Day at the beach in Larsens Bay

For those who plan to come out for a visit, American Samoa is not exactly a major tourist destination. Tourism is not heavily promoted here. If you want elaborate tourist resorts with stretches of long white sandy beaches then you will have to also plan visits to Western Samoa, Fiji or Tonga. But, as you have seen, AS does possess some beautiful, dramatic scenery, and hidden little beaches like this one in Larsens Bay. We spent an afternoon at this beach a couple of weekends ago. Check it out...

After a nice hike through lush tropical vegetation you emerge to find this beautiful/secluded little beach.

Native wildlife

More scenery courtesy of Nick - need to give him proper credit:

Me and the ladies getting wet

We spent the day at this beach with our neighbors Betty and David and their three sons - Toa, Tupu, and Clarence - the "boys" as Frankie and Juliana call them . Betty works with Cheryl at the library and David is the director of the Historical Preservation Office in American Samoa.

Betty holding Juliana. Toa, Clarence and Frankie on the rock.

Tupu otherwise known as 'dudeman'. He likes to say dude

After a nice, long day at the beach we had to hike back

Of course I had to carry princess Juliana most of the way - her legs "hurt"

Toa and Frankie waiting for the old folks

Walking back through the forest.

Julibear crashed out shortly after putting her on my shoulders for the walk back. A good day...

First day of school

Frankie and Juliana are attending a private school called Pacific Horizons. They have to wear uniforms on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. A couple of shots of their first day of school and few other shots of the girls that I liked....

Cannons and Shipwrecks

The Japanese never invaded American Samoa although it was on their list. Remnants of World War II defenses are scattered around the island:

Good view of Pago Pago harbor from the cannon site:

Nick and I stopped to explore a shipwreck on the east end of the island: