Samoa is one of the few South Seas islands where its self-sufficiency has retained itself.
Tourism is still calculable, and so the visitor experiences a traditional way of life
in almost unaffected nature.
General Information
To get to the group of Samoan Islands in the middle of the Pacific, it takes about 6 hours flying from Australia or New Zealand, about 12 flying hours from the USA and 23 flying hours from Europe. The Samoan Islands are divided into two groups: 1) American Samoa, belonging to the USA and 2) the independent "Western Samoa", which since 1997 is officially called Samoa.
On Samoa - also called the heart of Polynesia - can be found an intact Polynesian culture, whose charm will capture the tourists within a few minutes. The islands of Samoa consist of 2 larger inhabited and 4 smaller uninhabited islands. The main island, Upolu, with its capital Apia is a little smaller than the neighbouring inhabited island Savai'i. These two islands are interconnected by a ferry. The ferry boat, M.V. Lady Samoa, makes several trips a day from the northwest coast of Upolu to Savai'i. On this ferry trip - which lasts about 90 minutes - you should be able to see the two pre-aged islands, Apolima and Manono, weather permitting.
"Fa'a Samoa"
On Samoa, approximately 175 000 inhabitants still live an old traditional genuine life. They call it "Fa'a Samoa", which also means a life adjustment - similar to the Spanish "tranquillo". So it may not surprise a visitor, driving through the beautiful villages along the coastal roads, to observe Samoan people sleeping in one of the many fales by the beach. The clock here runs a little more slowly than at home. Visitors are encouraged to fully take on "Fa'a Samoa".
You should not miss a chance to participate in one of the Sunday services, and experience not to be forgotten. The people of Samoa "sing" their church songs with such Power, all dressed in the most beautiful white dresses and Lavalavas. Even from outside of the church the songs can be heard a few miles away. After the sunday church service, traditionally the UMU furnace (an earth furnace) is lit and after a short while Samoa is coated in smoke clouds and it smells like wood and leaking rem meal everywhere.Accomodation
Samoa offers a wide range of accommodation, from the traditional Samoan beach fale to beach resorts and large hotels. Upolu is where the biggest hotels are found. There is also a selection of standard and budget facilities where you'll find the beach fale (the traditional version of a small Samoan home) located on white sandy beaches just metres from the ocean. Head to Savai'i and you'll find well-known establishments of resorts, hotels and beach fales scattered along the north-east side and western side. With such a wide variety to choose from, you'll never go short of a fale or room. The Samoan Tourism Authority office has a current list.
Sports and Tourist Activities
SPORTS:
On both islands, Upolu and Savai'i, you will not run short of things to do sport-wise. Biking, caving, hiking, bowls, golf, jogging, kirikiti (Samoan cricket), netball, rugby, squash, tennis, diving, surfing, snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, paopao (Samoan outrigger canoes), sailing and windsurfing and of course swimming in tourquoise warm water. With such a list, one cannot get bored.
OTHER:
Robert Louis Stevenson: This great author of books such as 'Treasure Island' and 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde', settled in Samoa in the early 1890's with his family. The Samoans gave him the name 'Tusitala'- teller of tales. You can visit his beautiful home, which is now a museum at Vailima.
Upolu and Savai'i, like the smaller islands, offer fantastic bays and waterfalls like Papapapa Tai waterfall which is surrounded by tropical rain forest, and the O Le Pupupue National Park which offers different interests for each visitor. For more detailed information of all tours on the island archipelago Samoa, beautiful nature scenes and beaches, as well as an overview of all the places of interest,
go to Samoa Visitors Bureau (click here), Beach Road in Apia.
The Tradition of the Tattoos
With the ferry boat, M.V. Lady Samoa, you should make a trip to Savai'i, the "Big Iceland". The island has about 47,000 inhabitants, who almost all live in typical villages directly along the coastal road by the beach. Here, the art of Tattoos is celebrated. It is a completely special ritual, even if it means a painful procedure with hammer and sharp needle.The Samoans 'wear' their tattoos with pride. Tattoo sessions take place in privacy, away from public view, but the Samoa Visitors Bureau could possibly organize a tattoo 'outing'. Those who would like to have a tattoo done, best recommendation is Sanu Ape. He does really beautiful and clean tattoos. There are, however, also other people who do good tattoos, so it's best to ask around locally.Samoan culture
Foreign visitors might find the traditional cultures of Samoa quite unusual. Samoans greet foreign visitors with an extreme warm welcome. This friendliness is very sincere and honest, and to respect their culture you should adhere to a few rules:It is best not to visit a village on Sundays, because Sunday is holy and the church attendance with the following Umu meal is reserved. Likewise, you should not swim on Sundays in the proximity of villages nor perform any work.
If you stay overnight in a village, you should never accept an invitation of another family because you would insult your host family.
Because there is no poverty in Samoa and therefore also no beggars, you should not distribute gifts indiscriminately. It is however usual to present a small gift e.g. Kava to the Matai (so-called chieftain or village chief).
When entering a fale, community fale or house please take off your shoes.
The "SA" is holy, it is the time of prayer. Mostly it is between 6 and 7 o'clock pm. A "gong" reminds the island inhabitants that the SA is approaching, and a second gong marks its begin. During this time visitors should not disturb any locals for any reason at all. Particularly on the smaller islands, e.g. Manono Iceland, these Christian rituals are still particularly highly noted, so that during the time of the SA, tourists should stop their activities. A third gong - approximately 10-15 minute later - indicates that SA is over.First of all you should never be impatient. If something does not work out the way you want it to, remember that you are away from home, so simply enjoy the Samoan way - the Fa'a Samoan way!!!
Samoan Facts
Airport
Upolu and Savai'i have each two airports. At Upolu, about 30 km from Apia is the international airport Apia Faleolo (APW), which is suitable for jumbo jets. Close to Apia is Fagalii, from which several flights go to Savai'i. There is no private air traffic. With departure, 30 Tala airport tax is due.
Banks and currency
There are banks at Apia on Upolu and at Saleologa and Asau/Vaisala on Savai'i.
The bank-hours are: Mon. to Fri. 9.00 to 15.00 o'clock.
Notes and coins: There are notes in 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 Tala,
coins in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Sene = cents.
Currency: Best option would be to go to www.exchangerate.com for the correct rate.
Beaches
Samoa has very volcanic and rocky islands. It is worthwhile to drive to the beaches - there is enough space for small huts (beach fale), where you can find shade. You can swim and snorkel in the lagoon within the reef, however beware of the daily sea currents and tides. Sun protection is very necessary. Urgent request: Please protect the corals, and avoid having to walk on them and destroy them, this could also lead to bad coral cut infections.
Buses
On Savai'i there are local bus routes between the villages and long-distance traffic from Saleologa Asau, as well as from and to the Ferries to Upolu. The busses are private enterprises and are extremely reasonable. On Upolu, buses are very easy find and catch, except for Sundays, this also applies for Savai'i.
Ecological tours
Samoa offers a whole abundance of tours: Protected Lagoons of Mangroves, rain forest, waterfalls and jungle rivers are targetted for tours.
Electricity
At Samoa there are Australian/New Zealand standards: 230 Volt/60 cycles per second. This also applies to Savai'i. The traveler needs an adapter with two flat tongues which form a V-shape.
Ferries
Several times at day ferries operate between the Mulifanua Wharf at Upolu and Saleologa at Savai'i. The departure times given on the timetables are approximate.
Health
Inoculations are not necessary. There is no malaria here. Drink alot of water (and not alcohol) to avoid dehydration due to the heat, enjoy the sun for a limited period and don't be shy with the use of sun cream. Disinfect and cover cuts.
Hikes
There are only a few possibilities, in the national park and at Mt. Vaea. There are marked paths which make it easier to hike. Otherwise you must create the way yourself with a machete, with local assistance and conditions.
Kiosks
Outside of Apia there are only small kiosks, because the Samoans are usually self-supporters. In Manase there is a gas station with a kiosk.
Meals and drinking
On Upolu there are sufficient restaurants available, in which you can eat well and they are inexpensive. Small meals and beverages are inexpensively purchased at some places. At Savai'i there are only a few public restaurants, therefore the food supply is very important in the Resort.
Newspapers
There are only Samoan newspapers. However, the Sunday newspaper of New Zealand is also available.
Nudity
Forget it! Nakedness is unwanted in Samoa - and this always applies for a quick change of clothes after swimming. You will destroy each good impression you have made before....
Photography / films
Films are usually substantially more expensive, in addition often very old. Therefore, it is better to bring along films and accessories such as batteries. Because of the sharp sun exposure you should bring along a UV or a polar filter. Photographs of people should not be taken without asking them first.
Physician and pharmacies
The traveler with health insurance finds fast medical assistance in the private hospital, the MedCen, in Apia/Upolu. Dental treatments are also available there. Savai'i has two hospitals and a private physician. The medical assistance is competent. On Samoa, there are only 3 pharmacies. All Savai'i medicines are available at the hospital. The medicine supplies are limited, however very low-priced. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to be bring special medicines in sufficient quantity.
Police
The generally friendly police are used to people responding to their arrangements. In the case of having any doubt, always remain friendly.
Post Office
There are Post Offices at Salolologa and Fagamalo on Savai'i and in Apia. Some villages have a small post office. The cost of postage to Europe is very reasonable, a simple airport letter costs only 2 Tala, approximately 0.40 to 0.80 Euro. Post office run times: air mail to Europe 10-14 days, ship mail three to six months.
Rental cars
It is the law that the Transport Control Board in Apia or Salelolga will need to validate your driver's licence for 10 WST. One is also now able to rent a car on Savai'i.
Samoan language
As a visitor you will probably not be able to learn the Samoan language, because the words and grammar are strange. Remember: the letter G is spoken as NG.
| English | Samoan |
| Yes | Ioe |
| No | Leai |
| Please | Fa'amolemole |
| Thank you | Fa'afetai |
| Maybe | Masalo |
| Tomorrow | Taeao |
| Hello | Talofa |
| Good bye | Tofa/Faa soifua |
| Good night | Manuia le po |
Sharks
Within the seam reef in the lagoon there are no sharks. Divers are however glad to see sharks outside of the reefs. These are usually relatively harmless types.
Taxi
Taxis charge a minimum of 2Tala. A copy of the taxi fare rate can be obtained from the Transport Control Board. Always ask for the taxi fare to a certain place before you agree to that taxi fare.
Telephone
Pre-selection to Samoa: 00685. Phoning from Samoa to Europe, cost about 1 Euro per minute. From the telephone office it is expensive, about 4 Euro for 3 minutes. Public telephones are only in the village post offices. European mobile phones do not function (no GSM 900/1800).
Tips
Tipping is not encouraged or expected in Samoa. However, a contribution to school fees is an acceptable gift.
Toplessness
This is not acceptable in Samoa. Therefore the ladies should not go topless. In the city it is also recommended for the men to wear a shirt.
Transvestites
A little are smiled at, but never met with hostility. They belong to the normal everyday life. They were called Fafafines = would gladly be woman. There is no discrimination against them. Only when they go out, they are more noticeable - dressing up in attractive clothing, make-up etc. - thus watch out: the most beautiful women are often........
Travel guide
It is very difficult to find an up-to-date Travel guide for Samoa. There is the "Lonely planet Samoa" in english of 1998, where one can find useful information.
Travel time
The best travel time is from April to September. The Samoan winter has temperatures of 30 degrees during the day and 25 degrees at night with some rain. From October to March it is damper and more stifling. The temperatures are the same.
Pests
Samoa is in the Tropics. Mosquitoes and flies swarm strongly. Mosquito repellant should be in the luggage. For sleeping, there are mosquito nets.
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