Five and a half years of a university education comprised of a BHK, one year of Pharm and one year of a BSc not to mention the countless jobs I just had to have, could not have been celebrated any better than with a trip to a Polynesian Island. Destination..Tanu Beach Fales, Savaii, Samoa.
Christian and I stepped off the plane into a humid, tropical blanket of heat. After living in the Dunedin freezer for 4 months it was a welcomed warmth. Before even getting to customs, we were pulled aside by the K9-unit; big trouble was all I could think. Turns out he just wanted us to help with their "training" and planted a scent on Christian to see if the dog could pick it out. A rather odd introduction to a new country, but hey, when in Rome.
The next day we had a couple hours to burn before heading to Savaii. What better way to kill some hours than take a walk? On our way out the door, we were told it would be a good idea to take an umbrella. "Even though its not raining?" I piped in. "O, well it isn't for the rain" said the concierge in a serious tone "its for the dogs". The four of us stared at her, laughed awkwardly and timidly made our way outside. Much like Kelowna once had a an overpopulation of wild bunnies on Enterprise, Samoa has an over abundance of wild dogs, well, everywhere. Thankfully the umbrella served just as a walking stick for the morning, no dogs had to be warned.
Our ferry left at 2pm that day. We weren't on it. Apparently there was not enough room. It ended up being for the better, not only did we get to have some drinks on the warf, we also managed to score the bigger ferry with protection from the sun. My stomach at this point was not agreeing too well with me - I am convinced it was from the BBQ we had the night before. No matter, a lay down and a coke (in a 750 mL glass bottle nonetheless) helped my cause and I was ready to go when we reached the warf on the other side.
Driving to our little villiage of Manase, I felt like Marty McFly; that's putting it gently. There were no typical North American houses to be seen. Instead, huts lined the roads. Some had cement floors and palm curtains (one even had a 42" flat screen) yet there were no doors. Better circulation for tropical weather I gather.
Arriving at our villiage we pulled into a beautiful little beach resort - and I use that term lightly - and were shown to our Fale by one of the chief's daughters, Java. It couldn't have been more perfect. Two matresses on a wooden floor, weaved palm leaf shutter walls, mosquito nets and a 60 watt bulb. No internet, no plug in and a cell phone that was buried on plane mode - perfection.
We were told that dinner would be at 7:30, and there was no need to worry about watching the clock as they would ring a bell when we had to come to the table. I could get used to such a luxury. Dinner was fabulous. A heaping plate of rice, Samoan curry, taro root, taro leaves in coconut cream, fried fish and chicken. There was not a speck left on that plate.
Some drinking may have ensued following dinner. Duty free + first night in a new country + 5 newly graduated physio students = animal call drinking games until 4 am. Luckily the bell would wake us up for breakfast at 8 am.
It was a 9 day stint at Tanu Beach. Each day consisted of a pretty similar framwork. Bell wake up for breakfast at 8am, nap, snorkel, snack, nap, hike, read book, nap, bell for dinner, movie/chill/night swim. There is no subsitute for a week and a half where the biggest concern stems from a decision between snorkeling at morning high tide or afternoon high tide.
After a while however, it becomes hard doing a lot of nothing much. Thus, Christian and I embarked on a 40km bike ride. Truthfully, it was partly out of necessity. The only ATM was back at the warf and that happens to be, lets see, 40km away. Riding beside the most beautiful beaches in the world and some of the most lush jungle I have ever seen made it a little bit easier to handle. Our reward at the end, a big North American inspired lunch with a chocolate shake to wash it down. Riding back was not an option, instead we hopped onto a bus. We rocked out to Samoan Christmas carols the whole way..it was the greatest bus ride I have had to date.
The bus came complete with a Winnie the Pooh sunshade...these guys know how to rock out hard!
It was so hot during the day that I couldn't eat anything, yes you heard right, I just couldn't do it. I did, however, find an addicting little treat - ice pops. It was like a juiced up freezie, frozen coconut cream with strawberry flavor. I was hooked and happy.
Christian and I stepped off the plane into a humid, tropical blanket of heat. After living in the Dunedin freezer for 4 months it was a welcomed warmth. Before even getting to customs, we were pulled aside by the K9-unit; big trouble was all I could think. Turns out he just wanted us to help with their "training" and planted a scent on Christian to see if the dog could pick it out. A rather odd introduction to a new country, but hey, when in Rome.
The next day we had a couple hours to burn before heading to Savaii. What better way to kill some hours than take a walk? On our way out the door, we were told it would be a good idea to take an umbrella. "Even though its not raining?" I piped in. "O, well it isn't for the rain" said the concierge in a serious tone "its for the dogs". The four of us stared at her, laughed awkwardly and timidly made our way outside. Much like Kelowna once had a an overpopulation of wild bunnies on Enterprise, Samoa has an over abundance of wild dogs, well, everywhere. Thankfully the umbrella served just as a walking stick for the morning, no dogs had to be warned.
Our ferry left at 2pm that day. We weren't on it. Apparently there was not enough room. It ended up being for the better, not only did we get to have some drinks on the warf, we also managed to score the bigger ferry with protection from the sun. My stomach at this point was not agreeing too well with me - I am convinced it was from the BBQ we had the night before. No matter, a lay down and a coke (in a 750 mL glass bottle nonetheless) helped my cause and I was ready to go when we reached the warf on the other side.
Driving to our little villiage of Manase, I felt like Marty McFly; that's putting it gently. There were no typical North American houses to be seen. Instead, huts lined the roads. Some had cement floors and palm curtains (one even had a 42" flat screen) yet there were no doors. Better circulation for tropical weather I gather.
Arriving at our villiage we pulled into a beautiful little beach resort - and I use that term lightly - and were shown to our Fale by one of the chief's daughters, Java. It couldn't have been more perfect. Two matresses on a wooden floor, weaved palm leaf shutter walls, mosquito nets and a 60 watt bulb. No internet, no plug in and a cell phone that was buried on plane mode - perfection.
This was the view we woke up to every morning...I will just come out and say it...I am a lucky guy.
We were told that dinner would be at 7:30, and there was no need to worry about watching the clock as they would ring a bell when we had to come to the table. I could get used to such a luxury. Dinner was fabulous. A heaping plate of rice, Samoan curry, taro root, taro leaves in coconut cream, fried fish and chicken. There was not a speck left on that plate.
Some drinking may have ensued following dinner. Duty free + first night in a new country + 5 newly graduated physio students = animal call drinking games until 4 am. Luckily the bell would wake us up for breakfast at 8 am.
It was a 9 day stint at Tanu Beach. Each day consisted of a pretty similar framwork. Bell wake up for breakfast at 8am, nap, snorkel, snack, nap, hike, read book, nap, bell for dinner, movie/chill/night swim. There is no subsitute for a week and a half where the biggest concern stems from a decision between snorkeling at morning high tide or afternoon high tide.
After a while however, it becomes hard doing a lot of nothing much. Thus, Christian and I embarked on a 40km bike ride. Truthfully, it was partly out of necessity. The only ATM was back at the warf and that happens to be, lets see, 40km away. Riding beside the most beautiful beaches in the world and some of the most lush jungle I have ever seen made it a little bit easier to handle. Our reward at the end, a big North American inspired lunch with a chocolate shake to wash it down. Riding back was not an option, instead we hopped onto a bus. We rocked out to Samoan Christmas carols the whole way..it was the greatest bus ride I have had to date.
The bus came complete with a Winnie the Pooh sunshade...these guys know how to rock out hard!
It was so hot during the day that I couldn't eat anything, yes you heard right, I just couldn't do it. I did, however, find an addicting little treat - ice pops. It was like a juiced up freezie, frozen coconut cream with strawberry flavor. I was hooked and happy.
Now for some random snaps and less words. Enjoy.
This little guy had to join us at the dinner table
Captivated by the darling little kids, I had to convice Christian that he couldn't take one with us.
This was my favorite ice pop stand; I imagine I was lured in by the flamboyant colors of the lava lavas.
The one resort we went to for a much needed lunch after a 40km bike ride. I had a burger, fries and a shake...how Canadian.
On a hike through the forest one afternoon I came across one of the most absurd mushrooms. It was just fantastic.
After the hike, we had the pleasure of meeting the Village chief and his wife. When he pulled a cell phone out of his pocket I almost lost it.
On a hike through the forest one afternoon I came across one of the most absurd mushrooms. It was just fantastic.
After the hike, we had the pleasure of meeting the Village chief and his wife. When he pulled a cell phone out of his pocket I almost lost it.
Just a couple shots from the Fia Fia show. This family was unbelievably talented; every single person had a role in the show, and they all killed it.
Beer delivery days were a highlight for most of the vacationers.
Well, after 9 amazing nights at Tanu Beach, it was time to leave.
We had one more night at an amazing resort, Aggies Grey. It was time for my real adventure to begin...life as a lone traveller had begun.
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