Ian-credibly Blue
This lagoon and my hubbo looking sooo good in blue.
Honeymoon Day 1 in Ofu
Guest post: Ian’s trip to Ofu, Manu`a
Talofa!
This is Ian, and I’ll be doing my very first guest appearance on Relli’s epic blog! I went to Ofu for work at the end of 2019 to fix a repeater tower and swap out some temperature loggers in Ofu’s Toaga lagoon. On my second to last day, I took out the GoPro and snagged a few pics. Hope you enjoy them.
Impending low tide; Not a bad place to be stuck.
I managed to squeeze through the cracks in the reef to get back to the ranger station before dark.
NPS has temperature loggers near some of these corals. We use this data to look at how temperature contributes to changes in the ecosystem over time. Parts of Toaga lagoon are notorious for getting super hot, and harboring remarkably thermotolerant corals.
Classic. Gotta give Relli mad props for making this shot look as good as it does. Lovin the lightroom skillzzz!
The high density and biodiversity of corals in Toaga Lagoon acts as a refugia for many species of fish. Acanthurus triostegus, Chlorurus frontalis, and Acanthurus guttatus are particularly prevalent.
It’s beginning to look a lot like a Christmas tree worm…Sorry, I had to.
Relli always loves these little Chromis viridis, so I always try and snag some pics of them when she’s not around. So pretty!
this is nerelle – i loved this post! who all thinks ian should post more on the blog?! me for sure! oh andi just wanted to point out that this is ian’s second time posting on my blog. his first post was after we got engaged: https://nerelle.com/the-other-side-of-the-proposal/
Rummaging through the archives
I’m searching through my archives this weekend for fine art photos that I can use to sell prints of in the near future (!!!). Attending an artists’ social mixer a couple of weeks ago has lit a spark for me to get back to the arts. I’m starting with photos, but I’d like to eventually get into hand crafts and graphic illustrations as well.
Anyhow, here are some photos I re-edited from my trip to Ofu early last year that I stumbled upon while rummaging through the archives.
Snorkeling in Ofu | Part 3
A late addition, but I almost completely forgot about these photos I snapped on my last day in Ofu. Taken Jan 8, 2019, on a Canon G7X with housing, while snorkeling in the To’aga lagoon.
My favorite fish
Testing out the camera settings / say hi to Rick and Polly!
Two fish out of water 😉
Porites coral
Acanthurus lineatus
Abudefduf sexfasciatus over porites coral
Fungia coral polyp
Fungia coral polyp
Fungia coral polyp
Cephalopholis argus
Cephalopholis argus
Abudefduf sexfasciatus
Chrysiptera biocellata
Chrysiptera biocellata
Chaetodon citrinellus
Chaetodon citrinellus
Chaetodon citrinellus
Chaetodon citrinellus
Scenes around Vaoto Lodge: Ofu Photo Journal
Welcome to Scenes around Vaoto Lodge – a photo journal that depicts my experience at Vaoto Lodge.
Vaoto Lodge was, up until recently, the only establishment that offered accommodations in the tiny island of Ofu, American Samoa. There is now one other spot, but we opted for Vaoto Lodge because of word of mouth and it’s ideal location right across the Ofu Airport runway, next to the NPS Ranger Station, and just a few minutes from (my favorite beach ever) the To’aga lagoon.
Right: NPS Ofu Ranger Station
Left: Vaoto Lodge
The Ofu Airport runway is literally a stone throw’s away from the Lodge and within earshot of the NPS Ranger Station – not a bad thing at all because there’s only one flight a week and the hubbub lasts a total of half an hour (which is actually an exciting time for the otherwise quiet village).
One of my favorite visual aspects of Vaoto Lodge is the herbage that surrounds the property, especially after a bout of rain.
You can tell that lot of thought, diligence, and patience was involved in making the landscape what it is.
The rooms are simple but have everything you need and more (yesss to comfy beds and hot showers!). This was our room, and right across we had a garden vignette of the ocean.
This bookcase is filled with history, nature, and pieces of people who travel.
This particular evening was really cool. Deborah and Ben, who own and manage the Lodge, had some leftover fish and tied it to a rock to see what would eat it. Over the next couple of hours, we watched six black tip reef sharks swim into the shallows, but only two actually took a bite. It was interesting to observe their behavior.
Alice and Marley (Deb and Ben’s dog).
We sat in the little drifter’s fale, on the beachfront of Vaoto Lodge, and watched the sky desaturate and darken.
Here, another soft evening glow surrounds us at Vaoto Lodge. Ian biked around the runway, and I hung out by the beach to snap photos of Olosega and Ta’ū in the distance; the sun hiding behind the clouds not wanting to say goodnight.
There is so much more to Vaoto Lodge… I didn’t originally plan on blogging about the place so I didn’t get photos of the main house/interior rooms, the spacious utilitarian kitchen, and oh man the mozzies! This is just a compilation of bits and pieces from my two weeks at Vaoto Lodge.
Between family, friends, and strangers, Vaoto Lodge is a home away from home.
Check out their website here: http://www.vaotolodge.com/
Snorkeling in Ofu – Part 2
More underwater living treasures photographed while snorkeling in the shallows of To’aga lagoon during low tide.
I’ll do my best to ID what I can at some point, but comment below if you see any you know!
Ichthyologists, please chime in!
Photos from January 7, 2019.
Thanks to Mareike S. for letting me borrow your Canon G7X and housing, and Rick M. for shooting with me!
View more Ofu underwater pics here.
Another sunny, lazy, beach day in Ofu
Yet another insanely beautiful day in Ofu.
I was supposed to be heading back to Tutuila on this day, but I waved my plane goodbye and decided to take a chance at another flight out of Ta’ū next week. Then we spent the rest of our morning and afternoon at the beach.
The day was still young, and the sun shone bright on the heavenly sand at To’aga. Ian hung his hammock between coconut trees, and I walked down the stretch and found the perfect nook to set my camera down on timer and attempt classic jump photos (and failed). Sorry not sorry, I can’t help it – To’aga lagoon, Sunuitao peak and Piumafua mountain are absolute icons in my opinion.
Rick stopped by and I had to get a father/son photo. And then we just lazed the rest of the day!
Ofu: Should I Stay or Should I Go?
With only one flight a week to and from Ofu, it can be a bit tricky when it comes to flight changes. After a sweet week ringing in the New Years and doing all the adventures, I wanted to stay longer and really relax. The original plan was that I would only stay one week, and Ian and his parents would stay two weeks since he’d get to work out of the NPS ranger station. But with the government shutdown still ongoing with no sure signs of ending, we all thought why not stay just a little bit longer? No work, no problem! (for now)
Ian tried to arrange my flight back for the next week but it was all booked out. So on Thursday morning, the flight I was supposed to head back on had arrived and after a busy 30 minutes, it was decided. I waved goodbye to the plane and would manage my flight back through Ta’ū next week. I head back to the lodge and unpacked my bag again, then head to the beach!
And that was my only ‘worry’ of the entire two weeks.
The end. xoxo
Snorkeling at To’aga Beach – Part 1
The underwater marine life in Ofu is just beyondddd!
I have amassed quite a few photos of fish and coral during our 2 weeks in Ofu. I’m constantly dazed and amazed at To’aga beach and the National Park of American Samoa on Ofu island.
Here’s part 1 of snorkeling photos.
(View more underwater photos here)
I’m still trying to ID all the different fish and coral, so if you know any of these, please let me know in the comments below!
fire coral
Strongylura incisa – needlefish
Oxymanacanthus longirostris
fire coral of some sort
Acanthurus triostegus / Acanthurs guttatus
Chrysyptera taupou
Porites coral
Acanthurus triostegus – convict tang
Porites coral
Acanthurus nigricans / Acanthurus nigroris / Ctenochaetus striatus / Halichoeres hortulanus
Acanthurus guttatus / acanthurus striatus /
christmas tree worm
fire coral
Acanthurus triostegus – convict tang
acropora
Chlorurus frontalis
Porites cylindrica??
manini
Mt. Tumu: My Favorite Hike
FIRST HIKE OF THE YEAR
02 January 2019
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What better way to start off the new year than with a restful day lounging at the beach (which is basically all I did on New Years Day), followed by a strenuous hike up Mt. Tumu! Our awesome hosts, Ben and Deb, at Vaoto Lodge offered to drive us to the trailhead just pass the wharf in the main Ofu village, and we started our trek up Tumutumu.
I was super slow to start. I forgot how difficult the hike was (the last time I hiked Mt. Tumu was about 2 years ago!) and had to stop a bunch in the first hour to catch my breath, rehydrate, and rest my little legs while Rick and Polly blazed ahead. The trail looked surprisingly good for not having been maintained over the last couple of weeks since the government shutdown, and I whispered a thank you to the Ofu National Park Service team for their work.
In the second hour, I finally found my rhythm. While trudging forward, I actually tried to mentally harden myself for the hike and told myself we were probably only halfway there. But as soon as I said that, we came upon the blessed sign that said ‘Tumu Overlook’ and I almost cried hahaha. I hippity hopped up behind Ian through the last 15 minutes of the trail and laughed out loud when I heard Ian hoot at the top.
Mt. Tumu is my favorite hike thus far. Making it to the top is worth every bit of the struggle it took to get there. Besides, it really wasn’t that bad, right? We drank in the view of the Ofu, Olosega, and Ta’ū isles. It was a beautiful sunny day, and I was happy to see the top of Mt. Piumafua which is normally enshrouded in clouds. Another reason I love this hike is the view below. Standing at the precipice, you can look down and see the lush green mountain drop almost straight down to the blue To’aga lagoon and stretching into the Pacific horizon. It just feels epic. Being here with Ian and his parents made my heart swell with gratitude for our time together in this magical place.
Hanging Out at Golden Hour: Ofu Photo Journal
January 2nd was a spectacular day.
We hiked Mt. Tumu, jumped in the ocean to cool down, and then two words: golden hour.
It was Taylor’s last night so Ben and Deb set up a sweet bonfire on the beach with bevvies all around.
And later, the clouds cleared and I finally got the stars I was wishing for.
Ofu, Olosega, and Ta,’ū islands make up the Manu’a islands of American Samoa
My golden boy
Sweet sunsets
Hanging out on the Ofu airstrip
I love how the sun reflects on the Ofu Fire Station (orange building)
A hunk at dusk
Always gushing over my guy
Ofu, ooh-la-la
Taylor stoking the fire
This beach is litttt
A lovely bunch of individuals – the Vaoto crew
Ian took these two pics (above and below) and I love the mood
Reading on vacation | Ofu Photo Journal
I love feeling like I have all the time in the world on vacations.
Reading is one of those things that I love to do but can be difficult to make time for in between a full day at work, social life, and (let’s be honest) eating and pooping. In fact, I used to do a lot of reading whilst sitting on that throne hahaha – but I digress.
I’m a slow reader so it took me all of 2 weeks to read “Coming of Age in Samoa” by Margaret Mead. I love it for its account of Samoan daily life in Manu’a, American Samoa back in the 1920s. She paints a vivid picture that I (having grown up in American Samoa in the 90s) can actually sort of relate to. Here we are lounging and reading in hammocks at To’aga beach on New Years Day.
