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Samoa 2003 last page |
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This
is the little mountain (approx. 100m), which is in the middle of the
island. On the slopes you'll find Coconut plantations, Taro plants and
Cocoa trees. On the summit there is a twelve-pointed star mount (17mx17m,
approx.1,5m high)
made from black lava rocks.
That place is densely
overgrown and no one uses this structure any more, in fact no one really
knew why and when it was erected.
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Of
course this particular place caught my attention and I spent quite a
bit of time up there. As a friend
of Spirals, I immediately noticed that the big tree in the centre
of the star mount twists nicely in a clockwise direction.
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There
was also a giant bees nest in the tree. It was hard to take a picture
of the platform , because I could not get the right distance in the
overgrown territory.
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This
was my accommodation at Vaotu'ua beach. This Fale is unusually situated
above the water. At night I heard the waves splashing directly under
my mattress. The waves however are never big, because the entire island
is surrounded by a coral reef. The place is ideal for snorkeling directly
off the doorstep (if there was one!).
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My
fale seen from the other side. As unusual as the "overseas"
structure is the usage of plastic canvas as walls. Well, I suppose,
the palagis should feel really at home...
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These
two weavers sold me some mats to take home. One for sitting and resting
and the other one for special occasions. The special one is called i
e Toga and also provides the background pattern for the webpages.
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The
departure from Manono was quite difficult. You may think it was hard
for me to leave, because it was such a relaxing atmosphere! But no,
the last hours of my stay were very stressful. The boat Mafia had decided
to grant the palagi's transfer back to the mainland only after paying
a special fare or perhaps not go at all. Unfortunately I had mentioned
that my plane leaves that very night... After some uncertain waiting
hours (2-3 hours) and some help from a very friendly local, I managed
to get across and reach my flight on time.
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In
the airport's waiting hall there was the first opportunity to test my
new mat. The last thunderstorm shook the air, the last sunset bathed
the evening sky in dramatic colours and at 2 AM in the morning the plane
took off to Auckland. The beginning day however didn't last very long,
as 3 hours later in Auckland it was already a day later.
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Well
this was Samoa. I hope you enjoyed the trip. See you again. All the
best from Micha
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