A Map of North Minerva Reef (Source: Google Earth): “The Minerva Reefs (Tongan: Ongo Teleki) are a group of two submerged atolls located in the Pacific Ocean between Fiji, Niue and Tonga. The islands are the subject of a territorial dispute between Fiji and Tonga, and in addition were briefly claimed by American Libertarians as the centre of a micronation, the Republic of Minerva.” Source: Wikipedia)

(October 20 to November 10, 2023, Total 21 minus1 Days at Sea) We checked out American Samoa on the 19th.

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White Sunday (2nd Sunday in October) Performance in a Local Church. Following Monday (In US, it is the Columbus Day) is a holiday. Tutuila Island, American Samoa

(September 8 to October 20, 2023) With the exception of the poor holding (when strong winds like 43 knots) in the Pago Pago Anchorage, American Samoa has to be the friendliest island we have been on and the happiest people we have ever met. If you smile at them, they immediately smile back. It is not like any other place we have been.

Plus a hospital (US Standard Facility) visit through the Emergency room was $20.00.

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Flag of American Samoa

In the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, American Samoa is the only US Territory south of the equator. Pago Pago port is a strategic location and well-protected harbor. American Samoa is located approximately 2,600 miles (about 4,150 km) from Hawaii, which is equivalent to the distance from New York to San Francisco by air travel.

We are here in American Samoa to prepare for our cat’s import documentation for our upcoming voyage to New Zealand. Additionally, there is a US Post Office in Pago Pago, making it easy to send mail from the States.

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Dashboard Decoration in a Local Bus, American Samoa. I love taking buses in American Samoa.

(August 30 – September 8, 2023) This trip marks our fourth-longest sailing voyage, covering approximately 1,200 nautical miles. We didn’t stop at the Suwarrow Atoll (Cook Islands) and sailed directly from Bora Bora to Pago Pago. John wanted to have sufficient time to get his shipping from the States. American Samoa has a US Postal Office and US Federal Government Offices.

We departed Bora Bora under a full moon but arrived with less than a quarter moon. We made a good speed for the first two days.

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Motu (Flat Land) on the East Side of Bora Bora Island (Non-Flat Land), Society Archipelago, French Polynesia

(August 17 to 30, 2023) Our 90-day French Polynesia visa just ended. We picked up our departure documents and had our passports exit-stamped at the Bora Bora Office of Gendarmerie (French Polynesia Law Enforcement). Our next destination is Pago Pago, American Samoa. En route, we plan to stop by Suwarrow Atoll of Cook Islands, if permitted.

Bora Bora Island is a dream destination for many. We visited here mainly because of its fame and its location along our route to American Samoa.

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Fish in Knee-Deep Water, Coral Gardens, Tahaa Island, the Society Archipelago, French Polynesia

(August 2 to 17, 2023) The main tourism hub in French Polynesia is the Society Island Group. It includes Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa, Maupiti, and other small western islands of Tahiti. It is also called Leewards Islands. These islands are easily accessible by ferry service which is fast, convenient, frequent, and punctual. Visiting some of these islands, I finally understand why French Polynesia is one of the dream destinations in the world. The weather is beautiful, the ocean water is a clear turquoise blue,

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Outdoor Event, Tahiti Island, French Polynesia

(July 11 to August 2, 2023) As we were getting out of the south pass of Fakarava Atoll, we faced strong winds of 20-30 knots and waves reaching 6-12 feet, making it an uncomfortable sailing for me. We set up the downwind pole and sailed at an average 6.5 knots to Point Venus, north of Tahiti Island. It took us 39 hours to cover the total distance of 252 nautical miles. Our plan was to arrive at sunrise, but we ended up reaching our destination at midnight. The sky was clear with sparkling stars,

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View from Hiking Trail to Waterfall from Daniel’s Bay, Nuku Hiva, Marquesas, French Polynesia

(May 27 to June 19, 2023) French Polynesia (islands and water) is about the size of Europe. There are five major groups of Islands in French Polynesia: the Tuamotu, Society (including Tahiti and Bora Bora Islands), Austral, Gambier Archipelagos, and the Marquesas to which Nuku Hiva Island belongs.

As we checked in the Port Authority in Taiohae Bay in Nuku Hiva, I asked a local, how many boats cross the Pacific departing from the Americas (North, Central, and South). He estimates about 450 to 500 boats yearly.

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