Concierge

Discovery

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y snorkling destination was an
invigorating 30 minute walk from the
in-town lodge. Not that it mattered.
Every step along the way was a step American Samoa’s “Whaling Wall”
closer to an underwater world of pristine coral reef and (above) by world reknown Hawaiian
colorful aquatic fish life. artist Wyland, is one of only one
hundred worldwide. Just across the
Parrot Fish And I had done my homework.
street is the Feleti Barstow Library.
My hotel dedicated a corner of the lobby brimming with You can browse the Pacific Collection
a treasure of illustrated marine guide literature. Browsing or search the reference section for
through the pamphlets and maps provided by the government a stunning collection of Samoan arts,
jewelry, culture and ancient pacific
Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources, my
voyaging.
expectations soared before I ever dipped a toe into the ocean.
I learned about the two species of coral (finger, 1 and staghorn, The Executive Office
Building is home to
Wrasse 2)) and the five families of reef fish at Faga’alu Bay. There
the Fagatele Bay Na-
were both scientific names and common names of my soon- tional Marine Sanc-
to-be new friends. A map (below) directed me to the snorkling tuary Office. There is free literature
starting point and the areas of the reef where both coral and available about this beautiful natural
fish hang out. The hotel information kiosk had photos of resource. (on Second Floor)

V
the sea life I would encounter and dared me to count the
number of fish species in each family. After thirty minutes
of education I was prepared to begin the experience and
Get-A-Way WeekEnd
Trigger Fish discovery portion of the trip. So far I hadn’t spent a penny, ery affordable
yet my knowledge level of the coral reef environment had backpacker and
been raised beyond expectations. budget tourist rates are
available at two Pago Bay area
Three hours later my newly achieved virtual expectations motels. Scanlan’s Hotel has clean,
were fully realized. Having learned the biological life of suitable rooms beginning at $ 35 a night with shared bath.
coral, from the individual photosynthetic plant cells living Evalani’s Motel rooms begin at $ 60 per night. Both economy
within the animal host coral polyps, I observed in nature’s hotels are withing walking distance to the market place and bus
Butterfly Fish realm a living creature both plant and animal. stop.
The introduction to coral reef fish life surprised me even Falepule is more upscale and more expensive. There’s a
more. Within ten minutes of shore (water temperature 85) I reason why. The bed and breakfast is situated above the entrance
recognized one member of each of the five fish families to Pago Harbor offering an expansive panorama of ships entering
and departing the harbor. Gourmet meals are served and the
(left). Before long, I could differentiate the movements of
hardy visitor can easily walk to view two well preserved World
each species based on my new found knowledge of fin shape
War II gun emplacements just above the lodge.
(dorsal, pectoral, anal and caudal). I recognized the territorial
sparring underway and saw first hand the symbiotic
Surgeon Fish
relationship between
fish and coral life.
Snorkling done it was
Coming Up
time to head home. Tisa’s Tatoo Festival Oct. 30, 31
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Back at the hotel I
reread the literature
1 with an even greater Miss American Samoa
Insert Area
Start appreciation of what I
Depth Profile had just learned and Samoa Jazz & Blues Fest Nov 12,13
0
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experienced.The coral
20
ft
reefs of Tutuila had
been very good to me.