Samoa - Pearl of the Pacific

Honolulu, Hawaii 26.2.2015
Kelowna, Canada 23.3.2015

Samoa, the place where we had the best two consecutive weeks of our trip so far. It was all we had been dreaming about. A true Pacific paradise island.

Samoa has two bigger islands from a total of ten islands where most of the people live.The population of Samoan living in Samoa is nearly the same as Samoans living abroad. The main islands are Upolu (where the capital Apia is) and Savaii. We spent roughly one week on each.

As soon as we arrived in Apia we noticed that this is a friendly place. The airport had no other planes and was just next to the ocean. A band singing was greeting us at the baggage claim like in movies. We had booked a hostel in Apia for two days and the city was visited quickly. It was low season and we saw almost no tourists at all. Locals greet you on the street and ask where are you going so that they could help you. Very friendly feeling.

After Apia we left to the South-East part of Upolu to Saleapaga village. We stayed there for three nights. Our fale (kind of open bungalow) was right on the beach with spectacular views of the ocean. The only sound was the sound of waves that hit the coral reef more far away. The beach was nice and we snorkled easily from any point. In this part we probably saw one of the most impressive sunsets. From this location we were able to visit the famous To Sua Ocean Trench which was Monica's dream. It was awesome. The site also had rock pools and blowholes to discover. The trench was so peaceful that there one felt reborn. Just amazing.

Our fale in Saleapaga.

To Sua Ocean Trench.

From Saleapaga we left to the North-West of the island and tried to have a diving session. The place was closed and since low season we later found out that it opens only around March/April. Then we left to the other main island Savaii. We had heard of a nice place called Joelin's on the East coast and so we got there, by bus. We encountered on the road many taxi drivers that stated no buses are driving there but after two minutes the bus came. Taxi drivers are the only unreliable in Samoa, since they are the same everywhere. We stayed in Lano right on the beach with only coconut palms and stunning waters. In the morning when we woke up early, we say even seaturtles swimming. The place we stayed was all-inclusive with good local food and ridiculously cheap. True heaven for backpackers. But this was like a holiday from all traveling.

Our fale in Lano.

Afa-Aau waterfall in South Savaii.

Blowholes in Savaii.

Lava fields in North-East Savaii.

We swam with green seaturtles.

Our backyard.

We spent six nights in Savaii discovering waterfalls, blowholes, jungle, lava fields, seaturtles and snorkeling. Absolutely recommendable and we will go back - some day. We met also really nice people to hang out with.

Finally we had to go back to the main island Upolu. We stayed again in Apia and visited sites from there, for example the Papapapatai waterfall that is higher than 100 meters. Since buses go with no schedule it usually took all day to move around. And we had to hitchhike back to town.

In Apia one of the weirdest thing was the FaFa-night. It is part of Samoan culture where men dress as women and have a show. It was hilarious. We met a Samoa-Swedish family in the show and we were with them when suddenly the men / women from stage took Johannes on stage with them. Everybody was laughing so much! He survived and happily we have few pictures to remind of the happenings.

Main bus station in Apia.

Papapapatai waterfall.

Fishmarket in Apia. Try the fish&chips, you get tuna and barracuda..!

Every morning at 8am the police department have a morning concert 🎶

Legendary FaFa night / Diva night!

We visited Samoa in rainy season and so in low season. It rained for a while almoat every day but after it changed quickly to too sunny and hot. The sun was really strong. In Apia/Upolu it rained every day but in Savaii only a couple of times in a week.

Altogether our impression of Samoa was positive and very relaxed in a good way. Especially Savaii is unique and total heaven for relaxation. Beautiful nature and beautiful people.