July 24 - More of Brooke's Visit.

Vavau is a very nice beach that we had never been aware of before our return this time. It is one of the nicest places we go to now. Just so you know what a good missionary I was, this was in my very first area and I didn't even know it existed.

Some people like to spend more time in the sun than others. After a while, I relocated to a nice rock bed where I read and then contemplated what I read. In fact, it was a very deep contemplation.

After swimming all day at Vavau, you can shower off and remove sand and salt in this very private (?) shower. Actually, we went to Togitogiga Falls to clean up and swim in the fresh water after the day in the sun.

The mission prep boys had to give us a show as well. all of the young men here sing beautifully. They have deep voices and sing loud and in parts. they are willing to sing and dance at the drop of a hat.

School boys doing their part on the program at Sauniatu.

A beautiful little girl who danced the "Taualuga", a dance traditionally performed by the village virgin or High Chief's daughter.

The children at Sauniatu prepared a special program for our neighbors' family and we tagged along. Above you'll see better pictures but this photo shows the legs of the music leader. He has a disease called "elephantitis". It's real name might be something like Philariasis. A certain kind of mosquito deposits it's eggs and they grow in the lymph system, I believe. It stops everything up and over time the retained liquid in the lymph system swells the limbs or other affected body parts. It becomes very uncomfortable and debilitating but this guy could still really dance.


Brooke's turn at Papase'ea.
She is a real trooper and enjoyed the slides. She thinks it may be right up there as one of the best things she did in Samoa.



Our kids have heard of "Papase'ea" or "Sliding Rock" all of their lives. I think it is one of the first places they want to go when they get here. Brooke had her wish and we went shortly after her arrival. This is Dad coming down the big slide.

The Hibiscus is called "Aute" in Samoan. Traditionally it is red but in recent years hybrids have been developed in various other colors. Kathy liked this particular one and captured it. The hibiscus is synonymous with Samoa. I wish I could find a link to the song "Beautiful Red Hibiscus". It is one of my favorites.

We traveled to the back of the island for dinner at Coconuts Resort. On the way, we stopped at Sinalei Resort to show Brooke around. We went down to the dock and took this picture of Brooke and Mom with the bay and shoreline in the distance.

About 20 young men from around the country of missionary age spend the better part of a year in Sauniatu preparing and learning what is needed to be able to serve a mission and also receive job preparation training. Most of them have limited english skills and they have not been able to complete school. Often they come from areas where they do not have many peers in the church. They get daily instruction and live together in dormitories. There is usually a senior couple to work with them and local brethren who are great examples for them. They have an institute class specifically for them and they get to spend the weekends at home with their families.
Here they are preparing their evening meal of palusami, taro, green bananas and breadfruit which they cook in an above ground rock oven or "umu".

Another shot of our beach fale. Brooke and Roy are trying to relax in the hardest wooden chairs ever made.

Brooke was close enough here to get the spray all over her.

On the trip to Savai'i, we stopped at the Taga Blowholes. The shoreline is lava rock and there is no reef so the waves just pound on the rocks. The water is forced through some lava tubes and shoots out and up as high as 60 feet or more. Needless to say you don't get too close.

Shortly after brooke arrived, we went to dinner at CocoBanana. There are several restaurants here that don't have walls - just roofs. It was a pleasant evening with a light breeze and nice view over the Apia Harbor in the distance.

Brooke couldn't resist the Banyans on the way to Sauniatu. She had to play in them. They remind her of "LOST".