ttglive.com
out these superstitions, as did the German colonialists who briefly ruled Samoa, but one European settler defended their culture and they loved him for it. They called Robert Louis Stevenson “Tusitala” (Teller of Tales). His mansion at Vailima, near Apia, is now a museum and the only major attraction around the capital. He wrote several books there from 1890 until his death in 1894. In a Stevenson story called The Ebb-Tide, a character called Attwater is asked why he came to the South Seas. He replies: “Youth, curiosity, romance, love of the sea and an interest in missions.”
It may be one of the remotest places on earth, but these are still good reasons to visit Samoa in the 21st century.
OPERATORS. Samoa’s beaches are its main draw, but culture is another
main appeal is sun, beaches, watersports and nature. There are blowholes on the coast of Savaii and waterfalls on both main islands, but the mountainous interiors are accessible only to trekkers.
Upolu, the most populated island and entry point, has the best beaches along its south coast. The area was devastated by a tsunami in September 2009, but most resorts reopened within a few months. Savaii, reached by a 90-minute ferry crossing, has one main road around its perimeter and no sizeable towns. It’s a true tropical getaway with small-scale resorts, kids, cats, pigs and chickens running about. Samoa’s location against the International Date Line means Cape Mulinuu on Savaii’s western tip is the last place on earth where the sun sets each day. It’s a place of legend, and many Samoans will not come here after dark because of spirits. Twice a year, demons are said to emerge from the sea and walk up a hill as all the dogs start barking. No doubt the missionaries tried to drive
The Samoa Tourism Authority lists nine UK operators to the islands, but some are direct- sell only. Samoa is usually part of a tailor- made holiday with Fiji, the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, New Zealand or Australia.
Go coco-nuts: Agent-friendly Transpacific offers a 12-night holiday-only to Samoa, with seven nights at Coconuts Beach Club on Upolu followed by five nights at Le Lagoto Resort on Savaii, from £2,439.
transpacificholidays.co.uk
Tailor-made: A typical tailor-made tour by Jetset includes three nights in Los Angeles, four nights at Aggie Grey’s Hotel in Samoa,
australasia knowledge
three nights in Auckland and four nights in Hong Kong from £1,989, all on Air New Zealand flights.
jetset-holidays.co.uk
FLIGHTS. Air New Zealand: This airline is the main carrier with weekly direct flights from Los Angeles to Apia (10 hours and 15 minutes), connecting with Heathrow departures on Tuesdays. Fares start at £1,018 return. It also offers daily flights from Auckland (four hours), from £264 return.
airnewzealand.co.uk
Air Pacific: Operates flights from Fiji (including connections from Hong Kong), and a weekly direct flight from Honolulu.
airpacific.com
Polynesian Blue: Flies from Sydney (six hours and 30 minutes) and Auckland.
polynesianblue.com
HOTELS.
Samoa has about a dozen hotels of interna- tional standard and lots of wooden fale resorts on stilts, without private bathrooms, where you sleep on a mattress. Luxury fale accommodation is available at some resorts.
Family-run: Le Manumea on the outskirts of Apia is typical of Samoa’s small, family- run resort hotels, with 12 rooms and bathrooms open to the stars.
manumearesort.com
Boutique: Le Lagoto is Savaii’s top boutique property, with its own beach and a choice of apartments or fale-style accommodation.
lelagoto.ws
MORE INFO Alofaaga Blowholes, Savaii island
Samoa Tourism Authority UK & Ireland Tel: 020 8877 4512 Agent training website:
sellsamoa.com
22.10.2010
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