Just another day in a Pacific island paradise

Think you know sunsets?????

Getting there...

Famous Aggie Grey's hotel in Apia

restaurant and bar at LeVasa Resort

Sunrise upon our arrival. Monono and Savaii

islands in the distance

The flight from LA was long and uncomfortable to say the least. We snoozed, ate, read,watched movies, and dozed. When the plane began its descent, I was strangely overcome with emotion for some reason. I couldn't wait to get off the plane and smell the air....we were welcomed by a chest crushing humidity! Faleolo airport is tiny and old; not busy at all, we were the only plane. Cousin Sonny's driver was waiting there with my name written on a poster (odd seeing that), we signed proper papers and the car was ours for the week. It was 5:30 am pacific time and check in wasn't until 2:00. We were anxious to see the island. The main road from Faleolo airport and Apia is a narrow two lane with the ocean in plain sight the entire length (it's a small island). Samoans start their day before daylight because of the heat so there was much activity at that time. School children everywhere dressed in uniforms. There was a strange familiarity, probably because of things my dad had told me years ago. I didn't think the boys in lava lavas were strange, I recognized breadfruit trees although I'd never seen one in my life, the fales were just as I had imagined, and yes, there really were pigs and chickens everywhere!!And dogs!!! The island is very clean. There are magnificent churches about every mile it seems like, many denominations. Tall coconut palms everywhere. The pink and gold sunrise over the ocean was overwhelming and the lush vegetation and colors of the island were beautiful. Anything that grows out of the ground had a fruit or a blossom on it!!! It was wonderful!!

We drove some 20 minutes from the airport into Apia town and walked around the harbor. It's a busy little city and everyone honks their horn. I thought it rude at first but they do it mostly out of courtesy.("passing now, go ahead, watch out, etc") We had a great breakfast at the famous Aggie Grey's hotel, first time to eat "pane popo" which would prove to be a favorite of everyone. More on the food later. Saw the fale where Marlon Brando stayed. The hotel is very old and full of charm and yes, flowers everywhere. The bathroom had a sign posted with instructions in case of a tsunami. Hmmmmmm. The most disappointing thing was seeing a McDonalds!

We drove back toward the resort, still open-mouthed about all around us, but we were still early so they invited us sit at the open air restaurant or take a look around the grounds. We were about to begin a fabulous and memorable week, and it only took a lifetime to get there!!!

Upolu, Samoa