Independent Samoa

While my Mom was visiting last September we took a trip to Independent ("Western") Samoa. Why it took this long to post these pictures I'm not quite sure.

Leaving:

We stayed at the very nice Coconuts Beach Club, an all-inclusive resort on the south coast of the island of Upolu:

The south-island road:

Our fale (outside):

Our fale (inside):

The view from Coconuts:

Relaxing at the restaurant:

Over-the-water fales:

Coconut harvesting demonstration:

Great 'floating' conditions out front:

We visited the Black Sand Beach, one of the nicest beaches I've ever seen:

As Joe P. would say -- "I wonder what the poor people are doing?":


Drove down to Lalomanu on the SE corner:

Stopped at the To Sua Ocean Trench:

Inside the trench:

Through the pouring rain I saw a breaching whale and some potential greybeards rolling in:

The storm continued back at Coconuts:

We took a bus over the cross-island road to Robert Louis Stevenson's estate. The road to Vailima:

Vailima:

My friend Eddie stands to inherit a zebra rug and an elephant foot umbrella holder. This would add nicely to his collection:

RLS's trunks:


View from the porch:

Coming from American Samoa, Apia feels like New York City. The population of Apia alone is almost equal to that of all of American Samoa:

Apia church:

Stopped at the famed Aggie Grey's for a drink:

Unfortunately, we were never able to ride the "Legalise It" bus: