Pago Pago, America Samoa

When we woke up this morning we were approaching  Pago Pago, America Samoa.   The weather was foggy and rainy.   We hailed a taxi and went to the other side of the island to Tisa’s Barefoot Beach Bar.  We had read about it on Trip Advisor and with it being such a small island, this was a highly recommended place to just chill.  We arrived early and were told that they were preparing a traditional Samoan feast.   We could smell the food cooking and smoke could be seen seeping out from under the banana leaves piled on the ground.   Today was Tisa’s  birthday!  She was a beautiful Samoan lady that looked much younger than her 67 years.  

Tisa

We had read that they collect college football memorabilia so we brought them an Alabama Roll Tide sign to hang.  We saw flags from Georgia and Florida, but nothing from Alabama!

Candy Man

Her bar was nestled between the road and the beach and you could have easily passed by without seeing it.   It had apparently survived many storms but only by being rebuilt with items that had washed up from the sea.  You could walk on the beach and see the many layers of decks that had once been part of Tisa’s. 

 

As expected, the food was fabulous.  It was served on banana leaves spread out on a wooden table and served family style.  They came around and put lots of food on our banana leaves and we were instructed to eat with our fingers.  Napkins were distributed after we finished.  We weren’t really sure what all we ate, but did recognize pork, plantains, and heard them mention bread fruit.  

 

While we were eating, the bartender, (Candy Man), ran out from behind the bar, grabbed a buoy and life ring and ran down to the beach.  He had noticed someone that had gotten caught in a rip tide and was struggling.  The winds and waves were really rough and he managed to make it to the swimmer and pull him in.  It happened to be one of the production staff members on the ship.   Before we left, the same bartender had to swim out and rescue a snorkeler that had also gotten pulled out to sea.   All in a day’s work!

Our taxi returned to pick us up and returned us to town.  A tour of the island would have been a waste of time with the weather we were having.   But we would love to return here one day.  It’s a paradise filled with very friendly people and we would definitely return to Tisa’s!