I'm here! Flew in late last night/early this morning, and the first thing I thought was how hot and sticky it was at 1am in the morning! The airport was tiny but lovely, lots of plants and trees and flowers around the little building that you walk into from the tarmac. Was only 10mins to the airport lodge place, which was nice and simple - just a little bungalow with two beds and a bathroom. Was sorta thinging it would have been a better idea to pay the extra 30 tala and get a room with a/c, but the fan was ok!!
Had someone pick me up at 11am so I could catch the 12pm ferry. Wasn't quite sure what to do or where I was going, but I just went with the pack and ended up in the right spot! Not many white people though! When I got off the ferry there were loads of guys asking if I needed a taxi, but I was determined to try and catch a bus. A bus. A bus that reminds me much of the transport in Kenya. A colourfully painted old-style bus with modern-day stereo system blasting Samoan music. Managed to get a very hot, squished seat up front, and after driving for an hour (at times right near the water, at other times seemingly heading into tiny villages in rainforest/jungle) I thought I'd better ask the driver if we were near Manase, and we were!
This place is incredible. It's so quiet, and this is one of the "main" beaches! Just off the road, there are all these little "fale", the huts, which they set up with a mozzie net and a mattress for you. And they are RIGHT ON the beach. Literally. Which is gorgeous.
Anyway I will try write again tomorrow and actually explain how unreal this place is, but the internet place here is about to close. Haven't got much planned for tomorrow except to laze around the beach, listen to some music and read a book.
Love Trude xoxox
