American Samoa

Jan 29 -  Crossed the equator today.  Rainy but warm.  Tonight is formal with a Captains cocktail party prior to dinner.  Awards were given out to the top 3 most traveled guests on board.  The top prize went to a couple who have over 1700 days aboard Princess ships.

Food - has been very good with a wide variety of choices.   We have bananas,oranges, kiwi, papaya, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries to start each day before we get into the main course.  We then skip lunch.  Appetizers come out around 5 and then dinner at 7:30.  There's been lobster, a lot of shrimp, salmon and several other varieties of fish, chicken, lamb, veal and, of course, steak.

Entertainment - all the entertainers seem to perform 2 nights while on board - never the same show.  If you ever hear the name Tom Franek go see him.  He's a pianist and is quite amazing - among other things he can lie on the floor while playing.  The production shows have small casts compared to the bigger ships - 8 singers and dancers including the 2 stars.  All very talented.

Am. Samoa - Feb 1 -  day 13 of 94

A total of 6 islands (54 Sq.  miles - pop. 58k - located halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand - 4200 miles southwest of San Fran).

We land at the village of Pago Pago (pop 12k).  Language - English, Samoan.  Govt - US territory similar to Puerto Rico.  The islands are currently separated into AM Samoa and the independent kingdom of Samoa (in other words some of the islands have kings).  American Samoa citizens cannot vote in the US election.  In the waters are turtles and sharks.

Currency - U S  $.  Temp. -90 degrees minimum and humid.

We understand that Am. Samoa has all the bad habits of the US - Drugs, gangs, etc.