Maninoa Magic

Talofa all

Well last weekend we felt seriously in need of a weekend away at a beach, after all you can't live on a tropical island and just have an ordinary weekend now can you? Anyway Saturday lunch time we decided to throw our snorkelling gear and the chilly bin in the car and head over the other side of the island to a recommended spot....

What a little gem Maninoa Surf Resort is! Nestled in between 2 of the biggest resorts on Upolo (Coconuts and Sinalei) were about 7-8 open beach fales. It was pretty busy here. Luckily we managed to get a fale for the night. We were surrounded by Australian "hot bod" surfie types (well it added to the scenery for some ;-)) who did not a lot until it was deemed the surf was up and then they all piled into a small boat with out board motor and headed out to the break.

Meanwhile after exploring the nearby resorts (to suss out a nice spot for dinner) we decided to get snorkelling. It was a bit "bobby" out there on the water with a bit of swell and currents that were washing us down stream but nevertheless the snorkelling was great with lots of lovely fish and coral to look at.

Shortly after our retreat from the ocean the heavens decided to open and it bucketed down but that did not deter us as it was warm rain and very refreshing. Our fale had it's own verandah so we sat there with our Jack and a book and watched the surfies come back from their trip out.

The next day we had breakfast at the fales along with all the surfie dudes. Adam said it was like feeding time at the zoo and he wasn't far wrong. Breakfast consisted of toast, tea and coffee, spaghetti, sausages and cut up orange. Well it would have done if we managed to get in before it all went! Woomph and it disappeared in about 2 seconds flat. Luckily for us polite ones there was more on the way!

After letting our breakfast settle (another chapter of Harry Potter later) we eyed up the big black clouds rolling in over the hill tops behind us but decided not to let that deter us from going snorkelling again. This day was even better than the previous. We found a deep trench where the boats go in and out and on either side was fabulous fish and coral. It reminded me of the drop off! I had a great time with my new underwater camera taking photos and videos so watch out for them on Flickr and YouTube. Before long though I heard an almighy boom and thought there was something wrong with my head but it turned out to be thunder rolling over above. It started to rain big splotchy drops so it was about time for us to get out.

We sat on our verandah again and this time I rinsed the salt water off under the rain which was very warm. We packed up and headed home but it was a lovely mini break and I was pleased to have got away from the housework at home!