November 1, 2025
A lot of people went to dinner in costume, but the full party started after at 8:30 pm with fun and games first, then the dance floor opened outside. I hand sewed our Pebbles & BamBam costumes.
There was a custume parade at 10pm before our 5 judges, who deliberations to get to the finalist - Bosco and I made it to the final 6! Then crowd applause determined the grand prize winner! Resident Barbara, from The Villages in Florida was victorious and deservingly so for her creativity!
Thiere were lots OF other creative ideas, made with limited ship resources! Here's some of my favorites!
View more
This year Robert Vong, our largest shareholder and resident fashion plate, was the one most imitated, especially since he allowed several residents access to his closet and accessories. Here's some of them and a videos of outside dance party ( by resident Magda)
The tour today was focused on the National Park but we also got a lot of insight into American Samoa's history and current day life. Our guide was Nini and she is a college student studying accounting and finance and works as a part-time guide.
Today we took the National Park of American Samoa Tour. It's a unique park - the only one south of the equator and where the U.S. Government doesn't own the land. Efforts to establish the Park go back to mid 1980 over concern about the decline of fruit bats and wanting to protect the tropical rainforests. On October 31, 1988 Congress established the NP of American Samoa. In 1993, a complex arrangement for a 50 year land lease years with seven villages and the Samoa government was signed. We got lucky with our tour - we were expecting an open air bus, but because we were a small group, we got a plush air conditioned van!
This is an usual day, it's our second December 15th! We crossed the international date line last night around midnight and therefore we get to live December 15th, twice in 2 different locations. Freaky Monday! We also lose our 18 hour time difference of being ahead of the east coast of the USA, and will now be behind them in time. Time zones drive me crazy on this trip - trying to coordinate with the folks at home and keeping a relevant calendar!