Information and Beauty

Tourism

Information and comments on tourism in American Samoa

The Magnificent Fautasi

Posted Fri, 08/14/2009 - 18:12 by John


The Fautasi was once the main form of transportation along the coast of the islands.  There were no roads and mountains separated villages.  Villagers loaded into the fautasi and rowed their way along the coast to market.  There was a time when you could see many of these fautasi anchored in Pago Pago harbor when the villagers were in town doing their shopping and taking their produce to market.  Now these boats are built for racing and the sport is an important part of the Samoan Culture. 

10th Festival of Pacific Arts Souvenir Program

Posted Mon, 08/10/2009 - 11:20 by John

Download the entire book but be forewarned that this is a 23MB file.

A labor of love under the most stressful conditions with an impossible deadline.  Just three weeks before the event, the organizing committee decided they needed me to do the souvenir program.  I respectfully declined at first but they talked me into it.  A few days after I started the project, I turned in my formal resignation stating the simple fact that we do not have time to produce this thing by committee.  If they want it done, they will just have to leave it to me.  That worked and off I went.

My first step was to recruit the wonderful, hard working, Reg Meredith.  Reg was so overworked with other tasks that I think she kinda hated me for getting her involved with this seemingly hopeless deadline. 

Utulei and Maugaoali'i

Posted Sun, 07/26/2009 - 12:03 by John

This slideshow has a long download time but I think you will find the wait worthwhile.  See the full story for some great pictures. 

These pictures were taken along Utulei coast and from the top of Maugaoali'i (Mountain of Chiefs).  Utulei is the center of Government and Maugaoali'i is one of the most beautiful spots on the island.  From Maugaoali'i you can enjoy beautiful panoramas of Pago Pago Harbor, Rainmaker Mountain and Utulei Beach.  Unfortunately, much of the view is now hidden behind bush that has not been cut for many years.  I managed to push through and got some good shots of Rainmaker and Utulei but there was no way to see the harbor area. 

 

The Blunts Point Guns

Posted Sun, 07/19/2009 - 17:34 by John

Go to the full story to have fun with these pictures taken at the Blunts Point guns.  You need to experiment with the pictures a little to get the full benefit.  Try placing your cursor just below the pictures and you will reveal a control bar.  Move the bar back and forth to see the effects.  Each picture has a caption and a description which are revealed by placing your cursor on or near the picture.  Let me know how you like this new toy.