Independant State of Samoa Things to Do Tips by Groverdean

A definite must do when visiting Apia. The homestead has been well restored through much work and money and the garden surrounds are equally as magnificent. Entry fee is 15 Tala which may seem expensive, however it comes with a tour of the museum. The famous Scotish author spent the last 5 years of his life in Samoa where he died at the age of 44. His health was dogged by his struggles with Teburculosus in his younger years. The idea was to escape to the warmer climate which made it easier for him to breath. He is buried on nearby Mt Vaea. you can walk to his grave although it is a steep 45 minute hike. Something I wasnt keen on doing in the wet as well. I was told the views of Apia and the surrounds are excellent if you do indeed make the effort to hike to the top of Mt Vaea!

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Phone: 20798
Address: Vialima
Directions: Located about 4kms inland of Apia off the cross island road
Website: http://www.rlsmuseum.com/

OK so here you have a series of waterfalls that have caused the rock to become wonderfully smooth over many thousands/millions (whatever it is) years! Sounds like fun? I had a hoot. I was visiting in the dry season so the water level was extremely low and the other tourists who had come along with me where not game enough. Pictured is me sliding down the largest waterfall at about 6 metres, something I did about 5 times in total. Suggest the best time of year to visit would be wet season ie. December-May. Cost is 2 Tala. There are many stairs to get you down and back to the falls. They're a bit slippery so be careful!
Suggest getting a tour or a taxi here and get them to wait, as its 2kms off the main road.

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Address: About 15 mins drive from Apia

Cost to get in is 2 Tala. Throughout Samoa fresh water springs flow out at the sea due to the geological nature of the islands. Piula is unique due to the many caves which can be explored. It's a nice spot though unfortunately when I visited there were about 3 football teams visiting at the same time so it was well packed!

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Directions: Piula is about 18 kms east of Apia

These pretty little falls are located just off the main road east of Falefa village. Be careful when taking pictures here as the viewing platform has no reinforcements!

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Directions: Further east of the village of Falefa. You will see a bridge to the right of the main road. Drive over it for the best vantage point.

The beach here is the longest and sandiest of all beaches I saw on Upolu island. There are several places that offer places to stay in Fales. The snorkelling here is also good, although I did prefer just swimming in the lovely turquoise waters and lying on the beach!

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Directions: Located at the far south-east of Upolu island

This is a really lovely secluded spot that is out of the way and therefore not many tourists will get the chance to visit. For those romantically inclined a visit/stay comes highly recommended. You can stay in a Fale here as well. Contact details for Vava'u Beach Fales I have listed below.

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Phone: 26940
Directions: On the south coast of Upolu. Take the rocky road down the hill off the main road to the Vauv'a Beach Fale.

There's a lovely garden and viewing place for overlooking the falls. You can have a picnic here. The cost to enter the area is 6 Tala and well worth it. The gorge where the falls come out is quite sizeable. All island tours will take you here as it's a very beautiful spot!

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Address: on Le Mafa Pass Road
Directions: located not far from the turnoff to the south Main Road

These are the most spectacular falls in Samoa. At 100m high they are well worth a look and must be a great sight in wet season (it was dry season when I visited for this picture).

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Address: On the Cross Island Road
Directions: Keep an eye out for the sign post for the falls on your right hand side when driving from Apia to the south coast. It's apporximately 2.5 kms past the Baha'i temple.

As you traverse the roads of Samoa you will often see this strange soft white pimply fruit growing in trees. This is the Noni Fruit which is now become wildly popular as a health drink in many Western countries! You may even pass an overloaded truck filled with picked Noni.
When you pull one apart the smell is quite unappealing. I must remember to go to the local health food shop and try some. The health benefits are well documented with some Samoans living well over 100 years recorded and having claimed Noni was the main contributing factor! See the following website for lots of good info on Noni - http://www.medicinehunter.com/noni1.htm .

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Manase is a popular low key destination for many tourists. The beach here is lovely as is the snorkelling and water. Manase has been voted Samoa's best kept village on 3 ocassions and it is easy to see why. This is one of the best places anywhere in the world to get away from it all and just hang out on a beach. It is a wonderfully tranquil part of the world and you can even base your stay here for the purpose of exploring Savai'i. Many of the Fale businesses offer tours of the island depending on the numbers that wish to go.

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Directions: Located on the far north part of Savai'i