"The Island of Stunning Beaches" Independant State of Samoa by wcph

Some information:

Area: 2,944 sq km

Best time to go: during the dry season between May and October

Capital: Apia

Currency: Samoan Tala (WST)

Independence: 1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship)

Languages: Samoan (Polynesian), English

Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Religions: Christian

Visas: not required

Arrival & Departure: Faleolo airport is 35km west of Apia in Upolu. You can take a taxi or shuttle bus (10 talas) to your hotel. There was a departure tax of 40 talas (not included in ticket).

The sights:

Upolu is the main island in Samoa. The following is a round island tour that I did (approximately 8 hours duration) by hiring a taxi from Apia:

Piula Cave Pool (photo in album)

Falefa Falls

Le Mafa Pass

Lalomanu Beach (photo on the left)

Vavau Beach (photo above)

Sapoaga Waterfall (photo in album)

Togitogiga Waterfall (photo in album)

Papaseea Sliding Rock

There were organized island tours (cost: 90 talas). These run daily but with four people minimum.

My impressions:

The beaches were gorgeous and clean. However, almost all were private so an entrance fee (between 10 to 20 talas) was required for each. The famous Return to Paradise Beach had the highest fee.

People were friendly and I felt very safe there. There were very few tourists.

Although it was the dry season, the weather was hot and very humid. Luckily I made sure that the taxi I hired had air conditioning.

I stayed at Hotel Elisa (photo in album) which opened in December 2004. The rooms were new and clean.

Costs mentioned above are current as of October 2005.