A Short Stay in Pago Pago, American Samoa on a 30ft Sailboat

[@mc171]

Brother your channel has been such an inspiration to me. After almost 10 years I just paid off my house and am finally starting the process of buying my boat. My dream has been to sail to the island of Kauai in honor of my late uncle who always talked about going there back in the 70s after returning from Vietnam. I am determined to make this a reality. Your videos give me hope. Cheers.

[@Watergirl_83]

Are you sailing yet?

[@blindventures]

Thanks again for sharing. Please keep letting us know about the customs and clearing process at your stops. Definitely want to avoid the crazier places.

[@RF33MUSIC]

Loving your chill attitude to life bro. Keep Sailing On Man X

[@bishopkinlyside8477]

Hi James, I’m so disappointed in the way they treated you at Pago-Pago, I was there many years ago and I found it the most friendliest place I’ve ever been. The people were just fantastic and the water was crystal clear. Once again I am so disappointed for you for your experience there in American Samoa. I know you will have a great time in Fiji Fiji is one of the happiest place on earth. Hopefully you get treated nicely there, I have many friends that live in Nandi around to Suva , BA , and Latoka , Cliff from Logan City Queensland Australia from the big island, If you come to Queensland on the Gold Coast, please let me know and I will take you around and show you around a few places

[@MrSullyO]

I am curious what the rub was. Was it the typical authority person in charge throwing their weight around and is this typical?

[@keeldragger]

American Samoa is a beautiful place, but it is not a great tourist or cruiser destination. My perspective is a little different, having visited there with my wife's family outside Pago Pago. Glad you were able to experience the Sunday feast. Hopefully cooked on a traditional umu. If the family you visited had kids, most likely there were up all Saturday night preparing it! Samoans have a beautiful and deep culture, but I'm not surprised by the bureaucracy while checking in.

[@fatzmalone5705]

Been binge watching your vids. I love the good the bad and sometimes the ugly (water swamping the cabin) But i think the part i enjoy about the video is the sounds and the peacefulness you bring to your videos. I can sit and watch for hours. I (as well as others) truly appreciate your sailing/excursion on land content. Keep up the amazing videos.

[@magi7936]

Hey Cpt J....sorry for the not so great experience you had there. I am Samoan, born and raised...until I left for the military 35 years ago. Unfortunately Samoa is no different from any place in the world...we have our good, but also our not so good. I'm glad it wasn't all bad tho, sounded like you had fun at the Sunday To'ana'i you were invited to. Hope we can meet up in Samoa some day for a beer and create some new and pleasant memories for you. Continue success on your journey and stay safe Captain 🙏🏽❤

[@jonathancomfort9939]

Beautiful sunrises-moonrises happen behind the "Sleeping Giant"...you had a perfect view of his head and chest in the video. His head is also called "Rainmaker Mountain", too bad about the rain you experienced while staying here, we get crazy amounts ☔ 😅. Sorry to hear about your bureaucratic port customs department ordeal. Way cool you experienced Sunday Umu with traditional foods and family. Did you by chance see or shop at the big open air market next toa the Aiga Bus Terminal. It has fresh banana, papaya, breadfruit, pineapple etc...and fagatogo Fish Market, cooked foods and souvenir gift areas. This is the first video of yours I have watched. Hope your journey is going great!

[@r.khannaberry246]

Im totally addicted to watching your sailing adventure videos! Thank you for sharing them so those of us who will likely never do what you are doing can experience this amazing trip! I look forward to watching as your adventure continues!

[@biblicaltheologyexegesisan9024]

brings back some memories, I lived at pulega frisco for years in Kanana Fou. definitely remember the Napa parts store, we got water the same way in tafuna. Oh yeah Sa was great. Sunday curfew as well. The Masai keep rule in every village. Captain Mike he is a surfer, i used to surf with him. He ran the tuna boat and lived over at Tisa's bar. thanks for sharing

[@paulbuttner6808]

Thank you James for sharing this special time and place. Looking forward to your next great video.

[@VINCENT-2002]

Thank you for the inspiration of all your video's James. You motivate me a lot to start refit of my 50ft Van De Stadt sailboat.

[@michaelzimmerman9221]

The sunset with city lights was awesome!

[@b_lee2003]

Wow, what an interesting tradition for “sa”! Very intriguing!

[@sharronhumphries6727]

Thank you for sharing brother !!!.

[@darmak11]

Thank you so much for sharing your adventures with us. It has truly been educating, inspiring, and entertaining.

[@SailorJames]

Thanks for watching!

[@GoooAndre]

Thanks!

[@lopati15]

Sorry for your bad experience. so funny we just got home from Samoa yesterday and we went to the same market as you. My uncle has a house right up the street

[@tualautakid213]

Thanks for visiting my Island🇦🇸 Samoa one love

[@thomas82160]

my favorite sailor. Such an interesting journey

[@DanO530.8]

Waters are so beautiful damn i wish i could be out there traveling your boat is absolutely perfect for cruising…much respect to you for taking your trash to the proper places much respect

[@jaysweeney2032]

Always Great James! thanks for sharing with us.

[@Dreamhawke]

Another great episode. Love your channel and your adventure. Can't wait for more!

[@TheRawfishking]

Malo lava le folau Capt'N. You handled yourself very well with the authorities. You get a 👍and earned a new sub. Fair Winds and following seas Capt'N.

[@stevelawrie9115]

It is a good thing that you recognise when people aren't comfortable being filmed. Looks like this one was just a pit stop.

[@YuChiGongG]

Very nice video. I enjoyed this very much.

[@MKokruok1]

Read on the tracker a report about your engine seizing up! Checked back later, and the message had disappeared. I hope that was not as serious as it originally read. Looking forward to updates - stay safe brother!

[@SailorJames]

Just had my engine rebuilt, less than a week later the brand new starter exploded inside the gearbox and the large broken piece restricted the flywheel from moving, making the engine appear seized. I deleted the post after pulling the starter and turning the engine freely

[@Trace75]

I love your channel. Super chill and I get to see beautiful places I always hope to but will probably never see. Thank you. Poseidon on your arm? Amazing. Resembles you. :)

[@landonsmith4338]

Thanks again for another great video! Too bad it was not a spectacular stay. Keep up the good work!

[@timothyjones9430]

I'm not Samoan but I have lived in Pago harbor for 30 years. I somehow missed you. Not sure how that happened.

[@jamesowens2781]

Thanks nice video

[@colettedagny-4972]

Go James go!

[@grakkerful]

Bit of a bummer as I was planning on stopping there myself. I guess just consider it a provisioning stop and not expect anything else.

[@SailorJames]

Stop at independent Samoa instead !!!

[@grakkerful]

@@SailorJames I will be doing so! Thanks for the suggestion and the videos. Good stuff.

[@christophergoodwin-qo7tg]

I used to live in American samoa, i still have a daughter living there. the bureaucracy is certainly a complete pain, with that said it is an absolutely overly governored as most Us territories or anything Americam can be, i believe you would have a much more enjoyable time in Western Samoa

[@sonjanovotny]

@sailorjames What was so bad about the clearance process? I’m planning to come to A.Samoa and stay for several months so I can work as an American abroad. Am hoping to have a spot on the dock.

[@SailorJames]

I would never suggest anyone go there ever. That place is a grave yard for yachts, the officials are a nightmare, the Harbour is a shithole. No clue why anyone would want to live there. Also, American tax payer dollars give them free healthcare and support half the population on welfare but you will be charged a ton if you try and rent an apartment and I am not sure they allow liveaboards

[@NateSail82]

James at sounds like a nightmare with the officials on that island. Quick question for you, and I appreciate all the ones you’ve answered already. Would you rather have on these islands to get around a folding bicycle or a Onewheel?

[@SailorJames]

I have very limited space for storing things on Triteia and rarely have a chance to get exercise

[@SamoanObsidian]

I'm kinda laughing about how some people from outside of American Samoan f& the Samoan people alike, find it a bit interesting about how strict the Sa on Saundays are. Bruv... The American missionaries instilled that strictness within our people as part of them giving us order in the Christian community. So- there should be nothing interestingly strange about something we never started lol.

[@SailorJames]

By 2023 its up to people to make their OWN decisions. I have been all over Polynesian where missionaries did the same and no one else is like that 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@adamkpurdy]

Love you bro

[@TEM1]

I rebuilt that television tower you see at the top of the mountain.

[@TEM1]

Samoan people are so awesome. Drinking valema and singing songs… Pretty sure they invented tattoo’s

[@TEM1]

The rules are because of a coral shelf around the island, the harbor is the only deep water place you won’t drift into it

[@jrremerable]

I can understand the check in crap, n Anchorage restrictions. Yes, it's a territory of ours, but it's their home. Possibly, coming from experience, there was a time cruisers showed up n caused problems. So as the old adage goes "few rotten apples spoil the whole bunch." Ya still got out n about, so there's the plus.

[@cj9667]

Uhmmm…that was different. Glad you were able to enjoy the hospitality of Jebs family! How about a collapsible wagon? Them granny carts are for groceries and more so laundry! 😳 Anywhere is cheaper than FP Bora Bora! Sail on…….

[@WillN2Go1]

So Samoa but not American Samoa. Got it. It had been high on my list of places I wanted to visit, but not if it's a bureaucratic controlling drag. Independent Samoa instead. (I shifted my Want To Go flag on Google Maps). re: cart wheel. I lost a nut in Oxford Underground station on my way to the airport. On the train I tied off the threaded end of the bolt with a piece of skinny yellow dyneema (other end tied off on the frame - the wheel rubbed - but it stayed on through Gatwick, then at LAX out to the curb. (I was retying it when my son pulled up.)

[@thevatrat]

Hi there Are you coming to Australia

[@jaideedave]

Too bad about checking in. I had friends visit there decades ago and they called it Pango Pango.

[@SailorJames]

It’s spelled Pago Pago and pronounced Pango Pango

[@timellis5923]

nice

[@glock5448]

Man love the content. What is the background music you use in the beginning of the video? So calming.

[@SailorJames]

All the music I use is from a copyright free music service I pay for 👍🏻

[@noegaribo91]

Saludos cordiales desde michoacan México 🇲🇽, que barco es?

[@iducatifan1]

Why don't they let you anchor anywhere else except that bay? Whats that about?

[@SailorJames]

No idea, they just said no and gave no reason

[@markjones3888]

adding content like this is well worth it..make me wonder what other nationality sailors have to go through in Pogo pogo...if you were treated awfully.

[@yokohama1949]

The chief is his older sister! I wish American feminists would discuss these sorts of example of female empowerment

[@SailorJames]

There are plenty of societies around the world that are matriarchal

[@robsonvieira9027]

hey friend come to Brazil

[@SaiteMoliga]

❤❤❤❤

[@KlodMey]

Hi James, your grandmother's cart is less solid than your boat fortunately! 😅

[@SailorJames]

😂😂😂

[@californiakayaker]

Well, my friend Barry didn't have much to say about American Samoa. Now I think I see why. If you can't drink the water then it's similar to a south american country where facilities aren't so great, rather than what you should see in an American territory. Any idea why it is like this ?

[@GavinMorris1]

I'd always wanted to visit but I think I'm cured :)

[@SailorJames]

Go to Independent Samoa instead

[@thomas82160]

How much money does it cost to dock in an America Samoa

[@zackone6829]

James, we need to get your channel to hit 1m, its super cool, peace out ⛵️🤟🏻

[@SailorJames]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@zackone6829]

James, may you always have a hand's breadth of water beneath your keel!

[@zackone6829]

Financially - what is the best way to support Tritea? Patreon or sth else? Cheers James, fair winds and following seas ⛵️🤙🏻

[@Faithhopelovegraceliving]

It really is prayer police, I hated the Sa and yes I am from American Samoa. I just don't like how strict they can be. But all and all love the content.

[@robinsommer6009]

LOVE YOU CAPTAIN JAMES 🌈🌎😍😍❤️❤️💋💋🛡️🛡️ THESE LANDS YOU INVITE ME TO SEE ARE A MASTERPIECE FOR MY EYES 😍❤️😍 THANKYOU FOR YOUR LOVE AND SHARING THIS EXPERIENCE WITH ME💎💎😍

[@NinjaBMXracing]

Go to Luma

[@chrisyarnold6205]

Seems strange that you could only anchor in Pago Pago, do the US have a military base there, that they want sailors to steer clear of?

[@SailorJames]

No, the officials just suck

[@thryce82]

Samoans can be very very not chill. Super friendly once they know you but give two shits about you until then. I personally found hawaii to be the most racist state I have ever been to. All the locals samoan/ tongan/ part hawaiin hate all non local asians and then they both dont care too much for the Howlies. At least that was what Oahu was like that Maui though every one was super chill.

[@SailorJames]

I spent 8 months in Hawaii and never experienced any racism 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@papounet4842]

Most interesting insight into an unincorporated and unorganized US territory (God bless Wikipedia for explanations about the subtle aspects of these territories !). As often, the administration does not reflect the true spirit of the population...Fair winds and sorry for the unexpected loss of your granny cart 😇

[@aprilgosnell9121]

Hate this trip was so absurd with the rif raf but hopefully that is past now and you can carry on to much better things. My spider monkey Piper and I wish you safe travels .

[@donbaldwin1777]

Pago Pago is filthy. They treat that beautiful island as a dumpster. Sad😢

[@MikeSantis]

Imagine even you as an American cittizen entering American Samoa and you have to go through such an entering procedure. I would imagine it is even worse for other nationalities. SA, with prayer police??? A country that one cannot have the freedom to believe to what one wants or not believe? Certainly a place I delete from my bucket list.

[@SailorJames]

Yeah I was really shocked at what I had to deal with being an American Citizen visiting. I would just go to Independent Samoa instead because I have heard so many good things about visiting their from friends who went there this last season

[@timothywolleck7628]

You should be use to absurd regulations James. Aren’t you from California?

[@alexstevenson2222]

Wow, "American" Samoa, they make it difficult. I'm surprised, guess tourists aren't really welcomed.

[@jerrybow8779]

That why most tourists except Americans go to manu Samoa for hollidays

[@Moremoney4ewu]

James, even if You don’t believe in “SA” are You still required to conform to getting under roof or whatever? If so what would happen of you did not?

[@SailorJames]

I respect people/places I am a visitor in and follow their culture practices.

[@Moremoney4ewu]

@@SailorJames Thanks James, I certainly wasn’t suggesting that You did not respect their Culture, clearly You are such a Person, i was only asking if you might be aware how a United States territory would treat, or respect say any visitor who may not necessarily feel compelled to abide by (or may even innocently be ignorant of) their local religious practices which they personally they may not believe in. Thats all, I’ve always been a fan of individual rights (one of the things i love so much about the USA), and so was curious how such a place (Particularly being associated with the US) would treat such a visitor who may have perhaps opposing deeply held religious beliefs, or just not desiring to participate, would be treated. Now that said I Personally, do try to be agreeable whenever possible, if Im able. Thanks again, James and i hope you didn’t think I was assuming anything other about You. As always, I Love Your content and the way You communicate to Your Viewers. Ive found it somewhat healing as Im currently going through what You experienced with your break up several years ago, after 27 years in my case. Wishing You Safe travels James! Peace!✌️

[@solerkd]

I from there. They would just approach you to let you know it's the Sa and explained. They are lenient to those who are not from there. Mind you every village is different. Mine is only at 10pm and it's about an hr when school is in session and it's mainly for the youth to head home. Ppl can drive through or even stop somewhere during the time. But Ive never walked through the village shown in the video, just drove through it during their sa.

[@Moremoney4ewu]

@@solerkd thank You for that reply, I’ve been reading a bit about it and find most of this very intriguing

[@Lost_AtSea_]

Did you let them know that they were being douche bags!

[@robertcalifornia4821]

So I guess they dont like money there. Noted.

[@edwardripley7266]

Sorry but you just didn't, talk to the right person or people,Who are the true harbor security.

[@Yo-Man]

American Samoa.. like North Korea? No filming alowed :/

[@pedroredondo3713]

Maybe people are reserved and has nothing to do with allowance...

[@SailorJames]

Exactly Pedro, I respect people’s wishes when I visit there lands 👍🏻

[@Yo-Man]

@@SailorJames after all, those people were not on every corner, I think. And there were certainly places where it was possible to film some images. Most disappointing episode ever.

[@robertcalifornia4821]

​@•Yo Man• GTFOH. where are YOUR sailing videos. Then maybe you can run your suck.

[@Kchill1986]

What religion makes you take shelter like that? Amish Mormon Jehovah witness?😅

[@tualautakid213]

It's just a curfew to respect our culture...

[@chrispeters4405]

I would never hire you to work for me, but your technical information on sailing is good. much appreciated technical detail

[@SailorJames]

I would never work for someone with that perspective so we are on the same page

[@johnmclachlan1023]

Why?

[@EMan-cu5zo]

I would never hire you to work for me with that attitude.

[@SYHOZHO]

My girlfriend‘s family is Samoan and from there. She said that they just don’t like Americans coming to their land it’s pretty clear, I know Hawaii is like that and a lot of the islands are. They don’t like people coming in destroying their land or taking the resources. Which honestly I don’t blame them after what we did to Iraq. But glad you had an amazing time this is definitely on my list of places I’ll be going once I’ve outfitted my sailboat. Fairwinds and stay safe

[@SailorJames]

They sure don’t mine taking our tax dollars to pay for everything, so if that’s the case then we should remove all USA tax dollars and see how they do

[@SYHOZHO]

@@SailorJames agreed brother glad you’re doing good out there man videos are awesome love them!

[@SYHOZHO]

@@SailorJames honestly it’s understandable if there tourists that are causing problems or issues but you are a very chill laid back sailor with such good vibes i don’t understand it, you have the outmost respect for every single island I’ve seen you go too

[@solerkd]

@@SailorJames there are ppl like that everywhere it's sad, they are just not educated enough lol but I disagree with that we all don't like Americans coming over, which is far from the truth. It's a US territory lol I am disappointed your experiences with custom was terrible, they need to do better. Hope you can give AS another chance in the future. Safe travels to Fiji.

[@bereafaiai141]

Well your girlfriend is very WRONG and I don’t know where she got that belief from. I was born and raised in American Samoa. We are a U.S. territory and we don’t dislike Americans or anybody else. That is a huge LIE and it is giving American Samoans a black eye. The U.S. is our mother country. SMDH!

[@COBJCOBJ]

Thanks!