Page 146 - Pacific Paradises 2019

— Samoa —

UPOLU

The gateway to Samoa, Upolu is O Le Pupu-Pui National Park contains everything from clubs and kava bowls
home to the international airport, Samoa’s highest mountain, Mt. Fito to lava lavas (the Samoan sarong),
the capital city, Apia, and the bulk at 1100 metres as well as Togitogiga baskets, jewellery and authentic
of the country’s population. Falls and some good hiking trails. Samoan music.
Papapapai-Tai Falls, with a 100 metre
Upolu’s coast is surrounded by white drop makes these very spectacular falls. The famous Scottish author Robert
Louis Stevenson, famed for classic
sand beaches and blue lagoons. One The Papase’ea Sliding Rocks are just books such as Treasure Island and
of Samoa’s most pristine beaches, six kilometres southwest of Apia. Soft Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr
Lalomanu Beach on the southeastern tip vegetation under the water makes it Hyde, spent his final years in Samoa.
of the island with its translucent lagoon, possible to easily slide down the falls He was known by the local people as
is a protected marine reserve, teeming into the natural pool below. The idyllic Tusitala, Samoan for ‘teller of tales’. His
with a magnitude of tropical fish species To Sua Ocean Trench attracts those beautiful mansion Vailima has been
and marine life. keen to enjoy a surreal swim in a giant converted into a museum set within
swimming hole.
Just a little further north, head off lush gardens and is open to the public.
to Namua Island and swim with the Samoa’s capital, Apia is home to 38,000
endangered green turtle in its natural inhabitants. Situated on a natural Visitors can also visit his grave located
ocean environment. South of Lalomanu harbour, just 40 kilometres from Faleolo at the top of Mt. Vaea, along a trail
there’s even more fauna to explore, International Airport, Apia is the perfect named by the locals as “The Road of
including the seabird nesting grounds place to acclimatise to island life, pick up the Loving Heart”.
on Nuutele Island. From behind the some souvenirs, and immerse yourself in The locals are famously hospitable
hospital at Lalomanu you can take a the cultural heritage and proud history and the city is easily explored by foot.
short guided walk to an extinct volcanic of Samoa. Apia has a great nightlife, everything
crater, which happens to be home to a from busy pubs, nightclubs to cultural
whole army of flying foxes. The colourful Maketi Fou (food market) shows and excellent restaurants, where
on Apia’s Fugalei Street, is a good place you can sing, dance and enjoy fresh
Upolu’s interior exudes a very special to stock up on fresh fruit like pawpaws Samoan cuisine.
and mystic charm. There are numerous or a bunch of sweet little ladyfinger
tracks that lead deep through lush bananas. About a 10-minute walk from In addition to hotels in Apia there are
rainforests to a number or rivers and the food market is the flea market, the some good resorts, guest houses and
dramatically beautiful waterfalls. perfect souvenir haunt where you’ll find fales on the island.

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