Samoa - What to Expect

The island of Upolu is part of Western Samoa and where all the admin stuff is. There are many wonderful things to check out, like the hole in the rock by the monastery, Robert Louis Stevenson´s house and grave, various waterfalls to jump in and most of the beaches. However, all the roads to the beaches are always patrolled by Locals and they demand some money before you can use the beach. In fact everything in Samoa needs money before it will work. Unless you can speak the language, (Samoan) everyone is distant.

The Italian Pizzeria is fabulous if you are sick of getting salad on your toasted sandwich. Say hello to Jennifer, the nicest waitress you'll ever meet and so helpful. Also check out the food market for a cool experience, with all sorts of fruit to try.

The "resorts" are not westernised. Expect "island time" aka massive delays and limited tourism facilities. The people are wonderful and friendly, but they will charge you to visit any signposted area (a waterfall, blowhole, black sand beach) hire a car and do a day trip around the island, sunday had a lot of foot traffic to and from churches but provided an interesting insight into island culture. Tane's has cheap supermarket supplies and Raci's will hire out bikes and snorkels. Don't miss the snorkelling. This is definately a holiday for people who want to relax and blob out.

The capital city of Western Samoa, is not really a city in the western sense. There are banks and beaches, hotels and shops and a few places to enjoy the night out.

What a great place, awesome coral for snorkelling and the beach fale's are great value. 65tala a night gets you a fale and breakfast and dinner and some great memories

Aggie Grays resort is a very nice place to stay or Aggie Grays downtown. The Government is in the process of changing the driving style from right hand side to left hand side (in other words they are currently driving on the same side we do in the states, but changing to the international way of driving.) Locals are very nice and laid back.

Dont get ripped off in apia for a lava lava, we paid 45tala when we found out you get given them elsewhere or can buy them for around 10tala. Stay in the hidden garden B B ... its really nice and the owners are great. We stayed there at the beggining and end of our trip.

Apia Samoa ist eine wunderschöne insel in der südsee. Perfekt zum Auto mieten und die Schöne Natur zu geniessen. Wasserfälle, schöne Strände und fast keine Touristen.