Samoa Christmas 2010

I took the girls on another trip to Samoa for Christmas. We returned on Christmas Day so the girls could open presents. Thanks to all of you who sent gifts - the girls had lots of presents to open!

On the plane. Had the plane all to ourselves on the way back on Christmas Day

Seawall in Apia, Samoa

Swimming in the hotel pool. The girls would have been content doing this the whole trip.

Lots of pretty waterfalls to see in Samoa

Green

Went back to sliding rock, this time Frankie went down the smaller slide.

Snorkeling at Palolo Deep. This time Frankie went out with me.

On Christmas eve I took Harriet and the girls out for a nice dinner:

The ladies all dressed up

Lovin the prices

Back in American Samoa on Christmas Day. Lost control of the girls so I am not sure who sent what - thanks for whatever you sent!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Frankie Conquers Mt. Alava

Frankie, recently hiked to top of Mt. Alava. She worked hard to get to the top. Congragulations Frankie! I ended up carrying her some of the way down because her shoes were hurting her feet. Didn't take Julibear because last time she only made it about 10 minutes up the trail before she wanted to go back - she was in riding on my back.

Final steps to the top

top of the world. Must have heard " are we almost there yet" a

thousand times on the way up, but I managed to keep my sanity.

Took a much earned break at the Fale on top and had some lunch

Hurtin on the way down

Other pics of girls

Juliana and Harriet

Exercising w/ the kids

my exercise buddy

beached mermaid

Expedition to Rose Atoll

Recently went to Rose Atoll to do some field work. Rose Atoll is the tip of an old volcano that barely pokes above the surrounding ocean, and consists of a couple of small islands, a central lagoon and fringing coral reef. It took about 15 hours over rough seas to get there, but the trip was worth it. Rose Atoll is now a US marine national monument currently managed by the USFWS. The area provides an important refuge for nesting seabirds and marine life. Photos...

Rose Atoll and surrounding bathymetry

The mother ship - the M.V. Sili

Leaving Tutuila

Rough seas... even some of the sea hardy fishery and marine

biologists were chucking. I didn't chuck this time thanks to

Dramamine and crackers - thanks Terry.

Land Ho

Getting the alia (local fishing boat) ready for

transport to the island

First crew sets out for the island

setting up camp

Rose critters...

Hermit crab gathering

moray

black tip shark

The surrounding reef pavement is encrusted with a pink coralline

algae that gives the reef a pinkish color

lots of clams

Seabirds galore noodies, terns, frigate birds, boobies

working in the forest

Some members of expedition crew...

Smooth ride home