Expedition into the Interior
Their motivation was exploration and discovery on this burning Saturday morning as they faced the mysterious jungle landscape ahead, also known as the ‘Interior’. Team “Breakthrough the Bush” comprised of three veteran trekkers Tim, John, and Vik along with their new addition and rock climbing expert Dane Worthington. The seasoned trio’s first attempt at reaching Savai’i’s southern coast was thwarted after conquering six magnificent waterfalls they reached the seventh, a towering 100 plus feet (approximate) of surging water emptying into an eroded basin reaching depths of over 30 feet (gestimation). They were turned away soaking wet, mildly satisfied and determined to try again.
On November 27th the “Breakthrough the Bush” team was fresh and with their two new additions, Dane and Tim’s brand new GPS, were in high spirits. The planned route steered them away from the Maliolio river, their original trail, and in a more southern direction. Great time was made through Stage 1, Patamea’s maumaga trail, but the road through stage 2 was not as easily traveled. Attempt after attempt to penetrate a seemingly unending wall of carnivorous strangle vine was unsuccessful and by 11oclock fatigue was setting in. One last attack was made to break the front lines of the hungry ‘eatushuminus’ vine and almost resulted in loss of lead trailblazer, Tim “The Devastator” Martin. Facing certain disaster the decision was made to turn back towards the river bed and a more relaxing day by the falls.
The battered Breakthrough crew settled in nicely on the rocks beneath the mountainous waterfalls gaze. Sowers, lunch, and sling shot practice with tuna can targets filled the afternoon nicely. The group was so thrilled, or tired, that they decided to build a fire, pith Vik’s 1 ½ man tent and stay the night amongst Samoa’s natural splendor. With the fire ablaze the darkness was received and travelers were presented with a gift from the jungle...3 billion mosquitoes (fact). This drove the four men to their fortrouse where they were greeted by the claustrophobia of being confined in a space meant for 1 person and their backpack. The heat, close quarters, and the chorus of namu plotting a hostile takeover just outside drove the fearless four to the brink of insanity and out of the tent. In a frantic two minute period bags were packed, shoes and headlamps engaged and the journey home had begin.
With the groups mental GPS turned on they were able to slip through the woods unscathed, except for a near collision with a stone embankment, and back onto the dirt road traveling through Patamea and to Vik’s estate in Samalaeulu, but not without an audience. The Palagi foursome dawning headlamps a knife and lots of other gear was quickly spotted in Patamea, a village well off the main drag and at the time captivated by a village wide street dance party. After a very concerned Matai explained to them that they were the first Palagi’s to come from the woods at night and had put a good scare on everyone the weary travelers were finally able to conquer the home stretch and begin discussion on Expedition 3. No details are available as of yet.
Thats an article i wrote for the PC Samoa newsletter, its all true except for the vine (if it wasn't obvious, but thats truely as close as you can get to describing its nature..hungry and ferocious!!)
