Chapter 45 - Pago Pago

Depart Christmas Island 21/3/2010 - Arrive Pago Pago  20/3/2010

The flight from Christmas Island to Pago Pago was uneventful. Good weather and favourable winds.

However, one important event occurs which captures the imagination and also tests the talents of would be photographers in this age of GPS. The challenge is to photograph the exact moment of crossing the equator. This made all the more difficult with digital cameras that have a focussing delay period. My attempt was about 37 metres too early or 00.02' before crossing. Check my calculation and advise if incorrect.

Organisation isn't easy with the dates changing backward and forward. The refuelers wouldn't refuel us because they had expected us the day before, and they were doing a stocktake of the fuel. It was suggested to them that they refuel us and add the quantity we use into the stocktake. That was too difficult and we were told to be back at the airport early the next morning. This would mean departing the hotel at 5:45 am.

Ray & Dan completed the arrival details with the authorities while we prepared the aircraft for an early refuelling. As at Christmas Island, showering wasn't of much use because within 1/2 hour our shirts would be soaked and faces dripping with perspiration.

As David Ind had warned me - "it is not glamorous", and he was right. Not much time for sightseeing, photo taking or anything other than fueling, heading for the hotel, showering, eating, going to bed, getting up and taking off.

We had about 20 minute drive to our hotel, Sadie Thompsons, which was beside a Port with a couple of shops which included a MacDonalds.

Needing to do some washing, I asked 'Reggie' our more than effeminate employee (with flower neatly tucked behind his ear) where I could find a laundomat. Unable to find it, Reggie offered to 'look after me' and he did it for me - "as a favour". No favour for him in return other than a monetary tip.

Had the obligatory shower, went to the MacDonalds for a coffee and returned saturated with perspiration, off to dinner another shower and then to bed.

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