Using the map as an example, if you want to tour from Tradewinds Hotel to Fagamalo, I would charge based on the Google Maps time estimate.

In this case, this would be 0.7 (hours) x 2(round trip) x US$100(rate) for a total of US147.00. Since I don’t want to bother carrying a bunch of singles for change, call it US$150.00. If it takes more than 1.4 hours (for whatever reason), the price will stay at US$150.00, my loss.

The Google time estimates are VERY conservative, and the true time will likely be much higher. Chances are high that you’ll want to stop to take some photo’s, and that’s OK .

If I have to cut the trip short (for whatever reason), I’ll give you a full refund.

If you need to cut the trip short (for whatever reason), we’ll talk.

• What about photo’s and videos?

I’ll have an action camera going inside the cockpit for you. On tours three hours and over, the card is yours to take for free. For tours less than three hours, you can purchase it for US$25.00. Since the tour is very personalised, anyplace that it is safe to, we can pull over so you can record to your hearts desire.

• What about safety?

Another good question.

We provide to you DOT approved helmets with an intercom system (as well as a “doo-rag, that you get to keep, to wear under the helmet).

There are face protecting visors on the helmet, and the sidecar windscreen also provides protection against debris thrown up by tires (tyres).

The jury is out on whether or not a seatbelt improves safety in a sidecar, but we have them installed and insist that you use them.

The biggest safety factor is that we have a 25 mph (40 kph) speed limit, and many people don’t even drive that fast!

It does get hot here in the tropics, so I’ll have some cooling towels in the ice chest (‘esky’) for you, as well as a piece of light fabric to keep over bare legs. I strongly suggest sun screen, but you need to bring your own.

The climate in American Samoa is ‘tropical rain forest’. For all intents and purposes, it rains every day here, it only varies by how much and where, so you can pretty much expect to get ‘sprinked’ on for a longer tour.

We can get periods of ‘serious rain’ – up to 3″ (8 cm) per hour, which is a much different animal. If, in my opinion, we start to get ‘serious rain’, or if we are forecast to get ‘serious rain’, for your safety, we’ll cut the ride short, and give you a prorated refund.

• Do you take debit/credit cards?

Sorry, we do not. I would have to use our cell network to process, and I think the risk too high to you.

• Is there phone coverage?

ASTCA (American Samoa Telecommunications Authority) has very good coverage through the Territory. If you have ‘roaming’, you would need to check with your carrier it the networks would mesh.

• Will we stop to buy souvenirs or to eat?

I have no interest in the normal kick-backs and commission scams, so, no! 🙂 If you want to have a short stop to buy something to snack on, that’s OK with me (I’ll have a cooler with some water for you in the car). If you want to have a full on, sit down, meal then we’ll be back to “negotiate” on the money thing.

• Is it OK to bring food and/or drinks with us?

I’ll have cold water in a cooler for you, if you want to bring anything else *EXCEPT ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES*, that’s fine. We have strict rules here about alcoholic beverages, and we could all wind up in the fale puepue (jail) until our lawyers get things sorted.

• How can we talk when you’re on the motorcycle and we’re in the sidecar?

The helmets have a wireless intercom system. You are in control; if you don’t want me to hear you, then switch the microphone off.

You can have a commentary as we ride, or not; your choice. I’m fairly knowledgeable of both contemporary, and legendary, American Samoa