Beach Huts in Samoa

The traditional house in Samoa is a hut called a “fale.”  Fales generally are open-air (no walls) but with pillars (usually 8, sometimes more), and a thatched roof.  If they’re used for sleeping (as a bedroom), they may have some woven banana leaves for privacy and for sideways rain.  Often, a village’s (or family’s) main common room / living room fale is open air and it’s not uncommon to see a widescreen TV out for all to see (and steal, though this is not a problem in such a small community).

Here are two quick tours of fales that we stayed in while on the island of Savai’i in Samoa!

This is a fale at Regina’s on the north side of the island, by many awesome dive sites (Shoutout to Dive Savaii, a great dive shop!):

And here’s “Chalet Anne” at Lucia’s near Tofua Crater:

Blowholes in Samoa

MS and I adventured out to the blowholes at Alofaaga, Samoa.  There were a couple of sections with multiple blowholes each, with this one being the most fun:

 

The picture above isn’t mine, but the source is the Samoa travel bureau.

It can be really entertaining to throw coconuts into the blowhole just before the blast of water – here’s a picture (not mine) and a couple videos (mine) below.

 
Photo source

MS tossing in a coconut and the result!

 

General entertainment through massive crashing waves!

A Month and a Half

Not too much to report for the time being, but figured people were curious what I've been doing. Well, I've been enjoying southern California for all it has to offer. Here are a few snaps:

First off, an *updated* picture out my window, as I work from home (sometimes). Note the electric car out front, the MacBook, simple speakers, and plenty of light and fresh air!

The next four pictures are from a hiking trip near my house -- started at Chantry Flats, two nights in the 'backcountry' and then popped out at Mt. Wilson (followed by a short hike down the hill to the car.)



The very spot where this campfire was (safely) lit (and extinguished) (West Fork Campground) is now completely decimated by the wildfires.
The wildfire that burned the whole area:



Next few pics are of general Los Angeles area fun-things: Dodgers game (mid-pitch), Griffith Observatory, and the Hollywood Bowl for an unbelievably good LA Philharmonic / Brazilian musician night + Fireworks.




Finally, a picture of me in a funny hat on the beach, followed by a picture of me in a serious hat, followed by a picture and movie of a special friend who likes to hula hoop with fire!