Waterfalls and cliffs seem to taunt my girls, calling their name and daring them to jump off into the waters below. It doesn’t matter whether the waters are swirling at the base of a waterfall, crystal clear, or vivid turquoise – my family likes to jump.
Sarah jumping into the Lava Caves at To Sua, Samoa
Hubby and I opted to stay back at the Saletoga Sands Resort for an afternoon of relaxation, as our teens are old enough now to go on tours without us. And when it comes to jumping, I am much happier knowing the girls are with an experienced guide like Kelvin rather than with me, as we didn’t want another trip to a hospital in Samoa.
Their first stop was To Sua Ocean Trench, in Lotofaga Village, Samoa. Literally, To Sua translates to “giant swimming hole” and that is what this 30-meter deep salt water swimming hole is. The ladder to get down would have stopped me had I gone. But those who climbed down (everyone who went) said it was amazing.
This is the main sink hole at To Sua Ocean Trench. The ladder is too scary for me.
Climbing up the ladder at exit to the sink hole at To Sua Ocean Trench, Samoa
Part of the adventure was swimming under the trench out into the sea. They also swam in the vivid turquoise waters at the lava caves.
The tour group from Saletoga Sands Resort inside the Lava Caves at To Sua Ocean Trench, Samoa
After To Sua they headed west to another jumping off point at Togitogiga Waterfalls:
Jumping into the Togitogiga Waterfall from a four-meter cliff (13 feet), Samoa
The outcome: “It was great, mum, I loved it! You would have hated it.” And then, to drive her point home, my daughter added, “Actually, I am glad you didn’t go, as you might not have let me do some of the jumps I did.”
I am guessing it is this jump she was referring to:
My girl is so brave. Here she is jumping into the Togitogiga Waterfall from an eight-meter cliff (26 feet), Samoa
Are you brave enough to jump into To Sua Ocean Trench?
Big thanks to Kelvin Kay of Saletoga Sands Resort and Karen Ellen from New Zealand for sharing their photos and allowing me to share them here. Since I wasn’t at To Sua Trench, neither was my camera.
For Sarah, this is one of the many highlights of Samoa.
Robert Louis Stevenson Museum – Sarah’s Saturday Snapshots #3
Anni
June 13, 2014 at 8:23 pmThat. Ladder. Is. So. Steep. Gosh!
Oh no, I don’t jump. I want sandy beaches where I can walk far out into the sea before I get my tummy wet.
But your blog post is quite amazing! And so are your daughters!
Rajesh
June 11, 2014 at 3:14 pmExciting experience. I love it.
stevebethere
June 10, 2014 at 9:29 pmFab photos Rhonda and what a beautiful place that first one of Sarah jumping gave me butterflies LOL
Have a clifftastic week 😉
Anne
June 10, 2014 at 2:48 pmAwesome shots! Jumping is for the youthful! I am not a great swimmer so I have a bit of fear about it. I do love water though and use to water ski when I was younger. I appreciate these beautiful photos and thank you for sharing. Enjoy your week.
LaVoice
June 10, 2014 at 10:07 amI could not stand to watch those girls do that. I do not know why, I have a fear of water. Never come close to drowning or anything. I have never owned a bathing suit.
Rhonda Albom
June 10, 2014 at 11:35 pmLOL – that’s what my youngest said, she was glad I wasn’t there as I might not have let her make the big jump.
Molly
June 10, 2014 at 4:22 amOh wow this place looks amazing
Mollyxxx
lina@a happy family
June 10, 2014 at 3:03 amWow, awesome shots! It’s a pity I’m too afraid to jump off any cliff.
Rhonda Albom
June 10, 2014 at 11:34 pmThat’s ok, you won’t be alone, I will stand next to you at the top of the cliff.
Comedy Plus
June 10, 2014 at 2:04 amI’m 62 years old. I don’t jump off cliffs of any height. I just don’t jump. Your girls seem to love it though.
Have a fabulous day. 🙂
Hilary
June 10, 2014 at 1:25 amHi Rhonda .. what an amazing place .. looks beautiful … and no wonder they had fun. I don’t like jumping into pools … but one time I had to in South Africa .. and my lungs nearly burst – then we had to swim out of the canyon – not funny! It may well have been over 26′ … if I’d known I’d have never have gone … nightmares for a long time! Those pools look amazing though .. cheers Hilary
Tony Payne
June 10, 2014 at 12:55 amI would have struggled with the ladder too, as I am scared of heights, and not sure whether I could have jumped off the cliffs from that height, but it would be wonderful to swim in the cave and in that clear water. Worth the ladder experience at least.
Rhonda Albom
June 10, 2014 at 11:29 pmI am sure it would have been great to have the swim, but the ladder and the jumps stopped me 🙂
Little Wandering Wren
June 10, 2014 at 12:53 amThis made me laugh as my daughter jumped out of a plane this weekend – kids! I am glad everyone made it back safely.
Wren x
L. Diane Wolfe
June 9, 2014 at 11:48 pmI’m a thrill seeker, so I would definitely jump!
Hannah
June 9, 2014 at 10:24 pmIn my youth I did jump off a bridge that was rather high, but I’m happy now without all that excitment. The young people do seem to be enjoying all the thrills, and what beautiful places to do it! Hopefully they always have a guide who knows where the rocks are!
Rhonda Albom
June 9, 2014 at 11:59 pmIn my youth I am sure I would have jumped. Joyce can verify it (she was my college roommate at Uni). The guide jumped first 🙂
Sally
June 9, 2014 at 6:46 pmHi Rhonda,
I’d be too chicken to jump, but oh, how beautiful that turquoise blue water is. Isn’t it fun finding blue? Thanks for playing today.
Happy Blue Monday!
Corinne
June 9, 2014 at 6:03 pmRhonda, I totally understand. Although, I think I would have had to try…what fun! I’m so glad that the girls got to do it. Isn’t it nice now that they can do some things on their own and leave you two free…I remember how good that felt. Sarah, once again…perfect photos…love that turquoise!
Rhonda Albom
June 9, 2014 at 11:55 pmIt really is nice that they can go off on their own and hubby and I get free time together. Everyone wins. And as for Sarah’s photos – these were with a little Fuji waterproof point and shoot.
jan
June 9, 2014 at 4:13 pmTo Sua is the place for me. It looks beautiful and I am not keen on climbing on ladders like that, but I would make myself do it. I would like my husband to be behind me on the way down and up. I wouldn’t fancy jumping into swirling waters though. “)
Rhonda Albom
June 9, 2014 at 11:53 pmI would want my husband in front of me on the way down, but I am guessing we are talking about the same place, where he can catch me if I fall.
Joyce
June 9, 2014 at 2:20 pmLooks like a beautiful place. No more cliff jumping? You sure have changed over the years.
Alex J. Cavanaugh
June 9, 2014 at 2:08 pmI might jump off some cliffs. I’d definitely do the cave and the deep pool! What amazing spots.
Rhonda Albom
June 9, 2014 at 11:51 pmYou needed to jump into the caves (that’s the first photo) and walk that ladder to get into the deep pool 🙂