
...
that is what we are ... American Samoa is actually seven islands, I live on the big island of Tutuila and have visited only one other island,
Ofu, during Thanksgiving. This weekend a group of us traveled the short distance to
Aunu'u. It's visible from Tutuila (below) and can be reached by a 20 minute boat ride.

The first stop on our hike was quicksand lake. Below the shallow surface of the water is gen-u-ine quicksand. Prior to this weekend I didn't really believe in quicksand and thought it only existed in
Atari games and
movies. Here is Vojik contemplating the murky morass.

Testing out the quicksand, yes, you do sink

The best part of the hike were the tide pools

The waves made this side of the pools not safe for swimming.

Nature's jacuzzi, which provided a nice break after a few hours of hiking.

The group enjoying the view

Pieces of a shipwreck still sitting on the beach

After the hike we visited a shop in town for some cool drinks and were visited by some island children...

and their siblings.

The postcard-ready Aunu'u dock, where we waited for our ride home.

Motoring back to Tutuila, meditating on the
complicated melancholy relationship of the American Samoa islands.