Saturday Activities and Senior Missionary Outings

Saturday Activities and Senior Missionary Outings 

During the week we work with teachers, students, order equipment, and are setting up a new accreditation for the vocational area.  We refer to our Saturdays as our 'Cultural Days' rather than our Preparation Days.   We get the opportunity to visiting some the the beautiful places here in Samoa and spend some time with other Senior Missionaries for outings.  Here are a few of our past outings.  

Manono Island 

Between the island of Upolu and Savaii, there is a small island called Manono.  They have drilled wells and can not get fresh water.  All the water comes from collection systems from the rain.  You can walk the entire perimeter of the island in about 2 hours.  There are people living on the island and have several villages.  

Getting to the island 

The only way to get to the island is by private boat 

You charter a boat with a local boat owner

On the island

Children in a hammock made of a fishing net

There are about 6 churches on the island

There are falles or gathering houses around the island 

Outrigger canoe

Beautiful views 

Water retaining systems

Water is collected from the roofs and stored in large holders.   Note the blue lettering on the tank. "LDS Charities".  The Humanitarian Missionaries have donated and installed many water tanks on the island.  (A long with other groups from Australian Aid)   

Interesting to see a LDS Charity tank on a Catholic church.

LDS Humanitarian logo on water tanks 

Negotiating our way back

The walk around the island took longer than we expected.  We were over an hour late.  The boat operator was a little unhappy and gave us an extra charge.  

Senior Outings

We usually get together with other Senior Missionaries about every other week for some type of outing, fireside, or dinner.  It is a lot of fun getting to know other missionaries that we don't work with.  We have missionaries in the following areas - Pesega School, Dentist, Auditors, Humanitarian, Self Reliance, Family Services, Institute, Nurse, Office, and MLS (Member Leadership)

Return to Paradise

One of  our favorite places in the Return to Paradise Resort.  You can pay a fee for a lunch voucher and you can take advantages of the other resort facilities.  

Resort swimming pool  

Lots of hanging out. 

Lunch after snorkeling 

Beautiful snorkeling beach

 

 

Matereva Resort 

Our Dentist Missionary Couple, the Spencers from Canada, wanted to go to Matereva Resort for their last beach activity before returning home.  

Great snorkeling beach with some of the missionaries. 

Ma Tree Hike

There is a large tree with an interesting root system.   We hiked up to the tree.  However, on the way up there was a down pore of rain.  

Starting out on the hike before the rain. 

On the beautiful hike

Interesting root systems on the Ma Tree 

Soaked missionaries at the Ma Tree.  

Snorkeling at low tide

In Samoa you need to check the tide tables when to go snorkeling.  Most beaches it is better to snorkel at high tide or around that time.  Otherwise you run into coral.  This Saturday we hit his at low tide and spent more time walking out to the snorkel area rather than swimming.  There was still fish to see and a lot of fun. 

Note the rocks in the water because of low tide.

Missionaries hanging out after snorkeling 

Stealing sand

The beach is actually on church property where there is a Stake Center across the street.    Some guys got the permission from the Village Chief to remove the sand but did not check with the church.  It is interesting how much power the Village Chiefs have. 

Guys stealing sand off the beach

There was a question of who to get permission from to remove the sand.