Gramps and Dixie's Visit

We had a mid-semester break from Institute so Gramps and Dixie came for a visit. We had a wonderful time. We were very busy and saw too many things to post. We started the week by going to Sauniatu. It is a small village in the tops of the mountains where the saints gathered when they were being persecuted. When the Prophet David O. McKay visited, he prophesied that someday the country of Samoa would be covered with stakes and there would be a temple here. The village includes a school, a church building and housing for employees and senior missionaries. It is a breathtaking spot.

This is the waterfall and swimming area.

Gramps and Grandma Dixie above the waterfall.

Sua Trench is a beautiful spot on the backside of the island. This is a swimming hole that is filled with ocean water entering into it through an underwater cave. It is about a 40 foot climb down a ladder to the water.

On the way down to the swimming hole.

Papa climbing down the ladder. It looked scary to me!

The coast line at Sua Trench--a photographer's paradise! We may never get Matt out of here when they come to visit.

On the way home this day we stopped at a ward party at this beach, Lalomanu.

One day we went out to a resort on the west end of the island for dinner and to see the sunset. The tide was out and on the way we saw these pigs out in the ocean sand digging for and eating clams. It was very entertaining!


Gramps and Dixie at Le Vasa Resort.

We lucked out because there was a wedding at the resort that night, so we got to watch a Samoan show while we were there. This man is blowing a conch shell calling all of the guests to the wedding. I was amazed at the sound that came out of the shell.

These tatoos are traditional in Samoa, tell a story, and are indicative of their village status. They run from the waist down past the knees.

Sunset at Le Vasa.

Always the favorite of a Samoan show--the fire dancer. When he was finished he came and shook our hands. His hands were very, very hot!

On Easter morning, between Conference sessions, Sister Haleck prepared breakfast for all of the senior couples. She made "heaps" (as they say here in Samoa) of food. It was delicious!

On Monday morning we went to see Robert Louis Stevenson's home. Unfortunately, it was closed because it was a holiday. When a holiday (like Easter) falls on a Sunday, the next day, Monday, is a day off of work for EVERYONE! We were very disappointed that we didn't get to see inside. Papa used his best Samoan to talk the security guard into letting us look in every window.

All week, Gramps kept watching the power lines wondering where the generating plant was. We finally found it! He said it was interesting because it was a "delta" system--all Greek to me, but he got a big kick out of it.

We stopped briefly at Papase'ea, or sliding rock, to watch the kids play in the water.

It is quite a walk down and back up to the water. We had to rest a few times (and it wasn't just Gramps and Dixie who needed the rest!)

This was our last night together. We went out to dinner at a place called Sails right on the water. It was beautiful. We were so sad to say goodbye, but so grateful that they made the big trip across the ocean to see us!

And it is back to work!