The tour guide on our 20 seater mini coach introduced herself by saying that a good day in Samoa is 29 degrees. A bad day is 42 degrees! I am told it got up to 42 degrees Celsius today. Yet, I was comfortable for most of the time. Contrary to Cunard’s warnings, Samoa’ s fleet of mini coaches are modern and air conditioned. I think around 6 were used on our tour, “Coastal Villages and Tropical Gardens”.
Unfortunately, it was Sunday; Samoa is what the UK should be, closed in most places with church hugely important. There are many branches of Christianity practiced there, and the churches are full. Females attend, traditionally, their services dressed in white.
The little I saw of this spectacular island was lovely beyond compare. Away from the shore, the land rose into vegetation covered hills and mountains. Rainfall is frequent and plentiful, but we dodged a good soaking all day. From the ship, one could see distant rainfall on the hillsides, as seen in the pictures which come with this blog. A photo stop was made at Plum Pudding Rock, and then at the church of St. Peter, and school at Falefa Village.
We were later served a selection of fresh tropical fruit at Gina’s Tropical Garden, a paradise setting of an acre or two of trees, plants, flowers and shrubs, “straight out of a National Geographic Magazine”. It’s hard to recall having ever been in a lovelier place.
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I am told (I may be wrong), that the harbour we used in Samoa will be the last time it is used by a Cunard ship. A new cruise terminal is being constructed on the other side of the island. These images should be self explanatory.
I visited the temporary market stall set up by the locals. We were prohibited from acquiring bone, wood, shells and many other local crafts; this sort of negating much of a one-off business opportunity.
I hope you enjoyed this brief account of my day in Samoa.
All the best, David.
David's Cruise 