The University Travel Club will begin its 57th season on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 7:30 p.m. in the newly renovated Kingsbury Hall auditorium with the screening of Clint Denn's "The Samoas: Jewels of the Pacific."
The Samoan Islands are jewels of extraordinary beauty, magnificent beaches, turquoise lagoons, swaying palm trees, lush vegetation and fragrant blooms."Talofa Lava" is the Samoan's welcome. It includes you in their world, in their culture, in their way of life, rich with traditions and yet in tune with the modern world.
Status within the family and within the village plays an important part in the intricate Samoan social system. Tradition is widely and proudly maintained, from unwritten laws within the family to customs and handicrafts. Samoans are by nature and by custom easy going, even anxious to please. The majority of Samoans are full-blooded Polynesians who, guided only by the stars, sailed and populated the Pacific over 2,000 years ago. Samoa is regarded as the "Cradle of Polynesia." Western influence began in the early 1800s and now mixes readily with Samoan culture and tradition.
American Samoa boasts six inhabited islands and Western Samoa four. The islands enjoy an even, tropical climate and are quite diverse. Deep harbors, rivers, waterfalls, lush vegetation and stark lava flows give way to incredible lagoons and white sand beaches. Resorts are plentiful, from five stars to secluded beach bungalows called Fales.
Clint Denn has enjoyed a varied career in photography, travel, writing, acting and teaching. He was senior aquatics specialists and chief diving officer for the County of Los Angeles. He holds two college degrees and has taught high school and college.
The screenings are open to the public. Tickets are available at Kingsbury Hall.
Here's UTC's upcoming season:
"Greece," Oct. 15
"Bering Sea - Alaska," Nov. 5
"Holy Lands Revisited," Nov. 24
"South Africa," Jan. 7
"Ukraine," Jan. 21
"Puerto Rico," Feb. 16
"Japan," March 19
"Route 66," April 13
"Chile," May 7
"Sweden," May 26
Season tickets are available by mail or phone. Call 581-7100.