During our transit after Pago Pago, we crossed the International Date Line. We missed Jan 31, 2024 and docked at Apia in Samoa on Feb 1, 2024. Samoa is officially the Independent State of Samoa, and until 1997 was known as Western Samoa. It is an island country consisting of two main islands, two smaller inhabited islands, and four smaller uninhabited islands. Its population is approximately 200,000 people. Together Samoa and American Samoa comprise Samosa’s, which is considered to be the heart of Polynesia. It was from these islands that early Polynesians sailed to populate other Pacific islands, possibly even as far north as Hawaii.

We took an excursion in Apia that took us through the town where we had the chance to visit the Immaculate Conception of Mary Catholic Cathedral. It was a very large and impressive church that contained many Samoan traits, notably the wooden ceiling, and painting on the dome.

All of the Samoan islands are deeply Christian. All businesses are officially closed on Sunday as it is considered a day of rest, and the local people stay home with their families to rest and enjoy the day.

We also visited a local market where people sell handcrafted items and food grown in their gardens. For many it is their primary source of income. The local people also use food grown in their gardens or in their yards (coconuts, bananas, breadfruit, and taro) and fish to prepare their daily meals.

After the local market, we visited a museum which was formerly the house of Robert Lewis Stevenson, who spent his last years in Samoa, and were entertained by local dancers.