Capture the scenic views of the island and visit a recreated traditional Samoan village where the ancient ways of island life are still faithfully practiced. Drive towards the idyllic western side of Tutuila. So many breathtaking views await you, each worthy of a brief stop for photos. There's the monolithic Fatu-ma-Futi or Flowerpot Rock that rises straight out of the ocean as if standing sentinel at the entrance to beautiful Pago Pago Bay. You’ll stop for photos along the way, to capture some of the best views of the island’s villages, coastline and lush mountains.

Still, staggeringly beautiful settings and historic attractions aren't the only draws in western Tutuila. You'll also have the opportunity to observe the traditional Samoan way of life at a uniquely laid-back small recreated village. The villagers live together communally and their thatched wooden structures, known as fales, which are open and without walls, symbolic of the villagers' unrestricted culture. Each fale is devoted to a specific purpose, such as sleeping or food preparation.

During your visit, you will observe demonstrations on daily activities that illustrate how the Samoans live their lives. Samoans are the only islanders that cook their family meals aboveground on an umu of hot river rocks, which are covered with banana fronds to create an oven of sorts. Following a cooking demonstration, you will get to sample the resulting dishes. Relax, and savor this unique opportunity to participate in traditional Samoan culture.

Witness one of the most esteemed ceremonies in Samoan culture, performed at a traditional village and enjoy a scenic drive with photo stops along the way. Begin your tour with a drive east, during which you'll delight in the island's natural beauty and historic natural landmarks. Highlights include the stop at Camel Rock, a rock formation resembling a lonely camel laying on the bay. Your tour carries on towards the east end of Tutuila. Stopping at Auasi wharf to take photos of the beautiful island of Aunu’u off in the distance and watch locals board local fishing boats utilized as taxis between the two islands. Before returning to your ship make a stop at Fagatogo Marketplace to shop, local handicrafts, jewelry, or local clothing.

OVERVIEW

Visit the studio of an artist that is a master of siapo, the art of painting nature-inspired patterns on bark cloth. This decorative art has become a symbol of Samoan culture as you will discover at the Regina Meredith Art Studio in the village of Leone. A fourth-generation siapo artist, Regina will show you how the cloth is prepared from the inner bark of mulberry trees. It is a complicated process as the bark must be soaked in water to keep it malleable, scraped with clam shells to remove impurities, pounded flat and glued to other pieces of bark cloth to make a canvas, which is then dried and stretched. Natural dyes are used for paint; the main colors being brown, black, yellow and red. The designs are always abstract or geometric. Besides seeing a collection of Regina’s extraordinary works, you will create your own piece siapo art in a hands-on class under her direction.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Delve into the traditional Samoan art of siapo at a master artist’s studio.
• Learn about the long history of siapo and how it has evolved over time.
• See how the bark-cloth canvas is created from the inner bark of mulberry trees.
• Paint your own souvenir siapo picture in a hands-on class at the studio.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Ancient legends and customs are still essential to the Samoan way of life, and this tour presents them in a highly engaging manner, so you'll truly understand their significance.

Departing from the pier you'll begin a meandering route around Tutuila that will reveal many of the landmarks that the islanders find most meaningful. You'll see star mounds or Tia Seu Lupe, an important setting in the ancient history of American Samoa -- it is where chiefs would come to compete for the hand of the other chief's daughter or wife by trying to capture the most pigeons. Stop for photos at the monolithic Fatu-ma-Futi or Flowerpot Rock that rises straight out of the ocean as if standing sentinel at the entrance to beautiful Pago Pago Bay. Farther west, you'll pass the Leone Mission Monument where missionaries first successfully landed in 1830. Vaitogi Village is famous locally for its Turtle & Shark legend, animals that can supposedly become humans when the islanders call them with an ancient chant.

Travel to the home of American Samoa's late Governor -- a very popular man among the local people. Step inside the house to see memorabilia from his time in office.

At the Tauese P.F. Sunia Marine Sanctuary, watch a video explaining the precious resources of American Samoa's wildlife-rich waters and learn more about the country's history and ancestors at the nearby J.P. Haydon Museum.

View Pago Pago's picturesque eastern side and have a view of downtown on this mostly panoramic tour with photo stops along the way.

Visit the Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean Center and be taken into American Samoa’s culture through its largest natural resources, their marine sanctuaries. You’ll find informative exhibits highlighting the importance and value of coral reefs, oceanic ecosystems, how they tie into the local culture and the effects on them.

Stop at Pago Harbor, where you will be treated to some lovely views from the other side of the bay. Further along, you'll have another photo stop to see Camel Rock. The shape of this off-shore rock formation brings to mind the image of a lonely camel and thus, gained it the name Camel Rock. An additional stop before heading back towards town will be at Alao Village. Alao is famous for the NOAA observatory and its air beaker. American Samoa has one of the world’s cleanest airs, next to Antarctica. The world’s air quality is measured off of the air samples collected by that beaker. An additional stop before heading back towards town will be at Avaio Beach. Your stop here will provide an opportunity to get a cold beverage, take some photos, perhaps get your feet in the water or get a souvenir to take back home.

Arriving back in the mountain-rimmed American Samoa capital of Pago Pago, you will enjoy a panoramic tour that passes by several historical buildings. Although rather diminutive, this town of approximately 4,000 boasts several noteworthy attractions.