September 18, 2025

The Magnet Train, my friends & super packer!

My last comment on China is I traveled with a great group of quirky friends! We had a ton of laughs!


Above is our last leg on the Maglev or Magnet train heading to the airport at 187 mph, they actually had to slow down because people were getting nose bleeds, same with super fast elevators in high rises.


While traveling on such train, I found out that MaryAnn has bought so many Anime toys for her grandkids back in Canada, that her luggage was too full and she was wearing home her 10 tops and had her pajamas stuffed in her waist! I had her cosmetic bag in my luggage and another friend took her adaptors and electronics! Gotta love the dedication to family!


Also note, I also took a pair of shoes for Bosco.in my luggage.  I have become a super packer these days,  with room to spare for others!

PAGO PAGO, TUTUILA ISLAND, AMERICAN SAMOA

By Patricia Patrick • December 17, 2025
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.

NATIONAL PARK OF AMERICA SAMOA, TUTUILA ISLAND

By Patricia Patrick • December 17, 2025
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!

PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA

By Patricia Patrick • December 16, 2025
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!