Journals from the week ending November 8, 1996
Wonderful Western Samoa
by Corrina Wong
11/8/96, aboard ship...Western Samoa has been one of my favorite ports on my journey so far. I can actually say I have been to a tropical paradise. What struck me the most about Western Samoa is how beautiful the island really is. For one of our land excursions, we stayed in huts on a white sandy beach. In the background there was a beautiful island which was surrounded by a coral reef. The water was turquoise blue and very inviting. As soon as we stepped on the beach everyone was amazed by its beauty. We quickly got dressed and put on our snorkel gear. Throughout the day we snorkeled and relaxed.
The people of Western Samoa were very friendly and kind. At a hotel named Aggie's Hotel, we had a wonderful dinner and enjoyed talking to the workers. The people were very interested in our ship and where we came from. Overall, Western Samoa was a great experience that I will never forget. The island itself radiated with beauty. It has left such a wonderful picture in my mind that I will surely not forget. As for the people, they touched my heart.
The Samoan Islands
by Nicolas Paradis
11/1/96, aboard ship...We arrived in Western Samoa on the 28th of October, after a quick detour to American Samoa. We had been told that Western Samoa was cleaner, livelier, more interesting, more authentic, than American Samoa. Personally, I was only looking forward to touching land again.
From the afternoon spent on American Samoa, I found the islanders had lost their old traditions. America Somoa was very Americanized.. But on Western Samoa, traditions seemed to be strongly intergrated within the education system. They were part of the society, a knowledge the youths still accept from their parents, teachers and grandparents. As I see it, a culture that passes customs on to their young people, with their willingness and cooperation, allows these customs to survive. If this generation accepted the system, why should it be different with the next one?
I can't say that there is no Americanization of Western Samoa; they have some technology as American Samoa does. They have a theater playing American films, shopping centers, and even a McDonald's. In spite of all that, they have kept their tradition. I saw Samoan students eating burgers at McDonald's and then later that day they danced for the crew of the Concordia. They presented a traditional welcoming ceremony which included dances and singing. It was an incredible presentation and we learned much about their culture in the past. We also learned about what their lives are like living on this beautiful island.
Ocean Challenge / e-mail: ocean@oceanchallenge.com / Class Afloat '96-'97
(c) Copyright 1996, Ocean Challenge