Clairy took some nice shots of the rugged tropical landscape.
And managed to get a decent if slightly wonky shot of her favourite tree that we kept encountering.
Dotted all along the beautiful white sands of the south coast road were lovely little open sided fale. Ideal for chilling out between swims in the baking temperatures.
After we passed the pleasant looking Litia Sini's Beach Resort recommended to us by Tim (our fellow beach bum from Ouvea, New Caledonia), we realised we should probably fill up the car while we had the chance at the petrol station at the next village.
I was pleased to find we were greeted by a whole host of piggies of different sizes. These two small ones were absolutely knackered from doing very little in the mid day heat.
The smaller of the two promptly crashed out in the dust.
Mmmm...Looks really coomfy.
Back at Litia Sini's they had put our little fale together and it looked very cute. Here's the lady getting her swimming stuff out.
And only slightly facially obscured by a coconut palm. It was so sunny I couldn't see the screen very well. Sorry love!
The beach was totally gorgeous and for once was deep enough for a decent swim and was reputed to have some pretty damn good snorkelling. We therefore quickly hired some gear and jumped straight in.
There was a lot of really healthy coral and some beautiful fish.
Glassy reflections.
Tiny blue ones.
It was just about deep enough for me to do some diving down.
There were also some really odd little ones that we had not seen before.
Nice big fan coral.
Clairy was disturbed by the few legs on this 'stuffed tights' starfish. She assured me it had survived a nasty accident.
More fan coral.
And more still.
I pointed out these most strange little fishies to Clairy and she spent a good 5 minutes trying to get a decent shot. They really were odd with snouty little noses and small stubby tails.
They always seemed to hang around in pairs.
Although there are four of them in this shot.
Sand dollars.
A piccy from the water of the island Nu'utele.
The birth of a mullet.
No comment needed
Salty beasts.
Back with the snorkelling we saw some mahoosive schools of fish.
Run away!
This little fella had a beautifully coloured head, but wouldn't stay still enough for me to get a decent piccy.
The large one here spends all his time sifting the sand with his mouth.
Pretty blue one.
A variety of tropical beauties.
I really like the go faster stripes on this one.
Pegging it away from me again.
Quality front fin work from this blue lovely.
The moment Clair told me it was a tropical fruit breakfast and that eggs were unlikely.
Gorgeous beach...handy live-electric-cable washing line too.
Unfortunately, as the day wore on poor Clairy started to feel really poorly. We weren't sure what could have caused it but by the evening she felt terrible and I took her out in the car to cool her down with the air con. She quickly fell asleep next to me and I drove on through the various nearby villages.
It was just after 5 and this seemed to be the time when all the local young people had finished their work for the day, and collected on the common land to either play touch rugby, volleyball or just to sit around and chat. Everyone was keen to see who was in the car, and (since the start of our Samoan experience) I had felt a need to wave to anyone staring at us (as they do quite unselfconsciously), and normally the stare would turn into a big smile and a returning wave. There were so many people out and about though, I barely had enough hands to keep one on the steering wheel. Also, at some point I had to turn around and head back to our resort. The locals seemed to find this exceptionally funny as I cruised slowly back waving at them all for a second time.
I went and had dinner on my own as the poor Clairy stayed in the car. She ended up sleeping in the car as she felt more comfortable there with a dodgy tummy than in our rather boiling fale. Early in the morning she came and woke me and said she was feeling a lot better.
The beach looked even more gorgeous with the sunrise.
Although I think a bed-headed chubster may spoil the view somewhat.
This pic of the side of our fale has a definite British beach hut feel to it. Apart from the leafy thatch and sunshine of course.
'Just locking up love.'
It was such a beautiful light. It made me think maybe I really do like mornings once I've got passed the getting out of bed bit.
What very long legs we have.
'No Wij, there can never be enough shadow pictures.'
The beautiful beach fales.
But our one was the nicest.
Hermit crab motocross madness.
The hill in the distance looked stunning. Topped by a long row of coconut palms.
I'm not actually naked in this picture. Clairy took ages arranging it just right though to make me look like I am, although I didn't realise that was what she was doing at the time. I do particularly like how I have somehow developed a temporary vague six-pack however.
Still looking gorgeous even after a horrific night.
We soon packed up as we had to get the car back to Apia and the car rental agency by 9:30. Unfortunately this meant that we would have to leave before the buffet breakfast was served (turned out she was lying about it being tropical fruit only). The owner said the kitchen would provide us with a bit of toast instead, but then to my amazement they brought us out our very own servings of eggs, pancakes, toast and tropical fruit. What a joyous morning it turned out to be!
The drive back to Apia was suitably stunning. We both loved these crazy free standing yet apparently gravity defying coconut pile-ups that were arranged along the roadside.
More piggies! Excuse the massive testies and appreciate the tiny cuties.
The landscape was suitably epic.
We think the dead trees here are something to do with a dam project.
This is the Le Mafa Pass looking all the way down to the coast. Just stunning.
And looking back up Mount Fino.
By this point we were a little bit late, but the piccy opportunities were too good to miss.
'See ya'. Me in my Hyundai Getz. It started making slightly strange noises shortly after this. Possibly as a result of me thrashing it a bit to get us back on time.
Later that day whilst wandering around Apia, we passed this little chap, who was obviously not too pleased about us walking on this particular piece of pavement. He jumped around and shouted at us excitedly.
So we left him alone.
