Stories From Month 2

We met a British couple named Pauline and Mike who were spending a few years biking from Canada to South America and on to Australia and Asia. Sharing costs, we collectively arranged a boat trip to Do

We left Bocas del Toro to spend our last weekend in the Republic of Panama relaxing in Gordon & Antonio's Playa Blanca beach house and admiring at the strange vegetation in their backyard.

Seven days ago we touched down in Hawaii and started a whirlwind of family events centered around the wedding of Michelle's cousin Phillip. Like many of Michelle's relatives, Phillip and his family l

Today is our last day in Hawaii. In fact, we leave in a couple hours for Independent Samoa. It has been an exciting two weeks of family, food, and beautiful scenery. Tim and I have enjoye

"Need sleep" I think, stumbling through Samoan customs at 7 a.m. The night flight was not kind to me; I fought hard to fall asleep and lost. But outside the airport, the bright light of mo

The Samoan Outrigger Hotel is an enjoyable place, by backpacker travel standards. The large white house was voted one of the best budget hotels in the South Pacific - but that was a few years ago. The

Tonight we attended what I must call the "Best Drag Show in the South Pacific." Cindy's Caberet is the last thing I ex

Brillant turquoise water lay before me as white spray splashed my face. Tim and I had been graciously invited by the owner of the hotel we were staying at to spend Sunday afternoon on his catamaran. <

We've had the opportunity to listen to music all over Samoa. Tonight at Si 'ufaga, a few men were playing at the restaurant. Lolani Solitua, Isaia Akoa, and Liae Talamaifuga were nice enough to let me

The last five days have been rejuvinating. Our cabin by the water at Si'ufaga Beach sports a small kitchen, so I've been experimenting with coconut rice, fresh bananas, Samoan cocoa, and canned food.

It is fiafia night at Tanu's Beach Fales where the whole family comes out to dance and sing. Listen to them sing in the Sounds page under Samoa. <

From the north side of the island, south of the equator, we can see both sunrise and sunset from our little beach fale.