WinginIt
Apr 22, 03, 1:34 pm
Haven't got my Lonely Planet yet and I'm looking for some first hand information.
Two friends and I are going in July and would like suggestions of where to stay, must sees, etc. We are budget minded and travel with backpacks, not roll-a-boards.
Any information would be great.
Also.... does anyone know if there is boat service from Pago Pago to Apia?
Thanks!
obscure2k
Apr 22, 03, 2:20 pm
Pick up a copy of "The Happy Isles of Oceana" by Paul Theroux. Pretty sure it is available in P.B. You'll gain a lot of insight into Samoa and it's culture. It's a great book and a must-read for anyone traveling to the South Pacific.
I was there just a year ago.
There is no need that you spend too much time in Apia. Valentine Parker Motel is a good and reasonably priced accomodation in Apia (40 T/night with breakfast), although it's a bit out of the way. Don't miss the local market with all the local handmade artifacts. Kava bowls are really beautiful, all hand carved.
My advice is that you take a bus to Mulifanua wharf and take the boat to Savaii (7 T OW)and stay at one of the beach fale resorts (Tanu Beach, Sevenson's) in Manase.
They are all at the same price and along the same beach and charge about 50T/day with breakfast and dinner.
The food is delicious, the beach is absolutely beautiful and the place is very quiet and isolated. You will get a lot more for your money than in Apia.
The locals in Western Samoa are all very nice people, although totally different from Hawaiians, Tahitians or Cook Islanders. Samoan is spoken everywhere as well as English.