A Little Big Island Adventure

Sep 14, 2018 | Lifestyle

LABOR DAY WEEKEND 2018

We went with a group of friends on a little adventure… scratch that, it was a big island adventure. Something we’ve been wanting to do for the last 4 years. I was unsure I could leave work early but I promised to work over the weekend. Then Ian picked me up with his kayak and my SUP already strapped to our bright green truck, and a huge smile on his face, and we drove north. Thank God for Ian too because he packed all my stuff and prepped food and carried our vessels onto the truck, which he later offloaded in the bay, and then we paddled out to sea…

(…continued)

I used to be scared of paddling out in deep waters because of the sensible/irrational fear of something ominous beneath the cerulean sea.

I became so much more aware of the beating of my heart.

It took repeated familiarity and a good amount of hand holding before I learned to quell those fears and am now more excited than scared.

And thank goodness I overcame this because if not I would not have been rewarded with idyllic lush mountains and isolated beaches.

Photos taken by Nerelle Que and Ian Moffitt – but on the GoPro, mostly by Ian 😉

SESSIONS: The Trautz Are Expecting!

Sep 6, 2018 | Photography

An impromptu mini session with
Ko’olina & Randy Trautz (+1)

This good looking duo came back to American Samoa for 2 weeks to celebrate their one year together as Mr. & Mrs. They showed up unannounced at my office last week, which made me scream with joy, and Ko’olina pointed down at her belly for an even bigger surprise – her darling little baby bump! This will be Ko’olina and Randy’s first lil’ baby mango, and I am so thrilled for them both. I’ve known Ko’olina pretty much my whole life since she and my older sister met at kindergarten and we all basically grew up together. Now she’ll have a kid of her own and I already know he/she is gonna be so so so cute, and that Ko’olina and Randy are going to be awesome parents.

Photo Journal: Ko’olina & Randy’s surprise visit

Sep 3, 2018 | Lifestyle

While I was at work last week, my coworker tapped me on the shoulder and said there was a couple downstairs who asked to see me. I wasn’t expecting anyone, but I walked downstairs and saw Ko’olina and Randy! I screamed. I haven’t seen Ko’olina and Randy in over 5 years and I’ve known her my whole life growing up! They were visiting for the their anniversary week, and I was so happy they stopped by. We hung out at the beach a couple of times and caught up on our lives, and I’m really hoping they move back home soon! hahah

Sailing Sea Casa with friends

Aug 19, 2018 | Lifestyle

Weekend Day Sail with SV Sea Casa

Connor Jackson is a friend of a friend crossed the South Pacific on a 31′ Hunter named Sea Casa. Our mutual friend Michele, who used to live here in American Samoa and worked with Ian at the National Park, told us he was coming in and we were stoked to hang out with him and a few friends this weekend for a day sail on the southern Tutuila coast.

It was dumping rain most of the morning but we motored out of the harbor anyway and our good attitudes were rewarded with a little wind and a lot of sun for a glorious arvo.

Needless to say, I got seasick and prepared myself for this with a thumb of ginger I bought just before we hopped on the boat. I was just gnawing away at it and burped a bunch, and then puked my perfect bacon and egg open sammich breakfast not once but thrice in the 5 hours we were out. It was still a blast!

Connor and Ian had the good sense to jump off the boat when we got over the shallow part of the Taema banks, and we all quickly followed in. It felt so so so good to get off the rocking boat for a bit. It was a super calm day and the water was the perfect temperature. I wish I felt well enough to take more photos, but no complaints because Ian took most of these pics and it turned out to be an awesome day!

Adventures with Shivaun: Part 2

Jun 25, 2018 | Lifestyle

Even though we live on a tiny island where road trips are not really a thing, it’s still super fun to get on the road with friends and enjoy the ride.

This beauty.

me: “Look here!”

me: “Can you all stand up”

me: “Wacky one!”

*me: says nothing*

*everybody: shows their booty*

And then comes the awkward family photos…

And Shivaun dramatically portraying her departure from the island

We waited for the sun to go down and watched the lights slowly flicker on below us.

Love this human

We’re all from different places, backgrounds and experiences

but how cool is it that this little island brings us together like this

See Adventures with Shivaun: Part 1, where we drive west to Amanave.

Also, our Clothing Swap that morning was a lot of fun.

Adventures with Shivaun: Part 1

Jun 25, 2018 | Lifestyle

After last weekend’s clothing swap, our friend Shivaun (who is leaving the island soon) spontaneously decided to take a drive around the island in the back of the truck… because if you know American Samoa at all, you’d know that riding in the back of the truck with friends is one of those special little things about this place.

None of us really had any plans for the rest of the day so we all jumped in the back of Ryan’s truck and took off. We drove east first towards Samu’s for homemade ice cream goodness.

Then went west, because we don’t go to the west side nearly enough. Made a pit stop at a local market stand for a quick coconut drive through.

Got to Amanave and pulled over the side of the road to enjoy our cold coconuts (we brought our own metal and bamboo straws!), and took some silly photos.

“Sometimes you gotta just feel your feelings…” that’s what this light of a human told me yesterday at her tofa.

It’s a weird thing when it’s time to go and the past 2 years feel like a blur. But we’re all travelers on the road of rediscovery and I hope you never stop searching for your dharma Shivvy! Love you my girl and I’ll see ya in Sconsin or absolutely anywhere I can

See Adventures with Shivaun: Part 2, where we hang out in Aoloau.

Also, our Clothing Swap that morning was a lot of fun.

Spontaneous date nights around the island

Jun 17, 2018 | Lifestyle

Spontaneous date nights are the best.

Especially when we skip the restaurant and just get on the road, have the best convos on the drive, and stop to appreciate the beauty all around us.

The plains of American Samoa from the lookout in Aoloau.

This day was just a regular ol’ Wednesday.

I’d been working late a lot lately, so it was nice to go home before nightfall and convince Ian that we should get out of the house.

And good thing I had the camera in the car because I love to remember these moments in pictures.

We watched the street lights slowly flicker on as the night got darker, and the sun dipped below the mountain behind us.

Ian and Paolo surfing

Apr 13, 2018 | Lifestyle, Moments

The weekend before Paolo said tofā soifua American Samoa.

Pua trees surf session looking dreamy at 7am, and my camera was all misty from the morning air.

Photos from before and after their surf because I was shooting videos in between.

Meet: Mikah Meyer

Mar 31, 2018 | Meet

We all wonder and wander in our own little way. Everybody’s got a story to tell.
If you want to have a chat, I’d love to MEET you!

Meet Mikah Meyer.

A double world-record holder for being the youngest person to visit all 417 US national parks in a single continuous journey, started in honor of his late father, and to bring his “Pride Outside”. Mikah came to American Samoa in late February to experience the only US National Park Service system south of the equator, and I had the pleasure of meeting him and asking him a few questions about his travels and his thoughts on American Samoa!

Tell me about yourself, where you’re from, what do you do?

I’m from Nebraska originally, but made a conscious effort to explore the world after growing up in the center of the United States. So have lived in Tennessee, Maine, Wisconsin, Canada, Switzerland, and Washington D.C. since graduating high school.

How did you find yourself in American Samoa?

I’m currently 22 months into a world record, 3-year journey making me the youngest person to visit all 417 U.S. National Park Service sites. The NP of American Samoa was park #293!

WHAT INSPIRED YOUR TRAVELS?

I lost my dad to cancer when I was 19. He was 58 at the time and it taught me a lesson about not having the time we think we’ll have to pursue our goals. I’ve taken 1 road trip a year ever since his passing, because he loved road trips.

HOW LONG DO YOU PLAN TO BE ON THE ROAD?

3-years to the day. I started on the 11th anniversary of my father’s passing, April 29, 2016, and will end the same day 2019.

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE IT’S IMPORTANT TO TRAVEL?

Our world is becoming increasingly polarized. With the internet and “fake news” allowing people to choose the lens they view the world through, travel is so important because it reminds us that when we think we are “right” and the “good people,” there are others around the world who do things completely different and are still great people who aren’t wrong for doing it that way. Travel helps us be more self-aware and less small-minded.

Describe yourself in 3 words

Dynamic, Ambitious, Ebullient

Describe your experience in 3 words

Exhausting, Life-Affirming, Challenging

What is your favorite spot in American Samoa?

The National Park beach on Ofu!

Favorite kind of music?

Anything you can dance to!

What’s your spirit animal?

I’m gonna go with a lion. When I was a kid and picked on in elementary school, I always fantasized about having a lion I could ride to/from school so none of the bullies would mess with me (and my lion)! 🙂

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Long term goals?

I hope to have my own travel show, sharing corners of the world in an attempt to help bring people together.

If you could give your 10 year old self a piece of advice, what would it be?

Figure out a way to go to a Performing Arts High School. It’s one of the things I regret I never got to do.

What’s one thing that you’ve learned from your time in American Samoa?

It is a very distinct, different culture than the mainland. But it’s part of America and should be celebrated and included more in our American awareness.

What is your life motto?

Life’s More Fun When You Talk to Strangers

Follow his journey:
Mikah’s Blog | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

Photos by Mikah. Edits by Nerelle.

Dive Log: Birthday Out West at Nua-Seetaga Bay

Mar 29, 2018 | Lifestyle

DATE: Saturday, 17 March 2018

DIVE SITE: Nua-Se’etaga, American Samoa

DIVE BUDDY: Ian M

SNORKELERS: Mark, Alice, and Eric

MAX DEPTH: 75 ft.

TIME: 70 minutes

START PSI: 2700
END PSI: 1000

NOTES: 11am medium-low tide. Kind of a long surface swim, and a little murky at first but cleared up nicely when we dropped down below 30 feet. Alice was on snorkel and free dove to point out sweet pinnacle formation. Swam through a little gap in coral. Got buzzed by a beautiful green turtle! Spotted a juvenile Humphead Wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus)! Swam back. Ian helped me swim back in through the riptide.

26th. Always Grateful.

Mar 18, 2018 | Lifestyle, Moments

Before today ends, I just want to share how incredibly grateful I am for these 26 years of living. From the sweet treats by my coworkers, to scuba diving a new site and getting buzzed by a turtle, hammocking on the beach with friends, listening to live music, getting gifted with pearls, a donation to my fave nonprofit, and the adventure fund, and a super rad Earth Day Everyday shirt from Ian (and designed by his talented coworker Valentine), all the back rubs and TLC from my main squeeze, ahhh and eating way too much good food… This weekend has been absolutely exceptional!

Plus, we officially booked our Puerto Rico leg of our May trip and got confirmation from our great friends that they’ll be meeting us there!! I’m thrilled for a new year of growth, learnings, and adventures!