ofu Archives - Page 2 of 2

Passing through Olosega

Jan 8, 2019 | Lifestyle, Travel

Olosega is another island that is part of the Manu’a group, and is separated from Ofu island by the Asaga Bridge. We biked from Vaoto Lodge to the Asaga Bridge, and decided to walk the sandy roads Olosega village on foot because I was weary of dogs. It was still Christmas break and the small village seemed pretty quiet. I made note of Mati’s store which is the only one in Olosega. We waved to few people and avoided the barking dogs. By the time we got to the Oge Trail, it was just past noon and we were almost out of water. We kept going for a little bit and admired the view of Ofu-Olosega and their unique landscape before heading back to into the village towards Mati’s store for water.

Coconuts and Jenga – Ofu Evenings

Jan 6, 2019 | Lifestyle

My days in Ofu are usually spent on the beach, or biking through To’aga, or killing my legs hiking Mt. Tumu. But the evenings are lax – usually spent around the table with kindred spirits.

This particular evening involved fresh coconuts and Jenga towers. We were getting really good (or so we thought) and attempted the world record with a 41 stack, but we could only get to 34 max. We had a blast though!

Coconut Crab for NYE Dinner

Jan 6, 2019 | Lifestyle, Sustainable Living, Travel

The guys went out the night before New Year’s Eve and caught two coconut crabs for our NYE dinner.

I asked why they only caught two and they said it was because they wanted to hunt responsibly. Good point.

Coconut crabs are suuuuper delicious, and it’s true that there aren’t many crabs just roving the land these days. Even though there are a bunch of coconut crabs in Ofu – doesn’t mean that we should be taking more than we need.

We sat down to eat on New Year’s Eve with family and friends and shared yum food. We also ate baby rack ribs that Ian made but lo – we’re going to be cutting out red meat from our diet in 2019! So we’re making steps towards more sustainable eating habits.

Tui Ofu Well

Jan 6, 2019 | Culture, Travel

Not far from the beach is an ancient historic village that’s spanned over three millenniums. And there, you’ll find the sacred Tui Ofu water well, where the high chiefs of Ofu convened/bathed.

From To’aga Road to Asaga Strait | Ofu Photo Journal

Dec 31, 2018 | Lifestyle, Travel

After nearly falling over a bunch of times, I finally get the hang of bike riding again. Deb and Ben at Vaoto Lodge were super kind to let us borrow their beach cruisers, and Ian and I rode along the length of the stretch and walked our bikes up a couple of little hills until we got to the Asaga Strait where a bridge connects the islands of Ofu and Olosega.

Rick and Polly took the scenic stroll from the lodge and met us there. Ian checked out the bridge with his dad, and inspect the traffic cone marking the site that government cars accidentally powered through on two different occasions earlier this year and plummeted into the ocean. I can’t help but be distracted by the aqua hues all around and empty sandy beaches. We hung out for a little while and all take gulps from Ian’s flask (oops we all forgot our water bottles), and take a few pics on the bridge. Rick and Polly make their way back to To’aga and Ian and I continued on to Olosega village.

Bike Riding at To’aga + Sunu’itao Peak | Ofu Photo Journal

Dec 31, 2018 | Lifestyle, Travel

By far the best way to get around Ofu is by bike.
To’aga stretches only a couple of miles but riding around on a cruiser—
wind in your hair
pavement under your wheels
next to this hunk of a babe
at the best beach in the world
—surely this can’t be beat.

There’s this one stretch of road that is my favorite because as you come up to it, the lush greens on both sides of the path clear up to reveal the dramatic Sunu`itao Peak and to me, it’s just absolutely iconic. I am awestruck again and again.

PS… I’m a horrific bike rider, as in I’m not good at it. And my excuse is that I’m short, making virtually all adult bikes too big for me. So yeah, me saying all this means bike riding in Ofu is legit legit.

Visit with a Kingfisher | Ofu Photo Journal

Dec 30, 2018 | Lifestyle, Travel

Just a few minutes after landing at Ofu, we meet Jamie and Holly from the Institute of Bird Populations (IBP). They’re surveying bird populations on Ofu and just so happened to be at the lodge to pick up a parcel that our neighbor asked us to bring over from Tutuila. They invited us over to check out a kingfisher with an eye injury that they were rehabilitating back to health. The little airplane that carried us to Ofu had already flown away, and we drove down the sandy road beside the airstrip to Ofu village where the girls were living for the past few months. I snapped admiringly at the the view of Ofu from the backseat of the truck. The kingfisher was in their care for just the last 24 hours and it was making steady improvements but after taking him outside, it was decided he needed more TLC and wasn’t ready to take off back into the wild just yet.

Thanks Jamie and Holly for showing us your awesome work!

Snorkeling at To’aga Beach | Ofu Photo Journal

Dec 30, 2018 | Lifestyle, Travel

Talofa from Ofu island!

We arrived on Thursday, December 27th on the only flight of the week. I’m with Ian and his parents, Rick and Polly. It’s their first time here, and Ian and I have been here before. We’re all elated to be here. We walk off the airstrip directly to the front door of Vaoto Lodge to check in with owner Deborah Malae, and were greeted by familiar faces – our neighbors from Tutuila, Mark and Alice, are also here for the week; and Jamie and Hallie from the Institute of Bird Populations (IBP) invite us over on their truck to Ofu village to check out a kingfisher that they were rehabbing.

Then we head off straight towards To’aga beach, about a 15-minute walk from the Lodge. We lather up in our favorite reef-safe sunscreen, and have a snack on the beach. Ian is the first in the water, as always; and I can tell just by looking at him that the water is perfect. I set up the Canon G7X and underwater housing that my friend Mareike was super kind to let me borrow, and follow behind Rick and Polly and sigh a happy sigh. How lucky am I?!

We snorkel towards an area that science folks refer to as “Pools 300” and that’s where we are met by mounds and mounds of beautiful and healthy porites coral heads and schools of manini (convict tangs) and needlefish, and so much life. My snorkel mask has a constant fogging problem, but Ian uses his magic spit to help clear it up and I hand him the camera to take photos too. I am grateful to be here, feeling alive in Ofu, underwater, and seeing this beauty. Thanks babe!