Modes Of Transportation

There are a lot of interesting modes of transportation in Samoa.

Buses are very common.

 When we went to Pago, we saw all sorts of these cute little buses...

Painted in a variety of colors.

 We've only seen the little ones on Tutuila (American Samoa).  Not on Upolu or Savaii.

The buses On Upolu are much larger.

But still very colorful!

With fun stuff to read!

Not only on the sides...

But the fronts and backs as well!

Since they started driving on the other side of the road, they have had to be resourceful in creating new doors for entry.

And they have to be tough enough to make it through the flooded streets that occur during rainy season.

This bus picks up a load of ward members each week before and after church.

We came upon this bus one day when we went for a drive.  We could see there was something on the back, so we caught up with it for a closer view.  You'll never guess what we saw!

             Yes.  It's a dead cow.  

With a hand waving away the flies. 

Only in Samoa!

Another mode of transportation is by boat.

 We asked a native Samoan what they called this long boat.  She carefully pronouced it for us... "ka-nu"

They really are quite long!

What a gorgeous view!

This is a double canoe of sorts.  Way cool.

Here's a closer look at the canoe.

And another boat.  We took a picture of a cruise ship, but I can't seem to find it.

This is the license plate in American Samoa.  I think I like the Samoan plates even better, although I don't have a picture of one.  They say "Pearl of the Pacific" 

I'm not sure you could get too far in this vehicle...\

...or in these!  Especially the one in the middle.

The young missionaries drive a fleet of vans.

This is what the old ones looked like.

They were recently replaced with this taller model.  More comfortable, but a little harder to navigate.  We had lots of scrapes and scratches the first few weeks after they arrived.

There are also  service vehicles in Samoa.

 

Last, but certainly not least, is Henry 

He has served us faithfully as Elder Merrell and I have served our mission.  We have shared him with the Kellys, the Curries and the Hansons.  We will miss Henry when we leave.