Canton Vid

We've really enjoyed our time here. Met tons of new people. Most of the folks in the anchorage have been here for a while, and have good stories to tell. Barbarella shared with us their story and video of the 2009 tsunami here. Wow. And several of the boats were here for this year's cyclone. We also had the opportunity to talk with cruisers who spent 4 months at Canton Island. We hope to go there, so it was fabulous to hear their impressions, and get their feedback on what would be useful things to take for the community (bic lighters, innertube patches, gasoline and fabric!).

They also showed us their video on Canton. It was fabulous, feel free to have a look:

Thoughts on American Samoa and Pago Pago

Some quick thoughts on Pago Pago...

• incredibly friendly people
• conservative culture - long skirts and sleeves are the norm
• very religious...multiple churches on every block. Most people go to church everyday, and maybe even multiple churches. 
• when the wind is just right, the smell from the tuna factory is...well...ripe
• check in and out was easy for us.$65 total. 
• Shopping was American prices. And surprisingly...all American brands. wild.
• Huge unemployment here. Tough economy. Major employers are the tuna cannery, and the police/military/gov't. 
• Lots of garbage. Everywhere.
• Love the lavalava (sarong-style skirts worn by everyone).

We're on our way this afternoon for an overnight sail to Samoa. (Used to be Western Samoa or Independant Samoa). We're going in tandem with Secret Agent Man, and looking forward to seeing La Familia. Aparently, we'll be tying up at a marina! Wahoo!!

Mt. Alava

Another climb to the top! This time, Mt Alava provided a nice climb to its peak along a deserted service road, to the radio tower at the top. There were also the rusty remains of an old cable car that used to transport tourists across the harbour up to this point.

Pago Pago Harbour - with Pago Pago village on the right and Fagatogo village on the left. Renova is the 2nd boat on the right.

Pago Pago Harbour

The descent would have been a fabulous MOMAR adventure race course! It was steep, with ladders and ropes to guide us down the slopes to the village of Vatia. We had wobbly Elvis-legs by the time we reached the bottom of the village.

Just a few of the 783 steps on the descent

It was Sunday, when swimming is frowned up, so we sat in the shade of a tree, while we hoped for a car that would come by to give us a lift back to the other side of the harbour. After 20 minutes, two wonderful ladies drove by and were more than happy to drive us back to the boat, giving us important economic and culture lessons of Samoa along the way!

More Outboard Engine Repair

I know. You're scratching your head, wondering what is wrong with that picture. Yet another pic of John tinkering with our outboard. But wait a minute. That isn't a 70's era Evinrude?? I KNOW!! :O)

We noticed our next-door-boat had this tiny outboard on his stern, and a great big dinghy, with a good sized outboard. We decided to investigate. Turns out...he isn't using this one. It doesn't run, but hasn't been used
too much and isn't very old, and he's happy to sell it to us, if we can get it running. Well... You can only imagine the monstrous grin on John's face!

John's in his happy place. Cleaning fuel lines. Rebuilding the carbarator. Going for laps around Renova. Happy guy.

Provisioning...gone to heaven!

Riding the buses is a great adventure - blaring music, cheap - $1, and lots of local culture

We joined forces with the crew from Selah for a mission out to the Cost-U-Less. Just like Costco. It was a great mission! John and I loaded up with staples and were happy to be paying US prices, much cheaper than in French Polynesia!

Just like home...almost

The crew of Selah had other prioirities. The four boys managed to fill up a cart's worth of items just from the sweets and treats aisle! Nice.


We had planned to share a cab back to town, but we were thrilled when Roland, the store manager, offered to take take us and our loot back in his truck! We loaded in, and took off. The boys were stuffed in between boxes of licorice and gummy bears, and Dixie and I riding in style in the cab!

A boat load of groceries!

It was touch and go, but we managed to fit all our goodies into the dinghy in one load. Hurray. But...that's only half of it. Now we have to find places to stash all this stuff on the boat!

Fitting everything into our little dinghy!

Arrival in American Samoa

We have just arrived in American Samoa. We traveled the 465 nm in under 4
days. We had a beautiful downwind sail the entire way, only occasionally
having to do minor adjustments to the sails from time to time. We spent the
time reading, listening to podcasts, watching Dexter and just lounging.

We're now in American Samoa. Because we've arrived on a Sunday, we can't
officially check in with customs until tomorrow (unless we want to pay
overtime fees), so we are supposed to stay on the boat until we are cleared.
Others in the anchorage have already told us that they are rigid about the
rules, but relaxed and friendly, and won't mind us going ashore. Hmmm.

The Sunkist Tuna Factory. Best not to be downwind.

The harbour here is pretty disgusting. Plastic floats all around us. The
tuna factory on the shores provides a distinctive odour. But, the mountains
that rise above each side of the harbour are lush and green, and the
buildings are painted in a variety of bright and cheerful colors. We're looking
forward to exploring.

We were pleased to see two familiar boats in the anchorage - Australia 31 and Secret Agent Man. We received a warm welcome and enjoyed catching up on the last few weeks over evening cocktails!

Yacht Anchorage - we're here with 10 boats, most of whom have spent the season here.

We passed the golden arches on the way into the harbour, and now all John
can talk about is burgers and french fries. I expect we'll be making a visit
before too long. Not sure how I can be so anti-McD's at home, yet cave so
easily here. Nostalgia? Perhaps.