains excessive concentrations of enterococci bacteria is correlated with swimming-associated gastrointestinal diseases. Enterococci bacteria reside in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. Their presence in water indicates contamination by human and/or animal wastes. Swimmers in polluted water are at risk for many waterborne diseases, some of which may cause serious illness.

Note: AS-EPA laboratory monitors the water quality of 44 recreational beaches on Tutuila, the wharf in Aunu’u, and five beaches on Manu’a. Tutuila advisories are issued weekly.

So what you say? So what is that the 3rd Beach on that list is where my hotel is located. It has a nice collection of coral. I was planning on spending lots of time snorkeling around right outside my door. Now, it seems that I should not even walk outside of my hotel door.

I was kicking myself for not finding the sooner – but, the Dec 10th list didn’t include “my” beach. I figure that Dec 24th is as soon as the list will be updated. If then, being Xmas. No swimming allowed on Sunday. And, I assume no swimming on Xmas Day either. SO… this is no longer an ocean oriented vacation. I hung my wetsuit back up in my closet and removed my fins from the backpack. That will sort of remove the temptation to do something really stupid. I am taking my mask, snorkel, and booties. So, if things work out, I can take a little snorkel – but, it will not be the focus of the trip.

Whatever happens is what I planned.

My friend and swim buddy leaves for 3 weeks on the mainland tonight. We were out on a walk this morning when Peter took this butt shot of us and posted it on facebook.

Note to Carlton: You always worried about me and the ocean. Billy seriously encouraged me to take my wetsuit to Samoa. I like travelling light. And, don’t like to look whimpy. So, the wetsuit was on and off the go/no go list. Billy just kept nudging me to take it. It is basically a safety issue in Samoa’s toasty warm ocean. Realistically, I will be snorkeling alone. In an ocean that I know nothing about. The wetsuit makes me floatier. And, it protects parts of my body from dings. So, the old woman is going to wimp out and take the wetsuit. That should make you feel better, Carlton.

Tomorrow is packing day. Today – I went to Longs Drug and got the “stuff” that I normally take on trips to lesser developed regions. Lots of Pepto Bismol tablets, imodium, a DIY dental repair kit, caffeine pills… Except for the caffeine pills – I hope that all that other stuff just stays in the first aid ziplock bag.

Heading over to the Palace soon – Christmas Night at Hulihe’e. When I come back home I’ll steam some veggies and add some eggs – that will be dinner. Gotta get the fridge empty.

 

See my post from December 2009. That post describes a mind blowing experience. Well, it happened again. And, the kid that was the songleader in 2009 is now the “Director of Choral Music”. I thought I remembered him – and asked if he was here in 2009. Of course, it completely freaked him out that this old woman in a Mickey Mouse t-shirt would remember. Remember him specifically. Photographers never forget a face they focus carefully on in their viewfinder.

I was just visiting at the Palace – trying to get a few more steps on the fitbit – then someone mentioned that Kamehameha Schools was coming by within the hour. I hung around and was once again – turned to a little mound of quivering ectoplasm. And, every single one of those kids hugged me and said Aloha. Aloha that was felt and meant.

I think that this was my Xmas. In Hawai’i, there is a concept of “mana”. It is easy to say it means “power”. But, so so much more. It sure isn’t the modern day Western world version of power. I am just beginning to understand/feel it after all these years. Maybe, that is why I am going to Samoa. “Mana” isn’t really a Hawaiian concept. It is a Polynesian concept. The mana was tangible today.

I am pleased with the quality of the photos from my phone. I am currently happen with the native android camera app for normal snapshots, but I am liking Camera FV-5 for more thoughtful work. Oh what do I think of Android (Marshmallow)? Well, I like IOS better. It is just “nicer”. But, IOS, OS-X and Android do play pretty nicely together.

Started feeling better today. Better enough that I am starting to think about going to Samoa again. Hawai’i (Kona) is 19 degrees north of the equator. American Samoa is 14 degrees south. Our water temperature is 79 degrees today – and it is 83 degrees in Pago Pago. If you are curious about the water temperature in an ocean near you check out seatemperature.org

The interest is the ocean temperature is an input to my “take the wetsuit or not question”. Don’t need a wetsuit if the water temp is 83. But, I just feel safer in my wetsuit. It makes me lots floatier. I am not going to blend into Samoa. A white, old, skinny, woman alone – so, how much odder will I look in my wetsuit?

Party time today with my Kona Seaside ohana.

I was very careful with my food selections. I am still tired. I had a hard time making a little 3 mile walk this morning. Glad I have 4 more days to recover completely.

The Republican Follies have ceased to amuse. Time for them to grow up.

 

Every year the various units in the hotel decorate little trees. And, we get to vote on our favorite. Considering my recent illness – my vote went to the Maintenance Staff tree – n.b. they used a toilet seat as the tree stand.

Health update: I am feeling better.  Except for a little trip up the hill to mail my defective camera back and doing the laundry – I spent the day resting. And, eating a little “snack” every couple of hours. And, drinking tea. Don’t want to stress the system.

Yesterday, I wrote:

Frankly, this wasn’t the best possible day. The worse part was early this AM when my snorkel attempted to drown me….My room is a mess. Think I’ll put the computer to sleep, spend 15 minutes cleaning up my room and toddle off to bed. Tomorrow is another day.

Was I ever wrong – before I made it off to bed, came down with stomach flu, food poisoning, what have you… Spending quality time in my bathroom. Everything settled down a little, so I was able to go to the Holiday Tea at the Palace. Glad, I could make it because there were five no shows. I gave away all of my origami stars. Oh, the tea was lovely.

Came back home and went to bed and sleep. Woke up. Not feeling so very good. Just glad this isn’t next week, when I’ll be on my way to American Samoa. Note: the computer can be used as a makeshift hot water bottle/heating pad for stomach cramps.

I was testing my “health” or lack there of early this morning by walking to the pier – I was just able to get my camera pointed at the night heron before someone scared him off.

Frankly, this wasn’t the best possible day. The worse part was early this AM when my snorkel attempted to drown me. Well, it didn’t. And, the snorkel has been replaced.

Christmas Concert at the Palace this afternoon. And early this evening – the Second Annual Boat Parade. Yes Carlton, they have something new in Kona. You wouldn’t care for the Boat Parade. You didn’t really like parades or fireworks, and the boat parade was sort of like a combination fireworks/parade.

My room is a mess. Think I’ll put the computer to sleep, spend 15 minutes cleaning up my room and toddle off to bed. Tomorrow is another day.

 

You might just be in Hawai’i if a can of Spam shows up in your Xmas Parade.

Note to Carlton: There were no cement mixers or trash trucks in the parade this year.

But, the kahili that were being re-feathered returned with much fanfare today.

Headed out early this AM to the “best” place to photograph fish. A different SD Card was in the camera. Had a fish wrangler with me. Lots of fish but after about 10 minutes – the camera freezes.

So, I get a Return Authorization from BH Photo. But wait. I still want an underwater camera for Samoa. Should I try another TS30. But, by then the sun had set in the east and BH Photo was closed until sundown tomorrow.

Question to self. Is the TS30 worth 99 bucks. Assuming I have a lemon. And, I have this little feeling that my problems with the TS30 have something to do with video. Well, after a lunch of leftovers – I wriggle into my still wet wetsuit and head out into the bay. Not many fish were I went. But I was determined to get the best possible photos out of the TS30.

Took these four images this afternoon, just across the street. There are not a lot of this in this area. But, I don’t have to pay attention to anything except the fish. So, I was sure that the shots were auto focused correctly etc. And, since I suspected video might be the culprit – I didn’t play with video until I was cold and ready to come in.

I did no processing – except color correction to the video. It isn’t very good. The GoPro made lots better quality videos. But, I am not a videographer. I can just put some duct tape over the video button. The video did NOT lockup the TS30. However, when I was looking at the video in camera – it locked up. Video still seems to be the culprit.

Bottom Line: Let the lockup problem slide. I am trying to decide if I want to get a replacement. I do not want to invest a bunch of money in a “better” under water solution. Real underwater photography takes a good camera, lights, and a super expensive housing. I’d rather spend my camera $$$ on land-based lenses for my Oly.

So, the question is: Am I happy enough with the decidedly marginal quality of this $99 camera.

The answer is yes for in ocean work. But, it is not a substitute for by Oly. The quality is not as good as my phone camera.  My Oly is “weatherproof”. I have one “weatherproof” lens. So, bad weather isn’t really a problem. If it rains too hard, there is always the ziplock bag.