Yesterday a very friendly taxi driver, Tusi, took us for an eight hour tour of Upolu, the largest of two main islands. Savaii the other island is home to only about a quarter of the population of Samoa.
We traveled along expansive beach roads, jungle paths with waterfalls, traditional villages, lush valleys and a hydroelectric dam.
There are over 362 nu'u or villages in Samoa with a total of 18,000 matais (chiefs) who administer justice in the villages. Their power is so great that if anyone in a family breaks a law they can seize their property and kick them out of the village. The crime rate here is extremely low due to the fear of these matais.
A tour of the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum took us through his 400 acre estate, the main house a stately abode with a music room, medical room several bedrooms and vast verandas. First edition copies of his books Treasure Island, Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde and Kidnapped were in the library.
The villages are simple structures built for meeting places and houses that are very simple in design, many with no walls and only netting hanging for sleeping comfort. Gardens encompass all the villages and each home is beautifully kept with an explosion of colors, especially red hues.
The men here wear the lava lava, a sarong like skirt. Even officials wear them as their uniform.
The people are quite friendly and seem very happy. Prices for food and other supplies are significantly cheaper than we saw in French Polynesia.
Today we were visited by Tusi the taxi driver and he brought us a traditional Sunday lunch. Taro leaves stuffed with coconut, chicken curry, fried chicken, sausage and taro root. A lovely treat which gave to good kipping this afternoon.
Many of the bits and pieces we needed fixed have been accomplished, except for the sat phone...still have to find a part to be able to connect it to the computer. Also the Canon battery charger can not be fixed.
Luckily we have sailed the longest journey and will not be out of touch for long times between the remaining islands of our course. Until we set sail for New Zealand.
We may be able to access an Internet cafe here to post photos of Samoa, if not we will post asap.
We are watching weather patterns and will look to set sail next week weather permitting. Our first stop will be Niuatoputapu, cruisers call it "New Potatoes" for the difficulty in pronouncing it. This will be the first of our Tonga journey.
All is well. Cheers from Breeze