Talofa from Savai'i, Samoa's Big Island

Hello from Savai'i!  Our group said "See Ya Soon" to our host families on Saturday and took the ferry to the largest Samoan island of Savai'i for 4 days & 3 nights. What a beautiful place! We think the hour long ferry ride across the channel may have delivered us into paradise. 

Leaving the wharf on the ferry for ride to Savai'i

Warren, Jake, and Stacey, 3 of our 5 leaders, in one of our group's fales in the village of Manase

We have precious few days remaining in Samoa and we are grateful to spend them with our Samoan host siblings in such an awesome place along the northern coast of the island. After arriving on Saturday evening we relaxed and enjoyed our beach accommodations. We woke up Sunday with cool rainy weather, a perfect day for no agenda or program - simply a day to rest. Late in the afternoon our group visited a sea turtle sanctuary and a lava field. 

The ocean view from our beach fale 

Sunday night we were treated to one of the most beautiful evening skies we could imagine - a colorful sunset in the west and a full rainbow in the east. Amazing!!

Today - Monday - we are enjoying a full-day island tour with stops at several historical & scenic locations on this island that holds great significance for not only Samoa but for all of Polynesia. We will also be treated to the Fiafia tonight - a dinner with a huge traditional Samoan performance - including fire dancers.  I'll post more pics when we return for our final night in Manase Monday night, return by ferry to Upolu island on Tursday, make a final visit to the villages, then to the airport tomorrow night!!

Skyler, Lopa, Tara, Warren, Stacey & Morgan enjoying the beach at sunset.

Thanks to Andrea Letava Taumuafa Schuster for co-authoring this post!!