Last port before Auckland: Apia

Quote of the Day: “Our marriage was a good partnership. Once he was man enough to admit that a woman could have brains.”

Two days ago I went down with the ship’s bug, dammit. Cough, cold, sore throat, generally feeling like sh*t… much like manflu really. So the thought of going ashore in the heat and humidity of Apia did nothing for me at all. After breakfast, I collapsed back into bed, and mentally wrote the day off.

Surprisingly, I woke a couple of hours later feeling much better. Thank you Uncle Lemsip… Too late to link up with anyone else, I set off by myself for a look around. I had noted a coffee shop advertising that they did good quality coffee, so vaguely headed in their direction. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find it – something to do with no street signs. Finally ended up at the main market, where there was a farewell underway for the Samoan rugby team heading for the World Cup. Big affair, complete with Police Brass Band, and team parade. Go Samoa!

People here are very friendly, and I ended up chatting with a couple of locals. One had spent time working in Christchurch and Auckland, as well as spending some time in the States. Gave me a lecture about lazy Samoans living overseas! Oh well…

On the way back I found a large number of people from the ship holed up in Aggie Gray’s, famous restaurant and bar. Always strikes me as a little odd that you would arrive in a foreign port, only to head for a bar, and sit there for hours drinking with people you’re on the ship with…

I found a lovely little park across the road, on the edge of the harbour, where I parked myself under a palm tree. A couple of locals plucked up enough courage to come over and talk to the strange white guy sitting by himself, and we had a good old chat. Turns out they were barmen from Aggie Gray’s, who were just chilling until it was time to start work. Kind of ironic I thought… One said he could never go and work in New Zealand, even though his brother was there – he’d be too frightened! Puts a different perspective on things, doesn’t it?

Lovely sail away, then a sudden 180, and we were heading back to Apia. The captain announced that there was a medical emergency on board, and a lady had to be taken off via the pilot boat, and taken to hospital. This afternoon he announced that she was doing ok, so that was a relief all round. Just as well we were only 30 minutes from port.