Samoa -Thursday

I had intended to take another early morning walk to the village but I never woke until 7.20am, and I thought I had left it too late heat-wise for the return walk, so I dozed some more. As it turned out, it was a slightly drizzly morning and a bit cooler than other days.

After breakfast I sat on my balcony for a while, and all the action appeared in front of me. Suddenly there was one of the wonderful gardeners, climbing up the coconut tree to trim its old branches and the coconuts.

All ended well, but I was nervous for him!

Today I took my first swim at higher tide, with just my lane swimming goggles, and the water was murkier and I never spied many fish. The best time for snorkelling is definitely 90mins either side of low tide. But it was still a great time for a swim.

Low tide wasn't until later in the afternoon today, and I enjoyed the snorkelling so much. I am used to the 'blurry' bits now that happen when you pass over the mineral freshwater springs- and I know it's not a problem with my goggles. And each time I have gone out I have noticed more different kinds of fish. Such splendid shimmering colours. Magical. Today a new family arrived and there were delighted sounds from the children as they noticed some of these beautiful fish.

It looked like there might be more rain but it never amounted to more than a few spits.

Truly eat your hearts out. This is the view from under the shady tree I have adopted for the week!

There was more excitement landside- I spotted a crab, with quite a large shell moving along the sand. Great to see one of the creatures making some of the trails that I had noticed in the sand.

And I explored a nearby rock pool. Can you spot the tiny blue iridescent fish swimming?

Then it was time for another sunset in Paradise.

At dinner tonight I joined a couple from Waipukurau who came over on the same flight. Small world. And one's a teacher... even smaller world!

Wednesday pt2

After another day spent mainly on the beach, it was time for another Sunset in Paradise.

This evening was the cultural buffet, and the dancing and fire-dancing were spectacular. A young village boy, about ten, was one of the fire-dancers, and he  was amazing! This resort is Samoan owned and run, and it was staff members and family who featured in this performance. Many of the female dancers are involved as cleaners, wait staff etc during the day.

The light dancing is spectacular. It was hard to capture its wonderfulness in  single shots, but the videos I took show the movement more clearly. I'll try and post one when I get home. One of the dancers recently won a national competition for fire dancing, and a young boy involved (10yo?) also did really well in an under-18 competition. He was taught by one of the other group members, one who isn't staff, but who is family, and a local policeman.

At the dinner I learned that the tsunami didn't hit this coast, but there was extensive cyclone damage. The early construction of the resort was destroyed by cyclone Evan.

Another day over- more relaxing tomorrow!

Wednesday in Paradise

Day 2 and I was really into relaxing groove. I started the day with an earlyish walk back up the road to the village. I started walking in the shade, but coming back in the sunshine was much warmer!

There were more coastal views along the way. I might return this way to see the sunset one afternoon.

Along the road I passed other 'resorts' with beach-side fale, right on the beachfront with natural sea-breezes for air-conditioning.

In the village was quite a large primary school and a large church. The school, like many of the local buildings, had some large open structures that just had fabric curtains around the edges in parts.

By the church some of the local pigs and piglets were roaming freely and eating off the grass. 

There was a shop and taxi booth at the end of the road where it turned in a Y junction towards the main road.

There was a restaurant en route, but I think it might be too hot/dark for an evening walk. This resort is beautiful but everything is expensive. It would  be good to have a hire car to eat off-site, and buy some provisions. 

You also pay to enter local beach areas, and clearly the locals need this income.

It was getting hotter as I continued to walk slowly back to the resort. 

But I made it back safely to my cool room, top middle of this block.And this was my breakfast view.

After my walk, back at breakfast, I was greeted by the owner and invited to share a table with her and her husband at the cultural dinner and feast that evening.

It was a day for more swimming and snorkelling and reading on the beach. Such a beautiful place to relax in. See Pt2 for the rest of the day!

First day in Paradise- Tuesday

Daylight dawned and I got my first proper look at the beach.  I was glad I had paid a little more for an ocean view and this is what I saw first thing from my generously sized balcony. 

And  truly it is every bit as beautiful as you could imagine a tropical beach might be. We are on the southern coast, and the morning light gradually lit up the beach from the eastern left-hand side. First it was sunlight on the palm trees... then it gradually gave the whole beach its warm glow. 

Crab trails dotted the sand, and bits of broken coral lay at the beach edge. It was close to high tide at the start of the day.

I was pleased to discover that early morning is relatively 'cool' ie just early 20s. I quite like a bit of cool wth my heat.

Today was largely a 'sit in the shade of a small tree on the sandy beach and read a book' kind of day. I had brought a big mystery novel from NZ. Strange though it might seem, I find it a good way to switch off completely from work mode. And this was the tree I plonked my chair under all day, just moving it around as the shade moved...

The sitting was interspersed with some swimming and snorkelling. Some lovely fish around, delicate colours. The discovery of yet another beautifully coloured fish is what I love. The water was 'delicious' to swim in as well. It was very warm in places, then there were these delicious cold currents. What I have learned today is that the cold bits are freshwater mineral springs, where water is seeping up from the rocks below. This also explained why I thought my mask wasn't working properly as I kept getting into 'blurry' places. Those places are where the mineral springs are. 

There is a beautiful cooling breeze by the ocean, but when you step back towards the buildings you realise just how intense the day's heat really is! It is not a humid heat though- simply strong. 

I was on the beach as the sun set through the palm trees on the right hand side of the beach. It had become pleasantly 'cool' by then.

I am surprised I haven't seen that many birds, though a red-headed bird popped onto a table in the cafe to dip its beak in a red hibiscus flower on the table!

My room is beautiful and the air-conditioning works perfectly when I want it! A sneaker selfie nearly ends this post.

But the day's sunset has to have the last word. 

Journeying to Samoa

Monday morning it was time to leave Palmy for my flight to Auckland. Thankfully, not foggy in Auckland!

Auckland Airport International Departures was the busiest I have seen it- with many red shirts and happy faces in evidence. 

Eventually it was my turn to depart. The flight was three and a half hours long and seemed to pass by quite quickly, which is just as well as it seemed like my nose was shoved up very close to the next person's seat back. It was the first time I have experienced Air New Zealand's The Works kind of flight. I had paid to eat, but I must say it was really odd eating when the two people right beside me weren't. I might bring my own cold meal next time- perhaps that is their aim.

On arrival at the airport in Samoa, we were serenaded in the baggage hall. And I quickly spied my name on a card as I exited the terminal. They turned on the air-con in the van while we waited for a couple who had gone to the bank. All very cruisy and relaxed. Had to look hard to find a single person on a mobile phone. The driver and his mate found it very hard to understand that I had travelled on  my own, without a mate...

It was a night-time 25km journey to the resort I was staying in -Return to Paradise. I had to take a quick look at the beach... and was delighted to find my room was indeed very close. And it was beautiful with a lovely big deck.

Stars filled the sky. I was looking forward to using my snorkel next morning.....

One really nice thing the Resort had done- since it was late, and the restaurant was closed, they provided a sandwich at reception.. I was hungry, and it was much appreciated.