Through the eyes - Ruakaka Beach

Samoa on a jandle strap

As a resident of the south pacific, we often take our neighbours for granted,they immigrate to our country and we have no idea of the lives they have left behind.  In the last year I have made a conscious decision to get out and get to know my neighbours and Samoa has been a high priority.

Samoa is split into 2 islands, Upolu and Savaii with upolu harbouring apia as its capital and the island of trade, Savaii is much larger however and boasts a slower pace of life, some say “the real Samoa”.

Arriving into Samoa you are immediately hit by the heat, in the middle of the year it can sit anywhere between 30 and 38 degrees and it is goddam HOT!  Do not pack anything that resembles long sleeves, pants or shoes...you will not need it ever.  On leaving faleola airport expect to be bombarded by taxi players, shuttle buses and people trying to sell you food and coffee.  If heading into apia you can generally catch a shuttle for around 30 tala per person, if you are heading to the wharf to head over to Savaii you shouldn’t be forking out anything more than 15 tala.

Apia is like any other city in a country, a city is a city is a city.  There is nothing fantastic about it, if you must go, get in and get out as fast as you can but make sure you stop off at any of the market places and taste the local delicacies on offer in the food court.  Banana pancakes for 10cents and fried pork buns (or what me and my trusty sidekick now call "pie buns") for 1tala.  They'll  leave you satisified and with a new found fatty addiction.