Christmas Island (PLCH) - Pago Pago American Samoa (NSTU) 1,263 nm 8.1 hours
Friday morning I departed Christmas Island for the last really long over water flight of the trip. Crossing the international date line once again I arrived in Pago Pago late Thursday afternoon.
Pago Pago is a bit of a different place, being a territory of the USA. I believe it is a major navel base however the real reason for the presence of the mighty US of A is to protect the home of Charlie the Tuna. Thats right! Charlie lives in Pago Pago? After all those years of wondering, the mystery is finally solved.
The Starkist operation at Pago Pago is the largest tuna processing plant in the world at 600 tonnes per day of tuna shoved into little metal cans for distribution around the world. That would account for the not so tropical aroma lingering in the air - they call those bad tuna days in downtown Pago Pago.
Pago Pago is a mixture of Samoan and American influences even with its very own McDonalds. Isn't that wonderful, you can sit at Mickey D's enjoying your Big Mac with the lovely essence of tuna drifting in over the bay.
But just in case you're ready to cross Pago Pago off the list of future vacation hot spots it does have a few redeeming features. The landscape is really nothing short of spectacular. Being an ancient volcanic crater the mountains rise almost directly out of the sea. When you think tropical island, this is it, where the sea meets dense rainforest teaming with tropical fruits and flowers.
I didn't do too much but did go for a great hike into the national park in the mountains around the harbour. I ran into a very modern local chief who shared a little of his local knowledge and a few very welcome ice cold beers.
Samoan people are a very friendly lot. Everyone I talked to said I should get over to Samoa proper, about 80 nautical miles to the north. That is where the American Samoan people say they go for vacation. So although it wasn't in the original plan I am going to divert to the islands of Samoa for a taste of Samoa without the American influence.
Here are a few shots:
1) the town monument to Charlie
2)a shot of the spectacular coast of Tutuila (island where Pago Pago is)
3) One of the wild flowers growing in the mountains, the Faua Povi plant in Samoan. I understand that you can make some great hair gel from this plant - Thats all very nice, but can you smoke it?
4) Charlie wants you - good to see that there is some hope for becoming gainfully employed post Deutsche Bank.
JB
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