Run away! Run away! Well, only slightly...

Sea Urchin Hanging Out Underneath a Table Coral at Johnston Atoll

We have just come out of a satellite shadow where we didn't have internet for a few days and are now steaming circles around Samoa. In case the weather stations have been showing Pacific storm activity, I wanted to let you know that we are all safe, healthy and only being sloshed slightly. We are currently crossing paths with a minor storm and although we were supposed to arrive in Samoa this morning, we are now turning around to hide in the western lee of the island chain. The current forecast is that we will be able come in to port on Sunday morning. Things out here really aren't that bad and we are all busily working on the cruise report (so it can't be that sloshy). The main reason that we aren't going in to port is that the Captain doesn't want to be tied up in Samoa during the storm and have the ship bouncing against a solid pier or other boats. The way the storm is travelling, it looks like wind and waves will be funneling directly into the port where we are supposed to be so the ship could take more damage tied up then out in the open water. Other than that, I don't have much to report. I'll write more about Howland and Baker after the cruise report is finished. Until then, I hope you are all well and not snowed in.
Take care,
Cristi