Aunu'u Island

Awhile back I took a trip w/ the wildlife crew to Aunuu - a small, peaceful island off the southeastern tip of Tutuila. A short boat ride on a small catamaran fishing boat gets you to the island. A nice place to spend the day. Hope to take the girls here one weekend when the ocean is calm. Some of the scenery at Aunuu....

On the boat looking towards Aunuu

Arriving at the little harbor in Aunuu

Aunuu harbor has nice turquoise blue water.

The snorkeling is supposed to be good right outside of the harbor

From Aunuu harbor looking back toward Tutuila

Another shot of Aunuu harbor

Church on Aunuu island

One of the beaches on Aunuu

Aunuu has nice trails that circle the craters on the island.

One of the trails that goes around the island

Some of the local kids

Some shots of the northern eastern coast of island.....

"teacup" rock formation at Ma'ama'a cove

Pala quicksand lake

Girls in action

I know that F-bear and J-bear's multiple sets of Grandparents want to see photos of the girls ...

I bought a slip-n-slide for the girls. Had to demonstrate how it works - more painful than I remember

Frankie in action

J-bear in action

They played on this all day - waiting for the water bill.

Frankie with Pretty our new dog. We had to send Coco to a "better place" because she tried to bite a couple of children. Pretty is a much better fit for the family and a good snorkeling partner as well.

Juliana and Pretty

Cheryl threw a birthday party for Malea with a Halloween theme.

Girls during the tattoo festival at Tisa's

Frankie showing her school work during parent/teacher conference

Frankie at her desk

Juliana showing her schoolwork.

Getting ready for school

Lisa and Juliana sharing a snack

Missing tooth - the tooth fairy forgot to visit her?

The girls with their nanny, Harriet. They call her ate (pronounced atay) which means big sister in the Filipino language

Ladies at the Beach

Some shots of the girls at the beach .....

Tisa's barefoot bar

at fatu ma futi

Sunset on the beach at Amanave village

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...