10 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

I thought this church with the crepuscular rays were particularly pretty. Sadly, the photo does not do it justice.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-28.html

10 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

Pretty blue water with the dramatic mountains around the harbour, including Rainmaker Mountain.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-28.html

10 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

View of the coastline of the harbour opposite the dramatic mountains.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-28.html

10 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

The random people were celebrating a high school graduation and gave me a strong mixed drink! Score!

American Samoans are visibly richer than Samoans. Apparently most are quite happy with their situation. The Americans provide economic support as it is part of their territory, and although they don't have full representation and are not considered citizens, they are generally left alone to their own devices.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-28.html

10 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

Once again, I'm stopped in my tracks and asked to take a photo of some random people.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-28.html

10 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

View of the harbour inlet, beyond which in the open ocean. The dramatic harbour cuts into the middle of the small island, stopping only a kilometre or two from the other side.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-28.html

10 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

American Samoa had the same bus system, at incredible low prices, and equally loud music. Here, they are known as aiga (family) buses.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-28.html

10 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

The fale fono, the government building of American Samoa. Unlike Samoa, where the head of state still carries the tribal title of O le Ao o le Malo, and is ranked above the Prime Minister, the head of state here is the American President, and governed by a Governor (Togiola Talalelei A. Tulafono at the time of my visit). If you are curious, the O le Ao o le Malo of Samoa at the time of my visit is Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Ta'isi Tufuga Tupuola Efi, and the Prime Minister is Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi. Don't forget to pronounce "g" as "ng." Man, those Samoan names are a mouthful.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-28.html

11 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

View up the harbour. I really love the the steep green walls rising dramatically up along the water.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-28.html

10 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

Classic view of Pago Pago Harbor, with Rainmaker Mountain jutting up the middle. Sadly, these beautiful waters are now quite polluted, as much debris, fuel, and other chemicals were swept into the harbour by the devastating 2009 earthquake and tsunami.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-28.html