American Samoa September 2012

Pago Pago, American Samoa

During the school break a year ago we flew over to American Samoa. We stayed with our friends, Elder and Sister Jordan. We met them in the mission home and the Spencers, Budgetts and Jordans became close friends. We also heard that you could find some American type food on that island so we got a meat permit to take with us so we could bring back frozen chicken etc. The Jordans take care of all the mail for the mission in Western Samoa. We are so thankful to them because they personally put our packages on an airplane so we can get them. It is so fun to get a package from home and especially the canned chicken and other treats the kids send us.

We booked tickets on Polynesian Air and Flew over to American Samoa. It took about 35 minutes in a very tiny plane. The last person on board shuts the door ( Jim). He thought that was very interesting.
When we arrived we started touring around the island. There is one road and it runs along the beach. American Samoa is very mountainous with steep, tall peaks. It is very beautiful and so much smaller than Savaii. We had a wonderful 3 days and really enjoyed our stay. They have a Car'ls Jr Hamburger joint and we all really enjoyed the treat!

Pago Pago is an American deep water port and was used during World War II as a strategic spot to base the soldiers. They put gun turrets all around the island to protect it from the Japanese Army. Some of the turrets are being eroded away by the ocean.

The Samoans like to pose when ever they see a camea!

The brown speck is a Flying Fox- Bat!!!

Elder and Sister Osborne met us for one of our daily excursions.

We took one day and went to Aunuu - a little island off the end of American Samoa. The boat ride over was interesting and fun! When Sister Spencer saw the boat, she gasped! "Is that our boat?" We all laughed.
We went for a hike on the island and visited with the village members. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. They invited all of us for drinks and a visit. It was fun to meet some of the people on that island. It is the island that the first missionaries to Samoa landed and has a historic marker on it. The students get on that boat to attend high school every day!


















We saw Charlie the Tuna and the tuna factory along with the beautiful beaches. We also stopped at a monument honoring those that lost their lives in the tsunami that devastated American Samoa just a few years ago. Many of the homes have still not been rebuilt and they still live in the government emergency tents.

Some of the beautiful scenery on American Samoa!