Mar 30 Crossing the Date Line

Mar 30  Crossing the Date Line

If you are following closely, you will note we have no record of March 29.  Overnight, we crossed the international date line.  Note how it scoots around groups of islands, but American Samoa and Independent Samoa, while only 137 miles apart, are on either side of the date line and so 24 hours apart.

Our new location is Apia on the independent island of Samoa, Upolu.  We took an island tour on a nice, small air-conditioned bus that was quite comfortable.  It was noted that they drive on the right.  The tour guide told us it is because most cars are imported from New Zealand or Australia, which also drive on the right.  Samoa gained independence from New Zealand in 1962.

Our first stop was Mulivai Catholic Cathedral.  It was built around 1800 but has a more modern design than European cathedrals, with clean yet very impressive lines.  The interior is just as impressive.

  

The next stop was the home of Robert Louis Stevenson, which is now a museum.  Stevenson moved to Samoa from Scotland towards the last seven years of his writing life to enjoy the climate.  He had the building constructed to his own specifications, including fireplaces that were never needed in this climate.  The house style looks quite similar to a plantation style to me and is very extensive, with tropical gardens.   Stevenson wrote 33 books, novels, essays, and travel books, the last seven in this home.  He died at 44 years old.

      

He wrote this poem to be placed at his burial site near his home.

In Samoa, they only bury the dead within the island, and there are no cremations.

The visit brought back memories of my fifth-grade English teacher, whom I feared for his strict manner.  To his credit, he ended each lesson with a few pages from the great book Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson.  He read each day with great theatrical expression, conveying the story with wonderful emotion.

The population of Samoa is 200k, most of whom live on the two main islands, Upolu and Savai'i.  During the 2009 Tsunami, many villagers died.

Our third stop was the Malifa cultural village demo.  We were again treated to local singing and dancing during a karva ceremony, followed by an impressive fire dance and the chance to eat some local fruits.  Just as it ended, another downpour descended.  Fortunately, we had been seated under a canvas cover.  We waited a little while, but it was clear it was going to rain for an extended period, so we popped up our brollies and ran back to our little bus.

   

Our final stop was a supermarket.  We arrived at a covered market that was massive and had clothing, local crafts, and jewelry, plus daily fruits and vegetables.

 

We returned to the ship and dashed up the gangplank to dry off in our stateroom.  A very enjoyable visit and we are starting to get used to the heavy showers this season is providing.

 

Apr 1

We arrived in Vava’u, one of 171 islands in the country of Tonga, but most of the 100,000 population live on three main islands.  The ship was anchored 15 minutes from shore, and we took the tender.  Again, dancers greeted us.  The drive on the left

 

Awaiting for us was a fleet of small busses, all taking the same tour, but the stops were all in a different order so they were not crowded.

1st stop a town square with locked gates containing a small obelisk to celebrate independence from Britan in 1917.

The 2nd stop was an overlook for a photo stop.  We had to climb 171 steep steps, some over 12” risers, to get to the platform, to the top of Mount Tatau, but the view was worth it.

 

The third stop was also a lookout photo stop at the other end of the island.  No steps this time but a wonderful view of the Ocean and bay.  By now, we were exhausted from the heat, but the locals provided a nice assortment of local fruits as a snack.

The third stop was a modest catholic church. 

 

The forth stop was a cave “Veimumuni Cave” full of freshwater from an unknown origin, full of mysterious folklore and history.  We had to go through some contortions to get into and out of the cave.

The last stop was a vanilla plantation where we could see vanilla growing.  It needs a host bush to support it and provide shade.  It must be hand pollinated and will only grow in a place with little wind and filtered sunlight.

 

All the buses finally returned to the ship's tender at about the same time, so we had to wait 30 minutes for our turn to return to the ship, hot and exhausted. We enjoyed the sail away into the sunset.  The ship had to weave its way around and between the island with no apparent pilot on board and no navigation buoys to guide us.

Apr 3 seaday

In the morning, we found out we have been approved for a four-day land tour safari with only limited spaces available once we arrive in Africa.  In the afternoon, all world cruisers were invited at short notice to a meeting with the ship's officers to explain the new itinerary and the options for guests who do not want to travel around Africa.  All complicated stuff, but it does not affect us as we are happy with the new itinerary.

 

Apr 3

We continue our tropical island hopping by visiting Fiji at the port of Suva on the island of Viti Levu, the largest and capital city of Fiji.  Today is Good Friday, so many of the shops and businesses are closed.  It is common for men to wear skirts.  Fiji was under British rule from 1874 to 1970 who developed the island and built the infrastructure.  They have been an independent nation since 1970 as a member of the British Commonwealth. The morning was a lovely sunny day with mostly clear skies for a change but our guide told us it is still the monsoon season.

We stopped at an overlook of the bay of Nosory.

There are 333 islands within Fiji, within Melanesia, with coral reefs; most are uninhabited.  From 1930 to 1960, leprosy was out of control, and 1/3 of the population died.  It is now leprosy-free.  30% of Fiji’s income comes from tourism.  Kava is a traditional Fijian drink made from the yaqona plant's roots, ground, mixed with water, and strained into a murky, earthy brew. It looks like muddy water, tastes kind of bitter and peppery—like dirt mixed with cough syrup—with a weird, slimy texture. But the real hook? It numbs your tongue and lips right away, like a mild anesthetic, then chills you out: relaxed body, clear head, no hangover. Folks say it’s like alcohol without the fuzziness—just calm vibes and good chat.

We stopped at the main gate of the State House, whose ceremonial guard wears the dress uniform.

  

The main island has a protected rainforest.  It is still considered a 3rd world country.  It is compared to the Big Island of Hawaii.  Fiji’s population is 950k with a minimum wage of $2.50 US.  The flight to New Zealand is 3 hours.

Our main stop was the Fiji Museum, which displays historical artifacts and stories about its customs. 

  

    

The usual rainstorm came through as we visited the museum and enjoyed the local island fruits.  The bus had to drive right up to the steps, so we did not get soaked.

On the way back to the ship, we stopped in the shopping district of Suva, dodging the heavy showers, then we needed to make a dash for the gangplank back at the ship. 

 

Apr 4 Seaday

Check back next Sunday