By SEAN MURPHY Special to the Palisadian-Post
Paddling back out to the lineup after catching one of the best waves of my life, I sat up on my surfboard in awe of my surroundings. Drifting away from shore with the smooth current created by the lazy Fuipisia River, I watched my friends pulling into and out of beautiful Samoan currents. It was powerful surf to be sure, only for the skillful and brave… It’s been almost three weeks since we returned from our journey to paradise and now all I can think about is going back. At first glance, the cast of characters I had assembled for my latest tour would appear as motley a crew as they come’as different a group of people as anyone could put together. There was Greg Young, a builder. There were Peter Wheeler, owner of a financial institution, and John Adams, a sales representative. Also there were environmental consultant Maureen Erbeznik, rocket scientist Tom Sprafke, commodities trader Andy Barton, fireman Brian Price, travel agent Amber Ringler and professional surfer Josh Hoyer. Lastly, there were myself, a tour operator, and my wife, Stephanie, a property manager. And while each of us had pursued a different career path, we were all drawn together by three things: ties to our hometown (collectively we have lived hundreds of years in Pacific Palisades), a love of surfing and an insatiable appetite for adventure. When I reflect on the seven-day trip, the first few days come to mind as they seemed to offer endless crystal blue ocean waves, perfectly groomed by offshore winds. We enjoyed full afternoons of surfing right- and left-hand waves directly in front of our sanctuary, Salani Surf Resort on the South Pacific island of Samoa. Of course, we had just as much fun on land. Visiting O Le Pupu-Pue National Park, home of Togitogiga waterfalls, was breathtaking, and jumping off steep cliffs into a pool created by the cold fresh water cascading down hot lava rocks was exhilarating. Standing amidst the salt-water blowhole of Tua Sua trenches afforded all of us plenty opportunity to click off photos of huge ocean waves crashing into the seaside crevices. And what would a vacation be without a day on the links? Playing golf to get through an onshore day’with no scorecards, no course map, one set of clubs for five of us and only two balls each. I even remember betting that we were the lucky group to christen the pristine course. Then, there was the camaraderie. The girls enjoying their time on the white sand beach while Peter got a massage in a shaded fale. The hot sun tanning the backs of us pale Southern Californians as we shared jokes and traded stories of with old and new friends over a delightful dinner that quenched all of my hungry desires. I remember, too, spending Sunday at Lalumanu, lounging in the shade of our fale as we drank ice cold Vailimas (Samoan beer) from the bar just a short walk away. Snorkeling in the calm coral lagoon, we were all amazed by the diversity of fish and the color and vastness of the reef, the crystal-clear water inviting time spent immersed. The cool air on my face from a woven pandanus grass fan and the adrenaline rushing through my veins while I pedaled a mountain bike to the resort and coasting down hills on the rough Samoan roads and the awe of standing at the edge of the raging Fuipisia Falls as the water circled around my ankles before plummeting down 180 feet’experiences I will relive forever. The village church service that morning was especially enlightening. The bright white hats and dresses of the Samoan women who sang beautifully in chorus with the deep-voiced Samoan men. Perhaps for our benefit the Pastor shared his powerful message in both English and passionate Samoan. But perhaps the highlight of our trip was the pure Polynesian cultural experience of Friday night’s Fia Fia celebration, a smorgasbord of traditional Samoan food, song and dance that reminded us all ust how far we were from home. Flying home relaxed, refreshed with a mind filled with memories of places, experiences, new acquaintances and old friends, waves, beaches, waterfalls and smiling Samoans, I remember most of all drifting ever so gently back into the lineup to ride a few more waves like a missile across the shallow coral reef. Editor’s Note: President of WaterWays Surf Adventures in Malibu for the past 10 years, Sean Murphy is a 35-year resident of Pacific Palisades. He grew up in the Alphabet Streets, playing in the PPBA and attending Pali Elementary, Paul Revere and Palisades High, where he graduated in 1983. His travel company offers year-round trips to exotic vacation spots like Samoa, Indonesia, Fiji and El Salvador. To book a reservation, call 888-669-SURF.
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