Aunu'u Snorkeling

Tutuilla (as viewed from the water off Aunu'u):

Coral:

Boat Ride

For the visiting judges and clerks the High Court Marshall arranged an around-the-island boat ride with the Marine Patrol. Ned and I gladly invited ourselves to join.

We left Pago Pago Harbor around 8:00 a.m. heading east towards Aunu'u, then around the north side, arriving back in Pago Pago after 3.5 hours. A large amount of the north side is inaccessible, thus we were able to see parts of the island we never would otherwise.

Ned, Judge Tashima, and Dan:

Navy divers are currently attempting to remove aviation fuel from a long-ago-sunken ship in Pago Pago Harbor:

Aunu'u:

Dan and Marshall Nix off Afono/Vatia:

Pola Island / Cockscomb Point:

Waterfall cascading directly into ocean:

West End (a/k/a "Palagi Beach"):

On the dock:

Appellate Session

The High Court recently held its Appellate Session. As the court's staff is limited two off-island judges came down to help out; The Honorable A. Wallace Tashima of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and The Honorable Dean D. Pregerson of the Central District of California.

As a thank you for their service, the court held a fiafia which was attended by all the judicial branch staff along with the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

Fire dancing:

Important ladies dancing:

The ladies of the High Court (Alii, Tina, Roseanne) doing what they do best:

Governor Togiola:

NOAA Observatory

NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) maintains an observatory station on the eastern end of Tutuilla. The station's location is a quick hike from the main road. It offers great views of the island with some rocks and cliffs to hike down below.

The building:

Cliffs:

Me on cliff (photo by Ned):

Me and Ariel (photo by Ned):

View towards Aunu'u:

Fa'afafine Pageant

From Lonely Planet:

In general Samoans tend to share the attitude of other fundamental Christians and dislike gay men and women, but this is tempered by a tolerant but teasing attitude to fa'afafine - men who dress and behave like women. They see themselves as women trapped in a man's body, and have traditionally been outsiders who played the role of satirical jester and entertainer.

Fa'afafine are quite common in daily life -- from bartenders to bank tellers to hospital employees. Back in December, we attended the Fa'afafine Pageant at the H. Rex Lee Auditorium in town. The portions of the evening included "Las Vegas Showgirl", "Talent", "Evening Gown", and maybe one other?

The reigning Queen:

Peacock costume:

All contestants (Las Vegas Showgirl portion):

Talent competition. What it lacked in actual talent, it more than made up for in entertainment value:

Our favorite eventually took the coveted crown:

AmSam Amateur Boxing

Awhile back, we went to the Table Tennis Club to watch the sweet science: American Samoa Amateur Boxing. The pugilists ranged in age from about 5 to 18+. Some great fights, a few knockdowns, a shoulder dislocation, and enthusiastic fans made for an exciting day.

AS Boxing:

Unflappable:

Left hook:

Going to work with intensity:

Awesome shoes:

Kid in red had a serious size disadvantage, but held his own:

Full extension:

Knockdown:

Attacking:

Dancin':

English Garden Party

Because we're either bored or very creative, palagis (white people) tend to have a lot of theme parties. A few weekends ago was one of the all time greats. Lucy decided to throw a traditional English Garden Party in honor of her birthday & her father's visit all the way from the U.K. Oscar was kind enough to host at his swanky pad, Lucy's Kiwi fiancee Phil manned the croquet grounds, and everyone dressed in their best finery.

Oscar and Lucy:

Pimm's and Gingerale:

Bulldog:

Couple of Fancy Lads:

Croquet Players:

While a few attendees did lose their cool (particularly during the highly contested "biggest splash" contest), the majority maintained their manners and decorum throughout, making for the social event of the season.

A Visitor & Ice Cream

My friend Scott decided to stop by the island during his 3 month South Pacific surf trip. He'd been in Hawaii, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, and Samoa, so the pressure was on to provide an excellent experience.

We got skunked (twice!) getting into the American Samoa Community College production of the Lion King, which I'm told was excellent (really). We did get great surf the last 3 days, and Scott was able to get in a round of golf on Sunday.

The highlight, as always, was Samu Ice Cream. As the erudite Phil Murphy, the island's resident southerner, once said: "Samu's ice cream is just down right, slap-yo-momma good."

Nothing like partying in a gas station parking lot on a Saturday night. (L to R: Kayla, Voj, Jeremy, Ashley, Scott, Yours Truly, Lisa (hiding), Sarah):

By the way Phil -- I too got the shaft on ordering the Almond Rum. I'll never make that mistake again. Snickers, Rocky Road, and Oreo from here on out.

Speaking of ice cream, tonight I scored 3 boxes of San Francisco's finest -- Mint flavored IT'S IT, one of my all time favorites. Who says you can't get good food on the island?:

Fiji

I spent 11 days in Fiji partaking in various activities: I watched the Pago Pago Yacht Club paddlers make the territory proud in an outrigger race in Suva, caught some smallish surf at Wilkes Passage near Numotu and Tavarua, saw some great coral and marine life while diving, and relaxed in between all of that.

Our cabbie did a meticulous job washing the van window. At first I questioned his attention to detail. Once he started driving the ill-balanced vehicle at speeds upwards of 80 MPH on winding, two-lane roads, I was happy with the care he took:

River:

Ladies Team with a medal-worthy finish:

24 Hour Grog Shop, for that 4:00 am bowl of Kava:

Green Machine:

Ned and Doug get some reading done on the Coral Coast:

Mamanunca Islands:

Mana Island:

Tough Living: