Friday 21st June. Yes we are in Samoa. We arrived in Apia on Monday, went through the arrival procedure and went to the information centre where we were treated to a cultural dance and food. We got all the brochures and spent the next day sorting what to do and see.
After looking around town and getting some internet data, we discovered that when catching a bus, if the bus is full you just go and sit on someone’s knee or expect to be sat on. Andrew thought that was great, you find a beautiful Samoan woman to sit on his lap. Not so good when a large Samoan woman wants to sit on his lap.
We hired a car for a couple of days to get around Upolo Island (the main Samoan island).
Our first stop was Piula Cave Pool. Unfortunately an earthquake a few years ago collapsed the cave stopping anyone from swimming through. We then followed the coast road, meeting some of the locals and getting some fresh papaya straight from the tree, along with some fresh cucumbers. Because of the South Pacific games next month many of the villages have signs up along with coloured flags welcoming the team they are hosting.
We continued our drive to the eastern side to Lalomanu beach where we had lunch at a resort. Next on the itinerary was Sua Ocean Trench. A giant sink hole with a lava tube creating an underwater cave entrance. The climb down into the sink hole was via a giant ladder. We hadn’t taken our masks so we didn’t attempt swimming out to the ocean, so we just swam in the clear water (note the steps are very steep and if you enter this attraction and decide you can’t do it and go back out within a few minutes, they still charge you the 20 Tala). Sue stood and argued (after all there was no information or warning about the steepness of the stairs, nor any notice prior to paying the fee), and they got the Manager on the phone and agreed to refund it.
Day two started with a short Bush walk to the Ma Tree followed by a look at the coastal walk (the heat of the day making it too hard to complete). 2km down the road was Togitogaiga Waterfalls. A great, cool water stop. 15 minutes west we found the Ocean Club (between Sinalei and Coconut Beach resorts). This was a delightful stop where we had lunch (one of the best so far) and relaxed before heading back over the mountain to Apia.
Today we left Upolo for the Samoan island of Savai’i
