Pacific Island Paradises

– 162 – www.paradises.com — S a m o a — Samoa is located halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. Its natural wonders include waterfalls, mountains, volcanoes and miles of secluded beaches. Capital and major centres Samoa is made up of ten islands, of which Savaii is the largest. Its neighbour, Upolu is the most populated and the location of the capital, Apia, along with the international airport, the seat of government and the centre of commerce. Savaii is dotted with secluded beaches and crowned at the centre by the 1858 metre Mt Silisili. The main entry point into Samoa is Falelolo International Airport, 35 km from Apia. Currency exchanges are open for all international f light arrivals and departures. Airport shuttles are provided to the major hotels which can be booked prior to arrival or organised after clearing Customs. Taxis are also available but it's recommended to confirm the price to your destination with the driver before you depart. The people Samoans are the largest group of full- blooded Polynesians in the world and have retained much of their ancient culture. Their practice of fa'a Samoa, (the Samoan Way), is a living culture that centres around the family unit and love and respect for all. Their tradition of tattooing is an intricate art and has been a cultural right of passage for generations. Many Samoans proudly display complex symbolic designs from the lower chest to the knees. History These islands were first settled about 1000 BC and are accepted as the heart of the Polynesian culture. In 1768, Louis de Bougainville sighted Samoa and named them 'The Navigator Islands' because of the many Samoans sailing small canoes far from the sight of land. During the 18th century, vast plantations producing copra and cotton were developed for export and Apia became a major commercial centre in the South Pacific. Samoa was annexed by Germany from 1899 to 1914 and then by New Zealand from 1914 until 1962, when Western Samoa finally gained self government. The 'Western' was dropped from its official name in 1997. Although Samoan is the native language, English is widely spoken. Nature Both islands are rich in fauna and f lora. Savaii has lush tropical rainforests, housing many exotic bird species. Conservation organisations provide funding to ensure the rainforests at Tafua and Falealupo on Savaii are protected and maintained. Samoa's climate is tropical all year round, with two distinct seasons— the dry season running from May to October and the wet season from November to April. The average daily temperature is 29º C and the ocean is warm enough to swim all year round. The sights The Scottish writer, Robert Louis Stevenson brought his family to live at Upolu in 1890 and built a large home in the foothills above Apia, where he spent his last years. Stevenson was known as 'Tusitala' (the storyteller) and he is buried on the crest of Mt Vaea. His home is now a magnificent museum and offers tours rich in detail S A M O A Apia Mt Silisili Falealupo Tafua SAVAII UPOLU

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