7pm Sunday evening down at a local internet cafe

We've had a lovely day out at one of the beaches on the South of the island with a bunch of other N.Z. and Australian families - it's phenomenal how many expats with young kids there are here compared to Ulaanbaatar.

So, Samoa from b's perspective

HOT - although not as hot as we anticipated, but the inability to escape the humidity is definitely noticeable on the warmer days.

FRIENDLY, SUPER HELPFUL PEOPLE - loving working with Samoans and have really enjoyed talking with everyone I've met. Really hoping to make some good Samoan friends while we're here.

RELAXED PACE OF LIFE - which is mostly enjoyable but occasionally frustrating - so far so good but check in with me on that one in a few months.

IMPRESSIVE RAIN STORMS - Love them!! Especially when i'm already snuggled up in bed for the night. Not so good when I'm in town manning the clinic stall in my white t-shirt though.

LOTS OF ENGLISH SPOKEN- Awesome for getting around and meeting people but means my motivation to learn Samoan is a bit diminished - still it seems that Steve is surpassing me in Samoan vocab so that should be challenge enough to get me motivated again.

FAMILY IS FIRST PRIORITY - Love it, kids are everywhere and catered for really well at the events we've been to so far. Also means that getting away from work to watch the school assembly is super easy.

The kids are loving school, especially J - it's really great watching them form new friendships and gaining confidence to try out new things. Their school has plenty of singing and dancing which goes down a treat. It's also been a great way to meet other people living here with kids.

We're getting to be pro's at sleeping through the gecko, cockroach, rooster, dog and sheep sounds now. Although, I do still sleep with a torch under my pillow so I can be on the watch for creepy crawlies on my way to the bathroom/kids in the night.

We're still figuring out whether or not to get internet and also debating a cheap way to get some hot water for showers - cold water is o.k most of the time but not so enjoyable last week when it rained most of the week so the water in our tank was COLD cold.

Wanting to master cracking a coconut - it really shouldn't be that hard should it?? Then i can get cranking with homemade coconut cream - mmmm...

Loads of love to you all.

Tofa Soifua

b.