We decided to spend our Christmas break in Samoa and that was the best idea ! Samoa is an incredible island (actually 2 islands, but I’ll get back to it) with a strong culture.
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I spent an amazing holiday,
out of time. Out of time because precisely we took time to take time. We took time to enjoy life and enjoy all the simple things life gives you. Embracing all those new experiences and interactions with the incredible persons you meet that make you richer every time. But we also enjoyed all that Nature offers us. And man, how
Nature has a lot to offer !
We lived 2 weeks like the Samoan, meaning simply and fully lived, enjoying it all, slowing down from the stress of the busy life, relaxing and being away from civilisation (understand : we spent 2 weeks without WiFi and it felt amazing!). What I really loved about Samoa is the fact that it’s not a touristic place, and the island kept its authentic culture and people, as the Samoan traditions are really strong. Thus, it is a perfect break in paradise !
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If you go to Samoa, I strongly advise you to stay (at least!) 2 weeks to have time to explore both islands and enjoy all that Samoa has to offer (paradise beaches, waterfalls, good food…) without rushing it !
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Upolu
Upolu is the main island of Samoa. It’s the busiest island, with Apia, the capital.
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Apia
Apia is the capital and main city of Samoa. It’s a quite busy city, but you are never really far from the sea. There, you have different things to do and you’ll find lots of shops, restaurants as well as taxis and buses. Indeed, that’s where all the buses start, and to go from one point to another, even if they are both on the South coast, you’ll have to go back to Apia to change buses, so take it into account while planning your itinerary!
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We arrived there and stayed at Olivia’s Accommodation. It’s a great place, where you can rent a room with air con (so it can be a good idea, to have time to get used to the hot – and humid – temperatures!) and the breakfast is included. We paid 65WST per person (1 WST – called tala – is approximately 0.50 NZD, so quite easy to convert mentally !). If you arrive in Apia, they can arrange a shuttle to pick you up from the airport (25 WST per person) or you can take a taxi (it’ll cost you around 60 WST).
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That was the only hotel we booked, after that we wanted to go with the flow, and that is totally doable, even during the Christmas holidays which is the busiest time as all the Samoans living abroad (usually in Australia or New Zealand) come back home to spend Christmas with their family. Christmas is really important for them and it was great to be able to experience this time of the year there !
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For breakfast you’ll have toasts, fresh fruits, coffee and sweet grass infusion made from the sweet grass of the garden, and it’s really good (for the taste and for your body! ).
From there, you can go to all the main points of interest either by walking or by taxi.
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Samoa Cultural Village
During the week (Tuesday to Thursday) you can go to the Samoa Cultural Village for a free tour that starts at 10.30am and lasts around 2 hours. This is a great way to discover Apia and the Samoan culture. You’ll be able to learn more about the Fa’a Samoa – the Samoan way, and assist to a dance show, a tattoo ceremony or food preparation. Unfortunately, the tour wasn’t organised during Christmas as it was the holidays, so we couldn’t do it.
The Immaculate Conception Cathedral is just in front of the Samoa Cultural Village and is really beautiful : from the outside, but also on the inside !
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Palolo Deep Marine Reserve
The Palolo Deep Marine Reserve is a really nice spot to spend a afternoon chilling on the beach, enjoy the shadow in the beach huts (or please your inner child by playing on the swings!) but also a good place to go for snorkelling. You can bring your own gear or rent it there.
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Robert Louis Stevenson Museum
Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish writer (who wrote Treasure Island) who came to Samoa because he was sick and wanted to live in a warm place. He bought a big house in Apia that is now a museum. You can enter it for 20 WST, then walk into his huge garden or walk to the top of the mount where he’s buried (and from where you have a beautiful view). Unfortunately, that day it was raining so we haven’t made it to the top. There is also a natural pool if you feel like swimming
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Papase’ea Sliding rocks
The Papase’ea Sliding rocks is at 15 minutes drive from Apia. As its name suggests, it’s rock on which you can slide down to a fall. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to go there as it was raining the day we wanted to go (but I won’t complain, we only had 2 days of rain while December/January is supposed to be the wet season), so I don’t have pictures of this place, but it looks like a fun place to go !
To enter, you’ll have to pay 20WST. Indeed, in Samoa, every place is owned by locals so you have to pay a small fee for everywhere you go (beaches, waterfalls…)
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Enjoy a traditional Samoan meal
We were lucky to spend Christmas in a Samoan family. It was a great experience ! The Samoans have a lot of respect for traditions and family. So for the meal you have the chief of the village, the sub-chiefs and their family. You are all seated on the floor in their fale (their typical house, without walls), everyone having a defined spot, and you all eat together.. And when I say you “eat”, what I mean is “you devour” the food as it’s delicious ! (and you have a lot of meals to choose from… or to try them all, like I did ! )
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Among all the great Samoan food we tried, my favourite is the Palusami (taro leaves with coconut cream – they love coconut in Samoa, so I was at cloud 9, because remember how I love coconut ? ) and the Oka (raw fish marinated in… coconut milk !). All of it is always served with fresh fruits (the Samoan flora is really rich – for our biggest pleasure!) including the breadfruit which tastes a little bit like artichoke. Remember this name as you’ll find breadfruit everywhere, and you’ll eat it in any way (slightly cooked, fried…) and they also use its juice to make their traditional siapo (clothes) – so yes, it’s a really useful fruit! You’ll also find a lot of papayas, coconuts (yaaay!) or pineapples.
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Speaking of coconuts, the Samoan call the coconut trees “tree of life” as you can make everything from it : you can eat it, you can drink the coconut milk, you can use the coconut oil for the skin or the hair… So yes, they really are big fans of coconuts too !
