When machetes attack

Last weekend, a group of us decided to hike Mount Matafao (below). Prior attempts have been derailed for numerous reasons. Our trip got derailed in the first 15 minutes when I tripped, fell, and ran my hand along a 2 foot machete. [Warning: not-so-graphic photos follow.]














This precipitated a quick trip to Lyndon Baines Johnson Tropical Medical Center.














Fortunately, I happened to have a bandana in my backpack (thank you Alisal Golf Resort) and was able to keep things together as we hiked the short distance back down the mountain and drove to the hospital.


















Sitting outside in the waiting area I tried to warn other children to be careful lest they also fall on over-sized bush clearing equipment. Here's one child throwing caution to the wind.














LBJ did a great job and I was out in no time with a mere 7 stitches in my hand. Here are two of the guys who helped sew me up.














To celebrate the retention of my thumb, I treated myself to a delicious BigMac meal.














Daley and bandaged hand in repose.


















The not-so-gory aftermath all sewn up. My love line, unfortunately, has been decimated.














All in all not too bad. One look at the machete and it's clear that it could have been much worse.

Leaving the island (not me)

Pillars of the palagi community, Aaron and Naomi, left the island this week. People come and go somewhat frequently but this couple has been here for two years so we had a number of festivities to mark the departure. Above, Aaron and me on his last night.

Me, Naomi, and Chase on a mat.














Over the weekend, we celebrated with a day of palagi drinking olympics. The day began with sloshball. Below, the view from the outfield.















Kara, up to bat.














Doug, manning the infield


















The spectators














Snowy!














After sloshball, we did some relay races and moved on to the flip-cup table














Even some youth joined in on the games. Here is one crashing after a day of pounding Sunny-D and purple stuff.


















The sun setting over Nunu and Lions Park. A good day.

Western Samoa

Last weekend, Chase and I spent a few days in Western (Independent) Samoa. The island, despite being a short 30 minute flight away, is really a different world. Good restaurants, good bars, great beaches, and interesting natural areas.

The ocean trench -- forty feet deep cavern where the ocean tide creates a shallow pool.


















Floatin'














The descent into the trench














Most of the weekend consisted of chilling on the beach at Litia Sini hotel in Lalomanu.





























Artsy beach shot














Black sand beach





























Western Samoa has maintained a lot of rural areas, below: Rooster 'n Pig














Sliding Rock: series of waterfalls suitable for, predictably, sliding

American Samoa Boxing Association

We attended our first boxing match held by the American Samoa Boxing Association. Held on Saturdays, the bouts start with 6-year olds and then move up to kids in their late teens. The youth of the some of the pugilists was surprising but they were into it and the event was well-attended by family and friends. What follows are my attempts at sports photography.

One of the 7-year old bouts














One tired kid














This little guy provided the most exciting bout of the day, see his video below, taking on another much larger kid, he controlled the match from the start. Here he is with his cornerman.














Catching his breath














Eventually, we saw older boxers that, although not as entertaining as the little kids, were pretty impressive.





























This boxer, we learned, has been in a number of international competitions and was really sharp. Here he is waiting for his opponent to get up.














Fuzzy action shot


















A ref

Clash of the mini-titans

Here are 3 rounds from the bout of the century, well, two 8-year olds boxing each other at an American Samoa Boxing Association match. The little guy in red was pretty tenacious and wound up winning the match. His fury is matched only by the crowd's great reaction.

If you go to YouTube you can view the match in higher quality by clicking the "watch in higher quality" button under the film.