Sizzling Samoa

1. What country and city did you travel to?
Samoa- I stayed on the island Upolu, just short of a village in Sl’umu which is south of Apia.

2. What time of the year did you travel?

January, “Wet Season” – it was surprisingly beautiful for a wet-season. The sun was beaming for 90% of the day and within a few minutes clouds rolled in and it rained (sometimes poured) for about 10-30 minutes. However- the rain was actually hot.

3. Where did you stay?

Beautiful ‘Coconuts Beach & Spa Resort’. It was a picturesque location which fabulous hospitality services. A+ definitely recommended- the people were beautiful!

4. What was your favourite location?

Hands down- The Piula Cave Pool. A few words come to mind when thinking of the cave pool: Stunning, wonder of the earth and breathless. This stunning location is a unique cave pool, and connects two caves via a small underwater entrance. Natural beauty!
This delight is hidden below a historic Methodist Churh on the ground of a college. It is tricky to find while navigating yourself but just ask the locals.





The Cave Pool

5. What was your favourite activity?

Again- Samoa offers another natural wonder- ‘The Papaseea Sliding Rocks’ is a crazy fun activity for any adventurous soul. The sliding rocks are a series of small waterfalls that you are able to sit down on and slide down. Sounds and it looks scary but it is crazy fun.






Sliding Rocks

6. Name a song that framed your trip? Or reminds you of your trip?

On a day tour in Samoa on the infamous ‘Skippy’ bus- the bus driver played My Humps by the Black Eyed Peas. A classic that to this day still reminds me my trip to Samoa.


7. List the 5 words you need to know in that country?

It is relatively simple and easy to get by in Samoa as most people are able to communicate in English with you. Everyone speaks with such kindness and energy it’s a wonderful change.


Hello- Talofa!

Thank you- Faafetai (Fa-ah-fe-tie)

Beer- Valima (This is the name of the locally brewed beer) ** Essential to know!

Cheers- Manuia!

Please- Fa'amolemole (Fa-ah-mo-le-mo-le)


8. Words of Warning

Don’t drink too much Kava or ava! And also take care in the Apia markets.


9. List 3 essential clothing items

Samoa, even though it was wet season, its absolutely essential to have

• Bikini/swimmers/bathers/boardshorts/dick-stickers or all of the above.
• Sarong to “jazz” your beach look up for dinner or lunch-
• Thongs- The road gets HOT!

10. List 3 essential personal items

• Camera- #1 essential item because everything is picturesque
• Sunscreen
• Good reading book

11. Currency convertor
1 AUD = 2.4 Samoa TalaSamoa is relatively cheap- especially compared to Sydney prices.

12. Name one thing that is highly recommended by you -which is also great value for money
Highly higly recommend an organised day tour of the Upolu Island. Our resort management were kind enough to set one up for a group of 10 of us but I’m sure there are organised tours. We visitied a large chunk of fabulous placed including; The Papalaua Falls, The Pilua Cave Pool, Papaseea Sliding Rocks, the Apia markets, a freshly cooked picnic lunch, snorkeling off the shore and a few other spontaneous activities which were all brilliant.

13. Traditional food that you recommend to try
Kava- a traditional Kava root drink- the first go tastes a bit like dirt mixed with water. After 2 or 3 your mouth goes numb!

14. Something to push your boundaries
Surfing on the reef- if you are a sportswoman or man (like myself) give this a whirl. You may come home wounding a few reef cuts but its all for the experience. We saw turtles while doing it.





Written for you- by Lauren.

Love,

The Travel Buggers.