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Conservation organisations provide funding to ensure the rainforests at Tafua and Falealupo on Savaii are protected and maintained. Semi-centennial celebrations This year is a great time to visit as 2012 is Celebrate Samoa year where the nation marks its 50th anniversary of independence. Samoa's official independence day is 1 June but festivals and events are scheduled throughout the year. These include the International Game Fishing Tournament in April, The Samoan Tatau (tattoo) Festival in June and Palolo Rise in October. For a full listing of events, go to www.samoa.travel Starting in 2012, Samoa will also shift to the west of the International Dateline to align itself with the rest of the Pacific region. They are now one hour ahead of New Zealand and three hours ahead of Australia. As such, Samoa is now one of the first nations to greet each New Year. 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. Other places to visit include the Tiavi Falls, the O Le Pupu Pu'e National Park and Papaseea with its smooth rocks that are fun to slide down and swim in the pools beneath. Also 214 www.paradisesonline.com worth seeing is Piula Cave pool in the grounds of the Methodist Theological College. Where to stay Accommodation ranges from international standard to traditional fales (bungalows). Villagers will negotiate private rates as well as home accommodation for budget travellers. Getting around The two islands have more than 1800 kilometres of road between them. In Apia there are taxis and rental cars available. Discovery Rentals has a wide range of vehicles and offers a free pick up and delivery service to most hotels. For those who want to go island hopping, flights between Apia and Savaii leave daily, or to go by ferry takes around two hours. Food and entertainment The main hotels have restaurants and Samoan feasts or 'fiafia' nights are held at the larger resorts on a weekly basis. Entertainment includes traditional Polynesian singing and dancing. There are also several clubs and cocktail bars in Apia. Activities Sporting facilities include golf, tennis, squash, lawn bowls, netball, rugby, soccer, and Samoan cricket. There are also numerous marine activities including swimming, snorkelling and diving. Apia hosted the South Pacific Games in 2007 and the aquatic