Happy New Year 2018

This has been "summer break" during December and January (unlike the cold and snow at home).  It is also the warm, rainy season but surprisingly it has been more dry than wet.  We did have a nice late afternoon rain one day this week and Ron captured this beautiful double rainbow:

Also this week was the supermoon.  We were on the campus rugby field and beheld these magnificent evening views of the moon and the ocean in the distance:

Supermoon

MISSIONARY VISIT

We met a senior missionary couple new to our mission; they are from Canada.  They work in the welfare & humanitarian office.  Their calling requires them to occasionally come to Savaii and we were able to visit the waterfalls and blowholes with them.  Elder Schwenke from Australia also accompanied them.

Elder Cameron, Karla, Elder Schwenke

Elder & Sister Cameron

Fun to watch these young men diving in.

MT. MATAVANU CRATER

We did venture back to the Mt. Matavanu crater with Elder & Sister Deffense.  Mount Matavanu elevation is about 2700 feet.  Being directed on the intended trail this time was much easier and we reached the rim.  You can look down 600 feet but the depth perception is not as striking given that the interior is covered in jungle.  Awesome view though!

Elder & Sister Deffense

Us

Looking across the crater

Lava bombs-some are covered in jungle growth.

   

These are solid lava rocks, not porous.

DWARF CAVES

Our really fun adventure this week was to the Dwarf Caves, a long lava tube.  We were invited by the full-time young Elders to go with them to the caves on Wednesday, their P-Day (preparation day).  Unless one knows about the caves, the opening is obscure.  Once inside it opened up wide and spacious.  It was so cool to behold the walls, ledges, plant roots hanging from the ceiling, the stream, etc.  We walked on flowstone which is more smooth than the porous rocks.  The lava tube goes a long way but they take guests only as far as the third pool.  We descended cautiously into the first pool, waded across, and continued to the second pool of clear, cool water.  The descent was easier although the water was much deeper.  At the third pool only Elder & Sister Deffense went into the water which was quite shallow.  Of course, all this is in the dark at the mercy of flashlights.  The tube goes a long way but we were never given a direct answer as to how far.  On the return, the ascent out of the first pool was challenging but we seniors managed it.  (The young missionaries have the advantage of youth!)  I managed to lose my footing in one pool and was submerged in two feet of water--makes the adventure that much more memorable.  

We had a tailgate lunch before entering the cave and ate Sister Deffense' yummy brownies when we came out.  Perfect day!



SAMOA CLOUDS continue to awe and inspire us with their color and majesty:

CAMPUS has been bustling with activity in preparation of the start of school on January 29th.  The access road has been upgraded, boys dorm showers gutted and refurbished, room repairs, painting, etc.  The school calendar is in place and we excited for a new year ahead.