May 23 first time,  Apia Samoa

Two days at sea and we're back into the tropics.  Time to put away the sweatshirts and jackets and get out the ponchos since it's going to be hot and humid the rest of the way.  

On the way we had some great sunsets

 and a full moon

 Sailing into Apia Samoa, the cathedral built by the Germans, the Immaculate Conception of Mary

 Singers and dancers greeted the ship.  Very similar to New Zealand in sound and rythm.

 We opted for an excursion around the island with a beach stop.  Most Samoans live in family compounds, and each has a large meeting room.  We saw many of these in our trip, a large open building.

 Falefa Falls

 A non-native weed called "Mile a Minute" by the natives.  Looks like Kudzu to me.

 Sopoaga Falls, during a pouring rain.  We are in the tropics now.

 Demonstration of coconut harvesting.  The coconut is used as chicken feed, making for tasty chickens we were told.

 On our arrival at Tafatafa beach we got another song and dance number, all male this time.

 Papapapaitai Falls

 Robert Louis Stevenson home

 Interior of the Immaculate Conception cathedral

 Savalalo food market, still going strong at dusk