Our first several days on Ofu

Who would ever have thought we'd            end up here!

Am so glad we ended up coming here last, after having visited several of the other islands in Samoa, and American Samoa.

Ofu, and Olosega are part of American Samoa, and this is paradise, at least for visitors. We wondered how we would manage an entire week on 2 islands, connected by a bridge, with a combined length of maybe 8 miles along the road, and paths east-west. Much narrower north-south. And the central peaks, and the rain forest are impenetrable, except for a couple of trails, one of which hasn't been maintained recently we hear.

Link to Ofu 1 pictures

Craig downloaded lots of reading material, we got some snorkeling gear, and ahead of time, decided we had made the right decision, as we preferred not to charter a small boat. An open boat ride across potentially very choppy seas, is the only option, if you don't come, and depart, on the once-a-week plane. So we came for a week, and are very happy we did!

We have walked, one day a total of 8+miles; have snorkeled; I admire the coral washed up on the beaches, and take far too many pictures. The National Park Service maintains parkland both here, and on Tutuila, and we so far have had their mile-long, gorgeous beach all to ourselves! This is maybe 1/2 mile from the lodge we are staying at, along a concrete road. 

Craig is fascinated by all the fruit bats, and we read they are a necessary part of a rain forest, and are being protected here.

We had hoped to walk along a path past the village of Olosega, but the 'mayor' there denied us the permission we need to do so. If the park ranger returns before we leave, we might still be able to go.

The villages own, and manage the land, and our hostess, who grew up here, but has spent years in the continental USA, including in the military, said this man is annoying. There was an incident some years back, when 2 women had to be rescued, when they went up a peak we had no intention of hiking due to the fact the trail isn't maintained.

Yesterday afternoon, and all morning today, it has rained. We heard some thunder a couple of hours ago, and the waves were pretty strong yesterday morning, so I was a bit uncomfortable snorkeling then. This means Craig has read for hours, and finished one book he found here. I have spent time on planning for New Zealand where we will travel with friends Kim and Chris in March. We chat with our host and hostess, who both are very nice. Her parents started this business, and they both have interesting backgrounds.

So we have had no difficulty doing 'nothing', and will now head out for a walk, as the rain has stopped. They are expecting a family to arrive here today, and it should be interesting to hear about their boat ride in the rain.

Samoans believe these islands are haunted. Our hosts tell us that visitors are often warned against coming here because of the ghosts. Local inhabitants believe it too, and tend to attribute misfortunes to the ghosts. Our hosts say they are not superstitious, but have had some eerie experiences.