Pago Pago, American Samoa - September 2013

The name Pago Pago, like Bora Bora conjures up an image in my mind of a palm filled Pacific paradise, and you'd never guess but the reality is not far off. While not quite as drop dead stunning as Bora Bora it was still everything you'd expect of a tropical paradise. We were there on a cruise in 2013 and spent an enjoyable day driving around the island checking it out. First up though we had to get to the rental car yard before the rest of the punters off the ship, Pago Pago isn't a huge city so there was only so many rental cars to go around. After successfully securing a RAV4 for the day we could relax and head off and explore.

The Sun Princess at port in Pago Pago Harbour.

First up we headed south west to Cape Taputapu, the road alternating between passing through idyllic villages with equally idyllic beaches or climbing steeply over rainforest clad ridges.  Once at the end of the road at Fagamalo we basically turned around and did it in reverse stopping at some of the stunning beaches we got back to Pago Pago just after lunch.

The road meandering towards Cape Taputapu.

It was a Sunday so Pago Pago was basically closed for the day so we then headed to the extreme eastern end the island of Tutuila. Making our way around Pago Pago Harbour we went passed the very popular Tisa's Barefoot Bar where it looked like most of the punters of the ship had got to. A bit further on the road passed a series of rock stacks, the crystal clear water completing the picture.

The coastal road runs along a series of beaches, climbing over headlands in between.

Each of the small villages featured  one of these community meeting places.

It didn't take long once we had left Pago Pago to lose all the people off the ship, they seemed to stay within a fifteen minute drive of the wharf. At Cape Matatula we were at the extreme eastern end of the island, from here the road rose steeply over another jungle clad ridge to the end of the road at Onenoa. From what I could see the village of Onenoa was more or less at sea level, the locals had built up a bit of a breakwater, come levy bank with some concrete, but every time there was a bit of a bigger wave the water surged onto the breakwater, which was also the road through the village, I reckon they'd take climate science a little more seriously over there than our current batch of flat earth politicians do here, losing your home to the ocean would do that I suppose!

You don't see these in Melbourne.

These rock stacks provided an excuse to stop for awhile.

Back tracking towards Pago Pago we then took the road up towards Rainmaker Mountain, the pass provided great views back to Pago Pago Harbour, our ship dominated the view of the harbour. Crossing the pass the road plummeted back down to sea level at Afono, from there we continued on to Vatia, the scenery on this side of the island was even more spectacular, one day I'll come back and explore a bit longer on foot. The road provided glimpses through the trees of turquoise water lapping into pristine bays lined with palm trees.

The view back down to Pago Pago Harbour from the Rainmaker Mountain Pass.

By now it was time to head back to Pago Pago with the car, we had a great day and got a good overview on what Pago Pago has to offer. Returning the car it was a five minute walk and we were back on board the ship. Once on board it was time for a quick change of clothes and then we headed to our usual spot on the ship to watch the scenery glide by as we sailed out of Pago Pago Harbour. A great day was topped of by a magnificent sunset as we sailed of towards our next port.

Rainmaker Mountain.

For these villagers sake I hope our flat earth politicians are right and climate change is just a big scientific conspiracy.

Our little RAV4.

The coast line on the north of the island in the National Park of American Samoa.

The Dirt.
We sailed with Princess Cruises, as usual they supplied a great value for money experience. American Samoa is a very religious country so if your there on a Sunday like we were don't expect much open. The island of Tutuila is small enough to be able to drive from end to end in a day, which is what we did, it gave us an opportunity to get a good overview of the place. Cruising may seem like a strange mix with my trekking and walking but I really enjoy kicking back every now and again, and it allows us to get a little taster for lots of places which we can then decide if we want to go back and spend more time at in the future.

The end of the road in the National Park of American Samoa.

Back in my usual cruising position.

The buildings are part of the local brewery.

Sailing away from the wharf, Pago Pago Harbour.

Leaving the island of Tutuila in American Samoa.

Another great Pacific sunset.