Samoa (cont.)

Friday before we came home was election day. Most businesses were closed to allow the public to get out and vote. We also used this day to drive to the other side of the island to see where the tsunami hit in September 2009. This is one of the lines people were waiting in to vote. There were houses like this all along the island set up as voting locations. EVERY location had a long line like this. We took Kuso's mom into town where we were told it was a less busy location. Well, we still waited close to an hour for her to get her turn to vote. Then we were on our way to the beach. It was kind of patriotic to see so many people interested in exercising their right to vote.Above and Below: Pictures of the thick greenery along the drive. I just love coastal shots like this that show the greenery with the ocean in the back.

This is the only picture I took of the tsunami aftermath. It didn't feel right to stop and take pictures of the destruction that was caused by the tsunami in September 2009. Driving along the road, it was apparent where the tsunami hit. There were sections where the waves clearly hit, washing away homes, cars, people, animals, and any form of plant life out into the ocean. Then there were sections that were not affected as the homes were still in tact and the scenery was plush and green. As we drove through the tsunami area, there was a somber feeling knowing that nearly 140 people lost their lives in that disaster.

It was also kind of refreshing to see that people had rebuilt new houses and continued on with their lives despite the devastation surrounding them.

Part of the tsunami grounds was Lalomanu beach. I also visited this beach during past visits. It has nice sand, and these little fales that you rent for $30 tala for the day. I especially was anxious to take pictures to see if/how the tsunami changed the view from the beach. In comparing the new to the old pictures, everything is practically the same. I'm not sure how hard this part of the beach was hit, but everything has been cleaned up nicely.Leila loves the beach. Not the sand, but just being outside in the warm, and she loves the water.Above:From the beach fale, looking down to the left.Above: From the middle of the beach, looking to the right with the ocean behind me, the row of fales. The nice ones to the right I think are for guests who stay there overnight. The other ones we used are just for day visitors. You can also see where they have planted new coconut trees.

Below: Same view, just more towards the water.

Below: From the beach, ocean to my back, looking to the left.The total trip around the island takes around 4 hours. Hard to really keep track of time, but the average speed is around 30 mph +/-. The speed limit is 30-35, but with the conditions of some of the roads, you usually go a little slower.Above: one of 4 or 5 baby pigs that follow mommy pig around. These babies will become dinner some day, but the mom is a pet. The funny thing is that all 5 babies look different. Different colors and patterns. They were pretty cute. This little guy just fell asleep on the grass in the open.

These are mini bananas. They taste pretty much like normal bananas. We tried to keep bananas around because Leila usually likes them. This is one of the first Samoan words that Leila uses. "Fa'i." Sometimes she points, says "nana (pause) fa'i." Kuso's family loved to hear her say Samoan words in the right context.

She also uses "uma" (finished, done) when her drink is gone or the food is gone. She says "aua" (stop it) when she is about to do something she is not supposed to, but then usually stops herself and just points at something she was going to touch.