Page 144 - Pacific Paradises 2019

— Samoa —

season running from May to October and the wet season from
November to April. The average daily temperature is
29ºC and the ocean is warm enough to swim all year round.
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 and offers tours
rich in detail of Stevenson’s life by local guides. Other places
to visit include the Tiavi Falls, also known as Papapapaitai, the
O Le Pupu Pu’e National Park and Papaseea with its smooth
rocks which are fun to slide down and swim in the pools
beneath. Also worth seeing is Piula Cave pool in the grounds
of the Methodist Theological College, and not forgetting the
popular To Sua Trench located at the south east coast of Upolu
Island. No matter which direction you go, you will regularly
pass through nu’u or villages with their distinctive and lovingly
decorated churches, large meeting houses and open fales or
homes encircling the malae or village green.
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.
Where to stay
Accommodation ranges from international standard to

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