I got the message. I didn’t drink the water in Samoa. And, about all I ate was beef jerky (thanks Billy), instant oatmeal, and peanut butter (no jelly) sandwiches. Most days, I had one carefully selected meal out. Something from McDonalds, powdered eggs, grilled wahoo sandwiches and SteinLager. Today, I loaded up the fridge with fruit, veggies, cheese, chicken, yogurt – real food. And, by the way – I seem to have avoided any food borne illnesses. But, I don’t want anymore peanut butter (no jelly) sandwiches for a while.
Just got my 1443 images off the SD cards and out of Shamu the Phone and into the Lightroom. 100 images. That is my goal.
Nothing evil in the the mail packet from the asylum. But, I have a suggestion: Turn the surveillance of suspected terrorists over to my college alumni team. I have been trying to escape from them for 50 years. I have moved lots of times. I have NEVER told them where I am. They still think I am married to my starter husband. But, the bastards find me. They have tracked me to the old ladies asylum.
The Meduse – Seems like Paul Allen is back in the village too.
Got back to Winter Quarters a little after 9AM. Uneventful transit from American Samoa.
I got a mail packet from Falls Church. I will not open it until tomorrow when I should be more rested. The mail has waited since before Thanksgiving – it can wait for another day.
Carlton and I had different ideas about what to do as soon as you return from a trip. I put my unopened luggage in my closet and would get back in regular life. (Over the next week, I would unpack the luggage.) Carlton would immediately unpack his luggage, put things away, and stash the empty bags. Well, Carlton, today I did it your way. I really had to unpack – since my luggage was stuffed with wet/damp clothes. I unpacked, washed and dried clothes, and put everything away. It wasn’t so bad.
Having a little trouble with my Lightroom. Hopefully, I’ll get it sorted out and will be able to get all of my Samoa photos together.
It is a little after 4pm, leaving the hotel for the airport at 8pm. The plane flies at 11:30pm.
Went for a walk this morning and got completely drenched, right down to my granny panties. My skirt is not going to be close to dry. I’ll break out my emergency dry clothes and pack the wet stuff.
A little distress this afternoon. About five years ago, I had a series of nose bleeds. I had a little nose bleed this noon. I hope the plane ride doesn’t restart the bleeding.
I would say that my trip to Samoa has been a success. 4 days of sun. 3 days of rain. Took about 1000 pictures. Mostly bats.
So, I went for a small wet walk, read, drank coffee, made peanut sandwich, did some yoga, went for a second wet walk and discovered that Micky D was open. I was the only customer at 12:45. Came back to my room and watched frigate birds. Frigate birds can catch their own fish, but, they much preferred to steal it from other birds.
I think this is the greater Frigatebird wingspan about 7 feet. Which is the only reason I can photograph it with my macro lens. This is an adult because it is not showing any white spots.
It was raining most of the day today. didn’t let that bother me too much.
I made some packing mistakes. I surely did not need my snorkel stuff or bathing suits. I have been quite happy wearing my Samoa approved shorts and shirt for swimming.
And I really didn’t need to bring two lenses for my camera. Because, my camera body and the macro lens are so called weatherproof. And once I got the macro lens on, no way I was going to take it off and risk the camera in this hostile environment. It is unbelievable a humid here and I could just see all that humidity mucking up the insides of my camera.
Note to Carlton: the Redskins just won the division title surprised? And, VT played in some no-name Bowl this afternoon and they won.
Strange xmas eve, even for a devout non believer. Xmas just doesn’t rest easy with Pago Pago. There seems to be little interest in xmas. Surely no commercial activities. Sales. Itads, etc.
I decided this afternoon to throw caution to the wind and go for a swim. What is the worst that can happen? I’ll get some liver rotting bacterial infection and die. It was lovely. No fish. Sandy bottom.
Looking forward to tomorrow, for no apparent reason.
Yes, there really are giant bats. This one was from my balcony. As I was losing the light, I went looking for more. Tomorrow, I will start my hunt earlier.
I know, it is a crappy picture. I am using my macro lens.
Samoa. An interesting place. Like much of Polynesia, litter is a serious problem. They just haven’t realized that all that plastic isn’t going anywhere.
There might be a sidewalk all the way around the island for all I know. I have walked about 3 miles this morning and saw nobody on the sidewalk. I saw some boys having football practice. That was about it for people exercising. I might have the only Fitbit in the territory.
I am having a grand time. It is very hot, it is messy, the people are very big and very friendly.
Note to Carlton. Yes, they have generic island feral dogs. And, the dogs still fall for the imaginary rock throwing trick. The dogs are the biggest danger I have seen.
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:
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.
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.
Last Wednesday – Boat Day from Hale Halawai
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.
