Apia, Samoa Temple - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

 Apia, Samoa Temple - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Church Buildings in Samoa

 A Religious People

Our host told us there are no atheists in Samoa.  We thought it interesting that on Sunday, the main town of Apia was virtually deserted.  There were no stores or restaurants open, no one walking on the streets, and no cars on the roads.  All were either at worship services or home with family.  

In addition to the three recognized religions, there are others, depending on the village where you live.  It was interesting to see one very large, elaborate church in every small village, surrounded by very humble fales (homes).  There were no stores or business buildings that we could see in the small villages dotting the land where we traveled, so the church was the only large building.  Here are some:  

   

Samoan Fale

I just spent about a half hour posting numerous photos with commentary about the unique, and interesting houses or fales, where people of Samoa live.  Trouble is, I accidentally posted them on my other blog!!!  If you want to sneak a peek at why Samoa is different than any of the other islands we have visited thus far, and one of many reasons why I found this culture so fascinating, 'flick' over, (that's a New Zealand word), to Our Kiwi Krossings and see a glimpse of what I saw while traveling in remote Samoa.

Samoa - Bringing Home Dinner

Transportation in Samoa

While we were in Samoa we didn't see motorcycles or scooters and only a few bicycles.  What we did see were many taxis and buses, especially between the airport and Apia.  We were told there is no public transportation in Samoa, but many privately owned buses, most of which were very brightly painted and personalized with sayings, pictures, statements, etc.  There were no windows, and all seemed to be jammed packed.  Sure made the roads interesting.

We also saw a fair amount of pick up trucks, usually crammed full of something, often people.  The roads in the villages are busy because most people walk and so the cars, trucks and buses have to share the road with people, and........

pigs, chickens and dogs, all of which are allowed to roam freely.  We were told the pigs know where they live and always return home in the evening to be fed.

Samoa Paradise

We said goodbye to beautiful Tahiti, and a few weeks later we were sent to amazing Samoa.  Even though we worked very hard on our assignment, we still managed to do a little sightseeing around this tropical paradise.  Samoa is different than every other Pacific island we have seen thus far.  The people are warm and friendly, their homes and meeting places are unique and colorful, and their villages are vibrant and interesting.  For the next few posts I hope you will enjoy seeing a bit of the eye candy I saw on this last amazing adventure.

Party Refreshment

Tahitian Pearl

Papeete, Tahiti, (pronounced something like Pa-pee-a-tay), is one of the most confusing cities we have ever tried to navigate in.  While the main road around the island is, for the most part, an easily traveled, enjoyable drive, Papeete, the main city, is unbelievably crowded, confusing and just plain crazy!  The roads are narrow, often one way, and intersect each other at every imaginable angle.  Picture a bowl full of spaghetti! No, that's not right.  Do you remember 'pick up sticks' as a child?  If not, imagine a bunch of chop sticks dumped into a large bowl.  That's what the road system reminds me of in Papeete.  Add to that, probably 90 percent of all cars on the island, are trying to drive there.  And if that isn't bad enough, many people ride scooters and aggressively weave in and out of the heavy car traffic.  What a nightmare! Oh, and the icing on the cake was that we have been driving on the left side of the road for a year, and now we were back to the right side of the road.  Whew!


We discovered this the first time we tried to find the temple.  With no GPS available, and very inadequate maps, and very tiny road signs, and wild drivers, it took us forever, but we finally found our way.  Honestly, it felt like we were on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride at Disneyland!!!  After that experience, we avoided going into town.  Finally, however, we needed to venture back.  

As you know, Tahiti is known for their black pearls, although we were quick to learn that Tahitians do not like their pearls to be labeled as 'black' because they indeed do come in many different and subtle shades of green, turquoise, rose, aqua, blue.  Some friends asked us if we had the chance, could we purchase some loose pearls for them, as we had heard you can buy pearls at a great price if you know where to go.  So one day we set out to find the Tahitian Pearl Market located in the center of Papeete.  We drove down the road we thought would take us there, only to end up in a totally different place than we had anticipated and from where our map showed we should be.  We did this numerous times and always ended up in a different place.  We managed to drive around in circles, (or angles), for a half hour or so with no sense of direction and no luck, and without having an accident, which was a miracle as well. Finally, we were so confused and frustrated we just parked the car, (finding a parking space was the next hurdle), and decided we'd just have to walk the streets asking people along the way.  Of course everyone only spoke French!


After trying to communicate with numerous people about what we were looking for, we finally found the store, located in a small room up a flight of stairs.  The gentleman who helped us spoke excellent English (thank heavens!), and was very interesting and friendly.  He ushered us over to one of about 6 small tables covered with white tablecloths and we sat down.  He talked to us about the history of the pearl market in Tahiti, and about the pearls themselves, how they are graded, how you can tell if they are real or fake, how to know if you are paying a fair price, etc.  He then asked us what grade of pearls we were looking for, etc.  Finally, of course, it comes down to how much money one is willing to spend and do you want to spend that amount for a smaller perfect pearl, or a larger pearl with some flaws. 


When he had an idea of what we were looking for he brought out a box of a hundred pearls or so and just dumped them out on the white tablecloth.  It was quite a sight, and I guess I was too dazzled to think about taking a picture.  He started sorted through them just as I remember kids doing with their collection of marbles, looking for ones that stood out from the rest because of their color or brilliance.  


We found some lovely pearls for our friends and then Jeff brought one for me.  I had it mounted in a simple setting while we waited so that I could wear it with a ring I often wear as a wedding band.  (Side note:  I do have a lovely diamond wedding set that I left at home just because I didn't want to take the chance of losing it or getting it stolen.  Instead I'm wearing a friendship ring Jeff bought me when we were dating over 45 years ago.)

Here is my pearl being mounted in the setting:

 
     And here is the end result:

I think our not-so-pleasant encounter with Papeete traffic was well worth the effort!  Now when I go home to Utah, and this amazing experience seems like it was just a dream, I'll have a beautiful ring to remind me that I was really here, half way around the world in French Polynesia, experiencing all the beauty of Tahiti and Moorea for myself.  What a blessing!

Tahiti Coast

There's a Storm Moving In

More of Moorea

Have I convinced you that Moorea is amazingly beautiful????

What about now????

Beautiful Water - Moorea

 Moorea, French Polynesia

(small island near Tahiti)

I found it amazing that on Moorea, the water was a beautiful turquoise, even on an overcast day.  This is a lovely resort nestled among lush gardens and waterfalls.  We ate lunch at the restaurant here, with our table at the edge of the water, and our toes in the white sand.   We recommend this very spot to anyone looking for a true tropical paradise.  Perfection!

Place of Worship - Moorea

A short ferry ride from the main island of Tahiti is the small, resort island of Moorea.   This is truly the tropical paradise of your dreams....well, at least my dreams.  We could have driven around the entire island in 40 minutes if I hadn't stopped around every bend to take photos.  The water is a clear, beautiful shade of turquoise, and washes over a reef to meet white sand beaches, then within yards, rises up to spectacularly lush and craggy cliffs.  There are relatively few people on the island and only a few well appointed resorts.  One can walk on deserted white sand beaches, but still find restaurants and tourist activities.  More of beautiful Moorea tomorrow.

View From Coastal Road - Tahiti

This is a glimpse of the ocean side of the coastal road, with views of crystal clear waters and jagged volcanic peaks.  Much of Tahiti is unspoiled and pristine.  Surprisingly, there are not many hotels or resorts on the main island, so it is not overrun with tourists. 

Tahiti Eye Candy

Tahiti is shaped like the number 8.  There is only one main road that circles one loop of the '8' along the coast.  Here is a glimpse of the scenery I saw on the inland side.  It doesn't get more tropical or more beautiful than this!  

Papeete, Tahiti Temple

Papeete, Tahiti Temple

This is the beautiful temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tahiti.  

I am a frustrated photographer, still.  I know I've said this before, but I'll say it again.  We have had so many adventures and I've been so busy that I'm way behind in sharing with you a glimpse of where we've been and what we are doing.  For example, we've just arrived back in NZ from eight days in Samoa.  Yes, you read that correctly.  We've just returned from Samoa and I've posted a photo from Tahiti!  We were in Tahiti about a month and a half ago and this is the first photo from that beautiful paradise that I've shared with you.  I decided I can't post photos from Samoa, until I post some from Tahiti.  So here I go.  If you've never been to Tahiti and would like a glimpse of what I saw, stay tuned because for the next week or so I will take you on a tour of one of the most beautiful places in the world.  (Then I'll show you Samoa, another one of the most beautiful places in the world!!!!!) 

 

Auckland New Zealand Harbor

As we strolled along the Auckland Harbor one night we saw this beautiful, sleek yacht anchored.  It was VERY expensive looking and I thought this would make a nice photo with the interesting roof of the building as a backdrop.  I don't think The Auckland Tourist Bureau would mind this photo as an advertisement.  But what a difference from the view 45 degrees to the right..........

 I'm standing at the same location, and this is the view just a few degrees to the right of the yacht.  I loved the contrast. 


 

Marokopa Falls - New Zealand

Marokopa Falls

Beautiful Falls, but a very windy, misty day

Same shot, but B&W gives a different look and feel

Bridal Veil Falls #2, New Zealand

Bridal Veil Falls

The trouble with landscape photography is that you have to deal with the darn weather!  In the previous post, it was raining hard, and because the river was flooded, the waterfall was muddy.  When we were there this time, the sky was clear but it was very windy and cold.  I set a slow shutter speed to 'veil' the water, but because it was windy, the moving foliage was blurred as well.  You just have to compromise sometimes and do the best you can with what 'mother nature' gives you.

 

Bridal Veil Falls, New Zealand

BRIDAL VEIL FALLS, NORTH ISLAND

There had been much rain during the previous weeks, and as we drove to these falls we followed a river that was overflowing its banks.  We parked the car and started down the path leading to the falls which ran right next to the river.  It was raining still, and part of the path was flooded.  As we continued to walk the river continued to grow in size, the rain increased, and the path looked like it could flood or wash away at any minute.  By the time we made it to this location, I was too nervous to take much time composing a shot.  I set up my tripod, and while Jeff was saying "Hurry up, we've got to get out of here," I snapped about 3 shots, then we ran back to the car so as not to get stranded.  Since then we've been back to these falls and tomorrow I'll post a photo from the same location but not taken in such bad weather conditions. 

Coromandel Coast

Can you see Jeff taking a stroll on this beautiful deserted beach?  It is amazing to us that around almost every bend along the coasts of NZ are spectacularly beautiful, pristine beaches, and most of them are deserted!  This is truly an unspoiled paradise.  I'm used to the beaches of Southern California where you are competing with thousands of other people to find a square of sand to have a picnic or relax in the sun.

Castle Guardian

LARNACH CASTLE GUARDIAN

I really liked the dramatic light here.

Remember When.....

I don't know about where you live, but it's been a long time since I've seen a free standing phone booth.  We see them every once in a while here in NZ.  This fine looking specimen, (phone booth including occupant),  is in downtown Dunedin.

HELP!!!! HELP!!!! HELP!!!!

BLOGGING FRIENDS, I NEED HELP!

How do I get rid of spam?????? 


I keep getting this email:
(From)  Anonymous         (Subject)   [What Karen Sees] New comment on.........(then the name of a post)

The 'Address' line shows:
Anonymous   < no reply-comment@blogger.com >

The actual email message says:
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post........(then the name of a post)
Below that are numerous links to other websites.  

The interesting thing, is there is no actual comment on my blog so I can't delete it there.


I read about how to block junk mail on my email program (I use Entourage on a MAC), and it instructs me to add the sender's email address to a blocked email list.  The problem is, it said that the domain (the part of the address after the @) would be blocked.  Since the part after the @ is @blogger.com, that would then block emails from all my friends that use blogger.


I have no idea how to solve this.  I'm getting more and more emails from Anonymous every day, now about 10 a day.  If anyone can help me get rid of this I'd be so grateful.  THANK YOU! THANK YOU!


And here is a Phun Phriday photo to give you a smile:

The Famous BOOT Fence

LARNACH CASTLE - Dunedin, New Zealand

The Otaga Pennisula

A beautiful setting for the Larnach Castle

 Larnach Castle
This is the only castle in New Zealand.  William Larnach was a successful banker, financier, merchant baron, landowner and minister of the Crown.  He built the castle for his beloved first wife.  The lives of the Larnach family were exciting, scandalous and tragic.  Two wives later, William ended his amazing career and life with a gunshot to the head as he sat alone in a committee room in Parliament.

We were not allowed to take photos inside, so I had to be satisfied with photographing the outside of the castle with various compositions.  Here they are:

Close Up from the Side

Framed From a Distance

Leading Lines and Far Away

Just a Glimpse

 

The First Church of Otago - Dunedin

The First Church of Otago

There are many wonderful old churches in the town of Dunedin, as well as other beautiful old buildings.  I second Diane's comment in my last post that I hope Dunedin never has devastating earthquakes like its neighbor to the north, Christchurch.

Dunedin Train Station

Dunedin Train Station

We were told this is the most photographed building in New Zealand.  Dunedin, a beautiful city on the south island, is graced with many stately old buildings and impressive old cathedrals. 

 Part of the challenge of photographing buildings in a city is to find a composition that doesn't include distractions like wires, street signs, cars, etc.  I had to stand in the middle of a busy intersection to get this shot without including a bunch of street signs which were just out of the frame on the right.  Since there was no way I could get the shot without including the stop signal, I placed it so it would blend in with the solid gray bricks to be less noticeable.

The Boat Shed

We often see colorful little boat sheds nestled near the shores of the many lakes, bays and harbors here in New Zealand.  This one caught my eye because it was so bright and looked like it had just received a brand new coat of paint.  I don't know if it was the time of day combined with the angle of light, but the colors were so vibrant SOOTC, that I actually desaturated when I edited, and it still looks unnaturally intense.

Owharoa Falls, New Zealand

Owharoa Falls, New Zealand

A few Saturdays ago we took our third drive along the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula (where I took the photos from the last post).  Toward the end of the day we wanted to find some waterfalls that several people had told us were very photogenic.  We searched and searched, and drove right past several times, but finally found them.  They were just a few yards off the road, but hidden by foliage.  By the time I was ready to take photos it was already twilight and quite dark.  As long as I have my tripod, this is my favorite time to photograph waterfalls.  There is still some soft light, but it's dark enough to set a slow shutter speed to create silky soft water.  I agree with the people who told me these falls are very photogenic.   What do you think?