Sliding Rocks

     Between Leone and Fagatele Bay on the south coast is a large area of rocky shoreline called Sliding Rocks.  They start in the west with some cliffs and crashing waves (see previous posts for some photos).  Then this area extends east about a half-mile to near Fagatele Bay where crashing surf makes it impassable.  The terrain ranges from a small sandy beach, over flat but broken coral and rock, to some rocky piles with streams and tidal pools.  Much of the rocky part is covered with kinds of algae; it may look stable but it is actually as slippery as walking on small ball bearings.  Hence the interesting name.  Photos:

Beach, looking east

Looking back to west end cliffs, the Batmobile parked on top

Rick inspecting a bigger pool

Looking way back to the west

Lava shelf

Ferns atop the cliffs

Rocky shelves, looking to east

Surf comes close to shore here

Incoming! Notice the freighter ship passing by out to sea.

Little pool

Very ancient lava flow

View from atop cliffs at west end of Sliding Rocks

Waves coming in over the rock & coral shelves

Weirdly weathered rocks

More ancient lava flows, east end of Sliding Rocks

     Sliding Rocks is noted on the local maps as a tourist and scenic area.  It certainly is scenic; not spectacular such as the blowhole areas but quietly interesting.  We like to explore the small holes and fissures, which fill with water at high tide, and occasionally produce a nice shell, especially at low tide.  Most potholes are small, maybe a couple feet around; some get larger.  The larger ones will have fish swimming in them, small colorful fish.  We saw a couple with an eel swimming.  The eels are very fearful; they can see movement up above and if they detect your presence they curl up in a crack or under a rock so you cannot see them.  One eel stuck its head out from its hiding place; it looked like a small moray eel and I'd bet that's what it was.  Best of all, Sliding Rocks is only about a mile away from home.  If we get tired of watching the ocean, the blowholes, or the sunset near our home, we can run over there and get a much different look.  It's nice to have such choices!

     Down at the far end is a large tidal pool, good for swimming.  Here are some photos, and it also appears in the video below:

View of the tidal pools

Wave crashing up and over

Wave coming over the edge into the tidal pool

Here's a video of the Sliding Rocks area, looking from east and panning around to west:

Here's a video clip of the eastern part, near the end, with waves crashing up & over to a tidal pool; it's a nice spot for some swimming here; same place as in above photos:

A final video, showing the end of the Sliding Rocks and why - the waves and terrain combine to make it impossible to walk further along:

     Sliding Rocks is a nice area, it's fun to climb over the rocks, inspect the little pools, look for shells and small fish and wildlife.  Best of all, at only a mile from home in Leone, it's easy to get there.

     On the way back, we saw a squall cloud out to sea; it passed us by:

Rain out over the sea

Next:  We are flying to Upolu in Western Samoa next Thursday for about 4 days.  I've been there, very briefly, on my way to its neighbor, Savai'i - see my earlier post - it's a first for Cyndi.  We'll post about that trip on our return.  Talofa from American Samoa, faithful readers!