Island Life - Hiking
After getting organized with my accommodations, I began to venture out to see what this island was all about. There is a US National Park Office on the island - actually just next door to Vaoto Lodge. Carlo and his family of four have been stationed there for four years. He was great at getting me orientated and providing me basic maps etc. It is a very small island so getting lost was not an issue. He told that some trails were overgrown and using a machete was advisable.
Hiking up Mt Tumu
The islands of Ofu & Olosega are actually the tops of two volcanos that appeared above the surface of the ocean - 1.3 million years ago. They are now considered in active. To get the best views of the Manu'a Islands you need to hike to the top of Mt. Tumu on Ofu. You start on a dirt road that eventually turns into a path through the rainforest. The last part has some ropes to help you pull yourself up over a steep section. The four hour hike isn't super demanding, but the heat & humidity are !!
I was drenched in sweat after only an hour of hiking. It was 32/90 degrees and about 85% humidity. I took water, but not enough. By the time I got back down I was shaking a bit from dehydration. That aside, the view was definitely worth the effort. This view put the reason for coming into perspective. Yes the beaches are beautiful but to see the islands as a whole - made me realize this is a South Pacific paradise.
I wanted to experience as many activities as I could, and fortunately I was able to do several. Not only was I able to hike, snorkel and walk some amazing beaches, I was able to join two Samoan traditional events - the Toona’i (traditional Sunday lunch) & a Fuaiala - an event where a group within the village meets at a guest house to dance and raise money for the families in the group.
I also got to go early in the morning with the National Park crew to join a Sea Turtle Patrol and check on know turtle nests and locate new ones - then I finished off the day with an attempt at nighttime spear fishing with some local guys. So much for everyone telling me to take lots of books.
There are two options for visitors to stay in Ofu. I am the solo person at Vaoto Lodge and the other one is closed right now. That means I am literally the only visitor. Basically there is no chance of me meeting someone else on the trails or walking any beach. Here is a picture of the first beach I snorkeled at. It was near the bridge that connects the two islands.
Here is a collage of my hike to Oge Beach. This hiking trail is located on Olosega the island connected to Ofu by a single lane bridge. Edward gave me a machete to help cut through the thick brush at the trails beginning. This beach is a coral rubble beach and has limited fine sand. It faces the island of Tau. Nice hiking along the coral.
Remember the Tom Hanks movie Cast Away. After a plane crash, he is stranded for four years on an island in the South Pacific (by himself). A volleyball washes on shore which he calls Wilson. The ball becomes his friend and the one he converses with daily. After four years being stranded, he is finally found. This ball had washed up on Oge Beach. No I have not starting talking to a ball yet….
Beachcombing.......
Posts from this trip.
