My second trip to American Samoa this year, so strap in for more tropical pics. During this trip I also went to the Manua Islands, about a 30 minute flight from the main island of American Samoa, Tutuila. I was visiting the Island of Ofu to look at a possible upcoming project. Ofu is connected to the island of Olosega by a short one lane bridge. Taʻū, another of the Manua islands, is a short distance away but that requires a separate flight from Tutuila, unless you know someone with a boat. Ofu is the most beautiful island I have ever visited. Part of the National Park of American Samoa is on this island, the rest of the park is on Tutuila. I believe this is the most remote National Park in the United States. There are about 50 people living on Ofu right now.
These were all shot on a Minolta Freedom Zoom 115 using Agfa Vista 100 expired 12/2007. I also shot some black and white film in another camera but it will be a while before I get home to develop it. I mailed the color film to a lab.
Until recently the runway doubled and the highway on Ofu. They have a new road that runs right along the runway but they still close the road on both ends of the runway to keep people from driving on the runway when the plane comes in. There are two flights per week. After you get off the plane you walk across the lawn to the lodge, it's the only place to stay on the island. No restaurants, you eat what they prepare at the lodge.
Ofu Airport by
Bryan Chernick, on Flickr
Climbed to the top of 1,600 foot tall Tumu mountain to take this shot. The islands are, from left to right, Ofu, Olosega and Taʻū (can just see part of it in the photo).
Ofu-Olosega by
Bryan Chernick, on Flickr
Nu'utele and Nu'usilaelae, small islands just off the Ofu beach.
Nu'utele and Nu'usilaelae by
Bryan Chernick, on Flickr
