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Place That I’d Like To Visit #11


Pago Pago, American Samoa

My wife has been hassling me to do a new place that I’d like to visit, so here we go. The capital of American Samoa, Pago Pago is a village located on the island of Tutuila. And yet another town where the harbour is surrounded by impressive cliffs for my list (I can’t help myself, I know).

Unlike Western Samoa, American Samoa appears to have limited tourist infrastructure catering mostly to businessmen, locals visiting from abroad and the occasional eco-tourist enthusiast seeking out the rainforests and archaeological sites. Thus, visiting offers a challenge and an opportunity.

The deep water harbour itself is a collapsed volcanic crater, and the town of Pago Pago holds less than 4000 residents, a couple of banks, some shops, restaurants, a museum with a collection of ancient Samoan artefacts and a few government departments, oh and there is the yacht club at Utulei.

Outside of town, you’ve got your tropical rainforest, fine beaches, swimming and snorkelling, as well as a few bars.

Apparently there is also quicksand on Tutuila, so that would something to amuse Henry, and porpoise or sea turtles lurk all around the island. Terribly inappropriate as well, but part of my interest is the Crash Bandicoot vibe that amuses me, I reckon that I could cope with jumping a few crates of nitro just to eat a few whoompa fruit.

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