All goods things must come to an end, and as such, it was time to leave Easter Island. Everyone I spoke with felt a connection at this stop, from that warm, fuzzy feeling of contentment to the deeper feeling of “Oh yes, I will definitely be back here”.

Back on the plane after another jaunt through security. For an island of 7500, EI’s airport was mobbed with incoming tourist flights so this was a slower process than anticipated. Still, it is sinfully nice to be expedited through security, to then walk directly to one’s private plane, only to be met by one’s smiling, oh-so professional crew, and a glass of champagne! Have been thinking about how I will readjust to the rigors of pain-old (no, that is not a misspelling) air travel when back home. No solution has presented itself yet barring a Go Fund me campaign for a Honda jet.

Initially it was to be about a 9-10 hour trek in total as it was thought we would need a refueling stop in Tahiti. As much as I have always wanted to see that island, we would not have been allowed off the plane during the procedure. Happily, our Captain, Tony, greeted us onboard with the news that the plane was slap full of fuel and the winds were in our favor, so it was direct to Samoa. Samoa, to me, is a mysterious place of tropical enchantment; the place of Margaret Mead (as a wee lad I did love those pictures of naked natives) and Robert Louis Stevenson. We were treated to a presentation on the island while in-route from Jack Daulton, an expert on the island and seemingly everything else – I just have to get back to reading !

Seven hours later we land at this tropical delight, and scalding heat. We were met by dancers in the lobby, cold drinks in fresh coconuts, and more goodies in our room…

Our pillow gift this stop was a lava-lava for each, the local wrap (think midi-skirt and how bad it looks on me).

Dinner was a Samoan feast followed by another performance of indigenous dancers and a fire juggler…

The next morning there were a couple of activities we opted out of to recharge and prepare for the stops ahead. In the lobby a market of local wares had been arranged for us, providing a selection of beautiful handcrafts. I was taken by a woman making bracelets from banana leaves so ordered one up…

It is also where I caught up on my blogging duties with a little help from a local purveyor…

Then, travesties of travesties, it was back on the plane after less than 24 hours. As we left the lobby we were “sung out” by some locals, all with pure and strong voices. Not enough time to get the full flavor of the island by any stroke. I can tell you that the vistas are stunning and the people are some the most sincere I have come across in memory. Oh yes, I will definitely be back here.

Flew through security, jumped on the plane (yes to more smiles and champagne), then headed our way to Cairns, Australia and one of the things I have been most excited about on The Trip – scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef !