Following a morning at sea, we eagerly entered the sleepy harbor of Samoa’s capital city for our afternoon ashore. Our first stop was a grand cathedral whose façade mirrored the sparkling blue waters of the tropical Pacific. Inside, we marveled at the ornate wooden ceilings and stained glass that blend biblical motifs with traditional Samoan imagery. A short trip out of town brought us to the historical estate of author Robert Louis Stevenson. Nestled among lush botanical gardens, we spent the rest of our time on the island exploring the vibrant tropical setting that inspired many of his later literary works. Those of us looking to cool off took a moment to sip a cool drink or swim in a scenic waterfall. It was a beautiful introduction to this remote nation that left many of us eager to return.