I Found My Heart in FIJI

As I've mentioned in a previous blog, these next three posts will be dedicated to my travels after Peace Corps service, which took place in December 2014 (I know, I know... I'm a day late and a dollar short!).

Instead of going into detail, my posts will be photos with captions, steering away from long writing. I am choosing this route because my trips took place several months ago; therefore, not all details are fresh in my mind. Additionally, all the countries I've visited are so gorgeous that I'd rather fill my blog with photos than text. So without further ado, enjoy photos from my #1 travel destination... FIJI!

Note: When I add captions to each photo, the link to enlarge it gets deleted, therefore I've added descriptions beneath each row of photos.

Photo 1: I've dreamt about that moment for a very long time! Tofa, soifua, Samoa!

Photo 2: Hello, Fiji!

Photo 3: First stop: Hard Rock Cafe for mac & cheese and nachos!

Photo 1: Off to Mamanuca Islands, west of the main island Viti Levu.

Photo 2:  After dreaming about Fiji for years, I couldn't believe I was living my dream!

Photo 3: This blew my mind! These are boat taxis, where resorts from every island pick up their guests from the ferry, in the middle of the ocean... ON TIME! This would never fly in Samoa.

Photo 1: Funky Fish Resort, Malolo Island. A nice environment, with free welcoming drinks and free WiFi!

Photo 2: We had a private room in this dorm hall. We were quite excited by the showers... hot water!

Photo 3: Lovely ocean views

Photo 1: It's 5 o'clock somewhere.

Photo 2: Off to Cloud 9.

Photo 3: If you're ever in Fiji, you must go to Cloud 9! It is purely amazing!

Photo 1: This party boat is in the middle of the ocean, has free WiFi, AND pizza!

Photo 2: That entire pizza was mine!

Photo 3: A lot of room to sit and lounge around.


Photo 1: It's kava time! About the same strength as Samoan ava.

Photo 2: I was the spokeswoman of the kava ceremony and demanded several rounds of kava... "Taki!"

Photo 3: Midway through the trip, we island hopped to Beachcomber Island (known as a party island). This island would change my life forever! (More on this in future posts)

Photo 1: We stayed in a giant dorm.

Photo 2: Great food, with buffet-style setup.

Photo 3:  I had a great time with Mille, Michelle, and these ladies! Two are Aussie and one is Canadian.

Photo 1: ...and with this group!

Photo 3: A perfect shot of me pointing at a school of flying fish! The white line across the water are the fish!

Photo 2: Drinking Fiji water in Fiji.

Photo 3: With our new friend Asha.

Photo 1: Cultural night.

Photo 2: Fire dancing on the beach.

Photo 3: Goodbye, Beachcomber Island! Next stop, Suva, the capital of Fiji.

Photo 1: Our "VIP" bus. VIP because it had air con haha.

Photo 2: Suva

Photo 3: Samoa wins the cool bus competition.

Photo 1: Millie and I spent our last night together. Michelle stayed in Nadi. Unfortunately, Millie was a victim of pickpocketing. Luckily her passport wasn't with her, but she did loose cash, credit cards, and her camera that had all her photos from Samoa... A sad situation!

Photo 2: We took a stroll through the market... Mango Heaven!

Photo 3: Taro. Something I can live the rest of my life without ever eating again! Two years worth was more than enough.

Photo 1: It's incredible to see the sun hit the horizon and then disappear.

Photo 2: A zoom-in of the previous sunset photo. Beyond beautiful!

While Fiji has officially been checked-off my list, I will be back one day!

Two Years of Samoa in a 10 Minute Video

Since this blog is still getting quite a bit of traffic, I thought I’d share a video I made documenting my Peace Corps service. I started making the video while in Samoa, and had plans to finish it once I was home. Unfortunately, my MacBook died, delaying the finished piece.

Also, this blog will be retired soon, but I’ll leave it active since it has useful information for prospective PCVs and Peace Corps Samoa invitees. Before it reaches retirement, I have a few posts to write. I had promised my readers updates of my travels. I’ll get those posts and photos up soon. Additionally, I’ll dedicate a post about being interviewed for the local news station, and end with talking about my upcoming adventure! Here’s a clue: I won’t be living in the US for much longer!

If you want to follow me on Instagram, my username is @angelinaaugust. I update that account more often than this blog.

Back to the video: Below is the final product… Better late than never!

Be prepared for many (hand)waves! Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/ZfyZOouu63k 

My Final Post From Samoa

After living in Samoa for 26 months, tonight is my final night.

I’ve heard that Peace Corps is a life changing experience, and indeed it’s true. Samoa has been quite the ride, full of a roller coaster of emotions. There were a few occasions where I wanted to quit and go home, but I’m glad I stuck it out because while I’ve faced many hardships, some of the hardest times of my life, the Peace Corps and my time in Samoa has been one of the best experiences I’ll ever have. The biggest lesson I’ve taken from this experience is: If I can survive two years in a developing country, 5,482 miles (8,822 km) away from home, without privacy and sometimes without basic amenities, then I can do anything.

Over the past two years I’ve met and formed relationships with not only fellow Americans, but with Samoans and people from all over the world; people I can’t imagine never meeting and not having in my life. And for that, I’ll forever be grateful to this country.

Samoa will always have a special place in my heart. Alofa atu, Samoa! Toe feiloa’i… Tofa soifua!

So now I can officially say: Join the Peace Corps and complete two years of service, check!

What’s next? I’m off to Fiji, Australia, and Thailand to celebrate this milestone! Expect updates of my travels.

My pastor threw a to'ona'i (Sunday lunch) in my honour and lavished me with gifts

Happy Prize Giving

The map is now the photo taking headquarters

This island girl is a taupo 

Doing the traditional dance for the villagers

Final night with my host fam :( I love and will miss them dearly

Utulaelae is my village and has been my home since I arrived in Samoa. This is the village where I had Peace Corps training and moved to after I left Savai'i. 

The World Map Project

The World Map Project was done during my final school term in Samoa. The Years 7 & 8 students helped with the painting part. It came out great and was an excellent way to end my service in this country. Below you'll find photos of the process... Enjoy!

Making the grid (968 squares) was the most difficult part of the project, and reconfirmed how much of a perfectionist I am

Hello, Africa!

Time to start painting!

All done painting the countries!

I have zero artistic ability, but I have to say: not too shabby, eh?

Painting the Peace Corps symbol, ya!

Writing on a cement wall isn't the easiest thing to do

Ladies and gentleman, the map is complete! Yaaa

The Years 7 & 8 rockstars who helped with the project