The Pacific is a very large ocean, larger than all the rest combined so it took us almost four days of 18-knot sailing to reach our next port of call, Apia, Samoa on May 23.

The nation of Samoa, which consists of seven islands, was under German control until after World War I. The capital, Apia, on the island of Upola, was laid out and built by them. But once you drive out into the countryside the whole character of the island seems to change. There are still many of the open buildings (without walls)that were used by the Polynesians as tribal dwellings. There are also newer buildings with walls. Polynesians are a communal people and generally live together in tribal groups and carry out most activities in the communal buildings.

We decided to take a tour of the Upola countryside driving through a number of coastal villages with a final stop at a tropical garden. Our guide told us a lot about Samoa not much of it very good. Three-quarters of Samoa’s population lives in Apia and half of them don’t have jobs . She said that the government was really trying to lure some industry to the islands but so far to no avail.

The houses in the countryside, with a few exceptions, are in need of paint and repairs. There were lots of dogs running around that are sort-of pets — they run wild except when they come home to be fed. The countryside itself is lush, very green with beautiful flowers and the graceful palm trees you expect in the south seas.

One of our most picturesque stops was at a surfing spot along the coastal road. There was a ramp with a very inventive selection of beer bottles set in the concrete. There also was a house where they sold snacks, lots of color.

We stopped at Falefa falls with lots of flowers but what was most interesting were the Samoans walking along the road.

Our last stop was Gina’s Tropical Gardens where they grow coconuts, breadfruit, mangoes, papaya and beautiful flowers. There we got to sample the fruit and saw demonstrations of breadfruit preparation, using coconut to give it flavor. One of the men at the gardens cut some coconut fronds and wove the leaves into a plate, a basket and a hat, all in less than five minutes.

We then drove back through Apia and back to the ship.