Tag Archives: American Samoa

Pago Pago Harbor

Despite the warm waters that forced the Crown Princess to slow on the journey from Hawai’i to Samoa, we had no problem making the 78 miles/125 kilometers (as the flying fox flies) from Apia, Samoa to neighboring Pago Pago, American Samoa.  Of course, this short trip also required us to travel back into time, as we once again crossed the International Date Line separating the two island groups.

Crown Princess docked at Fagatogo — port area for Pago Pago

Ursula, Al and Lisa Fittipaldi, and I stepped off the ship in Fagatogo, which is just a short walk to the territorial capital of American Samoa, Pago Pago.  You may recall that Ursula and I visited here before, way back in late April, 2014.  As I’ve covered this destination in depth already, this segment of our trip will be short on text and long on photographs.  For additional information on American Samoa, visit these links from my previous articles:

• American Samoa — Fagatogo and Pago Pago
• American Samoa — Panoramic Views
• Fun Photo Friday — Fagatogo Fun
• Heading into Pago Pago
• Going Batty for the National Park of American Samoa
• Fun Photo Friday — A Last Look at American Samoa

Our first order of business was to stroll over to Pago Pago so that Al and Lisa could get the National Parks Passport stamped with what is the farthest west U.S. National Park, the National Park of American Samoa.  After all, this opportunity does not present itself every day.  If you’re going to start registering all your National Park visits with your own passport then don’t miss this opportunity.  The park headquarters are physically located in Pago Pago rather than at the actual park.

While you’re making that stroll, make sure you take time to photograph the colorful aiga buses:

Aiga bus in full color

After obtaining passport stamps we flagged down several taxis before finding a driver who wasn’t going to charge us an arm and a leg to get around the island.  Fortunately we found one who was informative, friendly, and fun, and he was originally from that other Samoa.

Our taxi driver and guide

Sights along the way included the Starkist tuna cannery:

Starkist cannery

It was here that I got a very famous television personality to pose for me:

Charlie posing for his portrait

And then it was up, into the tropical rainforest and a date with some flying foxes:

American Samoa