Talofa,

Thank you for all your comments. I really appreciate every message, and will reply by email.

Captain Paul and his Partner get back sometime this afternoon from New Zealand. Its been lashing down with rain here but at least its tropical rain not cold English rain.

I finished all the deck and interior cleaning. The boat seems to be Ship shape, Its time to go now i feel so its good that we are going soon.

We are leaving for Tahiti either tomorrow or New Years day! Its going to be the longest continuous trip at sea without sight of land i have ever done - 9-10 days none stop. One thousand two hundred and eighty miles! Then a further 8 days to Mangareva which is another eight hundred miles.

I will update this blog by Satellite phone messaging every 3 -5 days. I will next update with photos when it is next possible. Hopefully in Tahiti and probably on Pitcairn island.

Thank you for becoming a follower, if your not please join in!

Faa a faa tai Tofa,

Felix

Marlo,

I have had an eventful few days. I sorted out much of the other days problems though the fridge is still not 100%. The freezer however is okay. I had a problem with electricity and it turned out to be a faulty cable, but i have had that replaced.

Yesterday the swell increased within the Marina. I put in place extra ropes to help deal with the strain on the ropes. I am glad i did as the some of the older ropes broke and also some of the new ropes broke too. A total of four or five broke. It was a stressful run between areas of the boat checking on which ropes were about to go and how to fix it. As time went on i had less ropes to work with and also the ropes i have been using are not strong enough to hold the weight of the boat.

I patiently and persistently demanded some kind of assistance from the Port Authority and eventually i was given some help. several men including a wharf Pilot assisted me in giving me temporary ropes and attempting to release the anchor for extra stability within the marina.

This morning i was aided by the Port Authority's Harbor Master who sorted out 5 huge ropes to be used on the Port bow, Starboard bow and Port Stern and Starboard Stern of the boat. Also a rope from the bowsprit to a mooring post. This should help with the worsening swell expected to rise tomorrow.

All i can do is work hard to keep things in place, The sooner we leave for Tahiti the better. Captain Paul will be back Wednesday.

Faa Faa tai Faa Saa Fu a,

Felix

Talofa everybody,

I hope you like the new photos, I have some of me that i will upload but i kneed to rotate them and i am not too sure how to do that as i am unfamiliar with the Internet cafes computers.

Again thank you for your comments, All very much appreciated.

I went to the other island of Savaii. I am so glad i did go for it was stunning! It was a spontaneous visit. I just caught a bus to the port of Mulafanua in western Upolu and then i caught one of the ferries to Salelologa Savaii. Then i caught a bus up to the North of the island wear apparently the best beaches are and i would agree they are stunning, great swimming. I stayed in a beach fale for about 12 pounds a night including dinner and breakfast! Great food, I would go back there.

I met a few American teachers on holiday from there placements in American Samoa and the Mamua islands. Arranged and paid by World teach, check that out Hugo. One of them was Zach from New York and he had worked in the Marshall islands previously.

I took a bus down to the south of the island and went to some amazing falls - Olemoe Falls. A waterfall with a deep natural swimming pool - Stereotypical paradise! I stayed at a backpackers inn in Salelologa and then returned on Wednesday.

I would stay longer on Savaii but Captain Paul called and said he will be back as soon after Christmas day as possible. He said we will stop off in the Northern Cook islands and probably Rarotonga on route to Tahiti.

Have had nightmare boat difficulty's to sort out. Refrigerator broken, but have had a mechanic looking at it today. Also fresh water pump not working like it should. And its humid.

We should leave for Tahiti early next week.

FaaFaatai tofa,

Felix

Marlo,

Thank you for your comments, I read them all and appreciate them. If you want to add a comment but are having trouble it is likely your not a Blog spot member, to join just register its free and safe.

I spent Saturday getting things done here in Apia on the boat. I cleaned some Diesel stained carpets and also the stern of the boat, Boring marine stuff, Replenishing and maintenance etc...

I am on top of things on the boat and know how to live on board. I am going to go to the other island of Savaii tomorrow morning until Wednesday. I will use Christmas eve to boxing day to scrub the deck and clean the interior wooden floors and sides etc...Dot the i's and cross the T's etc...

I went to the meeting this morning and was invited to go to Brother Tanna's house for lunch, He is one of 23 children and yes the same parents! We ate a big meal of chicken and baked bananas with his wife and young daughter. I am used to the Samoan Cuisine but had to force myself to eat as i can not eat much in this heat.

I spent the afternoon with some other Samoan Friends from the congregation I have made and have certainly made an impression here. Its lovely to have Friends here i can come back and visit.

I took some amazing photos of the boat etc... the other evening, I will upload them this week. I should have some more interesting photos by then too.

FaaFaa tai Mollay Lepu, (thank you and goodnight)

Felix

Marlo,

Thank you for all your comments, I really appreciate them. I like to be updated etc...and look forward to telling you everything when i am home.

It is very hot and intensely humid. It has not rained since Friday and that is not a good sign out here. When there is long hot dry spells people talk. But we should get some rain soon. We will see.

The last 0f the scientists left the boat today Glen and Claire. They are really nice they insisted i come and stay with them in there place in Whungarie when i am in New Zealand. I can go pig hunting with glen and his nine dogs they said. They have just been living on an island in the Pheonix group for 2 weeks all alone. They had some stories.

My captain - Paul leaves for New Zealand tomorrow probably. He is looking forward to seeing his family partner but mostly his mother and pet Parrot.

We have been doing engine stuff, draining oil and mending things etc... I will be living on the boat while he is away, and might go to Savaii the other island but have work to do while he is away, cleaning and mending and painting. He is quite laid back really. A totally different atmosphere to last time.

When Paul is back from New Zealand he will have his partner Chrissy. We will refuel, top up with water etc... and leave for Tahiti. Tahiti is 1400 miles from Samoa and will take 9-10 days. Then after refueling we sail to Mangareva and that's a further 800 miles south east which will be around 8 days at sea. On the 19Th the first 2 week expedition beguines followed by a quick turn around with a three week one after. It is going to be tough. It can be tough here in dock but this is a trip that many sailors do not like so its going to be hard.

The icing on the cake is we have a Vegan passenger on the second Pitcairn island expedition.

faafaa tai lava Talofa,

Felix

Marlo (informal Hi)

Thank you for your comments, I will try and upload a map of wear i am but if you look on Google Earth you can search Samoa etc...and find wear in the world i am.

I joined the SV Southern Cross Saturday. I met Graham Wragg the owner and leader of Pacific Expeditions, The captain Paul Green and also Claire a conservationist, Glen another type of Bio-diversity conservationist, Tom the deckhand i am replacing, Ray the joint (with Graham) leading Ornithologist Scientist and Jullian who was making a documentary on there trip in exchange for passage to Pitcairn from Mangareva in late January. Apart from Jullien they are all Kiwis. Jullien is a Pommy how we are called over here.

The trip that the scientists have just completed has been rat and Ferrel cat elimination in the Pheonix islands. South East East of Tarawa, Kiribati. The islands are uninhabited following the collapse in a Copra plantation not nuclear testing! The rats and Ferrel Cats threaten bird populations on the islands.

The boat is in good condition, we have been anchored in the Harbor but moved into the harbor this morning. The skiff (tender) is a RIB with an 18 hoarse power engine. Quite fun but you have to be careful.

I am respected and given shore leave etc... Pacific expeditions paid for my dinner out the other night and food etc... is paid for on board. Captain Paul has been fare so far and always offers me beer etc and food...and answers my questions but i always try to use my common sense. He told me he is Dyslexic which is a great help in understanding each other. He doesn't smoke so that helps the on board environment.

I am really learning as i have made it clear i want this sea time counted as i want to get qualified. I kneed to get my Yacht master international ticket too to be a skipper but the experience is important but i will see as time go's on what i want etc...

We are replenishing the ship, cleaning etc...and will set sail for Tahiti late December. Most the passengers have left now and flown back to New Zealand and Australia. Graham has flown back to Rarotonga. Paul is going too this week for a holiday. So i will be left with the boat. Just learning everything so i can get by and sort things out.

Will write again soon

Cheers,

Felix

Talofa Everybody,

If anyone does not like comments to be read by everyone please email me privately at felixdriver@hotmail.com

I am having a really good time. Although i have not gone to Savaii the other island as its not worth it as now i join the boat Saturday. I have made Friends here on Upolu and a couple in the congregation said next time i return to Samoa i can stay with them, They hope i return soon. So that's nice.

I have been to different parts of the island, I feel i have really soaked up different parts of the culture here. The language is very different, But i can get by to some extent.

People are very direct here, when they meet you they ask are you married, Do you have children? etc...They are trying to learn of your Status. Your not an Adult and respected elder here until your married. That's why its not uncommon to find 16 to 17 year old married, well one of the reasons anyway. Often they will ask are you here for Samoan women?

I am going to explore a little today. I plan on going to Manono island tomorrow or Paradise beach. You can not do it all. I am not overdoing it though as i join the boat very soon and that's hard work, So i kneed some rest

I will be in touch before i join the boat. If anyone needs to contact me at sea please email me and i will give you the satellite phone email address. but email me by Friday 11Th.

I will upload some more photos and promise to upload some more of ME very soon

Fafaa tai tofa

Felix

I went to a place called Sliding rocks at a local river yesterday afternoon. Great fun, but i didn't do the crazy ones as i don't want to get hurt before this trip.

had my Birkenstock sandals stolen yesterday and put my hand into a ceiling fan not a good move, hand cut but not broken. I am fine, learned the hard way not to put hands in the air especially if your tall!

I Went to some under water swimming caves today. There was a cave with an underwater tunnel. If you dive down you could see the light (from an adjoining cave) and swim through to another cave. The cave ceiling low but you have to make it and swim through or......

Scary but amazing.

NEWS: I JOIN THE BOAT SATURDAY 12TH. JUST HAD SATELLITE EMAIL CONFIRMATION

Faafaatai Talofa

Felix

Felix

Have met some realy interesting people, I kneed to find out how to reduce photos down ect...as have more snaps i want to upload but wrong way round ect...will sort it out.

Hope you all like these photos, I will update with more next week.

FaaFaatai Tofa

Felix

Talofa,

I went to the meating Tuesday night and how friendly they all were.

I went with a couple preaching on the south east of the island. There i met a brother that was in the year book. It was a really nice cultural experience, and being with them i saw tribal villiages that most tourists don't see for there are wild dogs and local fees to pay for entering peoples land usually.

Everything is different here and it is so hot and humid, i bought a hand woven fan off a street kid. I stand out as I am tall and white, some of the children in the villages really stare. People live off the land here, its amazing as people do not have the pressures of work here, they grow there own food and go fishing too. Taro, Breadfruit, Papaya and coconut is popular, most families have a few pigs too and chickens. i met one family who are studying and they have moved to another part of southern eastern Upolu (oopoloo) as there home was completely destroyed. There daughter valiala was a little injured on her leg, there 6 sons are well.

I may visit Savii (Savahee) but i don't want to miss the boat. I join the boat around the 15Th of this month. Locals know of the Sv Southern Cross.

Thank you for your Comments, i read them all. I will upload some more photos but until then, look on my face book page,

FaaFa Tai Tofa (thank you good by)

Felix

I finally arrived in Apia, Upolu. After 15 hours air time and numerous airport complications.

Last night a Samoan couple invited me and 2 girls from the hostel out dancing, we ended up playing pool and the respected elder of the pub gathering liked me and kept buying in the beers, watch your back here. I am glad i made Friends but you never know if someone wants something from you, popular in Samoan culture.

Cheery hot and humid Samoa. People here are very friendly, especially the women except many are curious and reserved particularly the older men. I am a little more culture shocked, but settling in. Peopple do stare though. We are called Palangii which means people of the clouds because our skin colour is white.

Internet is slow and expensive, I am off to the fruit market now. Wild unruly dogs lurk round the streets so if your walking any distance its best to carry a stick or a hand full of stones. Savii the other main island to the west has no dogs. they form a pack formation at night so i am very careful.

Tofa (good by)