February 25, 2010 - Tutuila

I always receive ads from the New York Times promoting “Great Getaways” and it seems to be focused on the Caribbean when they direct their attention towards tropical islands. Once in a great while you will see something for Tahiti. However, French Polynesia is very expensive and with the dollar being “toy money” in today’s international arena, Americans cannot buy like they used to when going overseas. The area where we sailed around would be fitting for those NY Times ads.

West Side of Tutuila, American Samoa

The beaches were immaculate with no one sunning themselves or searching for space unlike Oahu in Hawaii. You see a car or two driving to the small village of Au’asi and the small ferry carrying passengers to the island of Aunu’u. I drove to this part of Tutuila years ago when I first met “L” on the last day I was here after bringing a decommissioned NOAA Ship Townsend Cromwell to Pago Pago. “L” would sit on the rocks at a beach watching the dolphins jump out of the water in the distance while I was gazing at her. To my regret I did not take a photo of her that day and now wished I had since it would be a picture of us from the very first time we met. When I saw the small village on shore, I reminiscent a bit of what we did that day over seven years ago. Then like a rock flogging me on the side of the head, it was time to get back to work!

Small village with "flower pot" in the middle

We have been at sea for over a week but within sight of land. My blog described what I saw the past eight days. When taking over from a rotation it takes me about a week to re-organize things the way I feel comfortable to work in. In addition to picking up what the previous tech left behind. I do not want to bore you with mundane details on what I did. I usually leave that for the reports I do on Sundays to send back to Seattle for their inboxes on Mondays and to keep up my homemade database.

Day is Done, HI-1 Dive Boat in Davit

After work I talk to “L” and told her two months from today, I will be docking in Honolulu, getting ready to turn the ship over and go home. In the mean time we are to be in Pago Pago on Monday for diver’s break. However, for me I am looking at possibly a twelve or more hour day. I have a dive boat to rewire as well as secure my cell phone antenna so it will not blow away during strong winds. I was surprised to see it still on the main mast since this ship went through a tropical cyclone nearly two weeks ago. The mount has corroded and is soft. The antenna is leaning a bit and it will be a matter of time. I like being and keeping busy.

HI-2 Dive Boat in Davit at the End of the Day

I hope you are stopping by and reading the blog put together by scientists on the ship as well as their and the ship’s blog on Facebook. I have some e-mail to send out tonight with hopes of receiving answers in the morning or by Monday at least.

Manuia-po from Tutuila Island, American Samoa.