Pago Pago is named American Somoa, it is reasonably developed, McDonald's and KFC but no Macy's. The people were friendly but we noticed that they weren't quite as handsome as those in Apia and they were all certainly a lot chubbier! It was very hot and humid and our trip took us around the island to the viewing points and then to a high chief's reception where local folklore singing and dancing was performed. Stuart tried the cava cava, which he described as ...

We woke up to the wonderful polynesian Samoa folklore music, right in front of our balcony, the Samoans are so proud of their island and we were welcomed like kings and "Queens", it being the first time that Queen Elizabeth has arrived in port. Having experienced the humidity in Samoa, we'll never complain about it in Florida again! The morning started off rainy and cool but as soon as that passed the humidity hit the roof. Our port call was in Apia,...

At 11.47 am on 8th February, we crossed the equator into the southern hemisphere, moving from Winter to Summer. It was Queen Elizabeth's first time to cross the equator and had to follow the folly of King Neptune in order to permit safe crossing, this involved the "pollywogs", the folks that have never crossed before, being presented in sacrifice to King Neptune! The historical tradition dates back to the 14th century when it was decided that the wo...