Samoa
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Location
Samoa, formerly Western Samoa, is in the South Pacific Ocean about 2,200 mi (3,540 km) south of Hawaii. The larger islands in the Samoan chain, Upolu and Savai'i, are mountainous and of volcanic origin. There is little level land except in the coastal areas, where most cultivation takes place.
People
Samoa is a traditional Polynesian society and for the most part, the people have retained a fierce pride in their cultural heritage. Fa'a Samoa – the Samoan Way – continues to play a vital role in village and community life.
Language
Samoan is the national language, although English is the official language of business and English is widely spoken, but you’ll find the following Samoan words useful to learn:
Hello = Talofa (Tah-low-fah)Goodbye = Tofa (Tow-fah)
Thank you = Fa'afetai (Far-ah-fay-tie)
Please = Fa'amolemole (Fah-ah-mor-le-mor-le)
Yes = Ioe (Ee-oh-e)
No = Leai (Le-ah)
Maybe = Masalo (Mar-sar-lo)
Tomorrow = Taeao (Tah-e-ao)
Goodnight = Manuia le po (Mah-nooh-ya-leh-poh)
How are you? = O a mai oe? (O-ah-my-o-he)
I am hungry = Fia ai (Fear-ah-ee)
Population
181,528 (2008)
Village Life
There are over 362 villages in Samoa with a total of 18,000 matai (chiefs). Villages are made up of customary land owned by extended family units called aiga, whose head is a matai. Traditional authority is vested in the village matai. The central structure in each village is the church as well as the Fale Fono, where the chiefs meet to discuss village matters.
Village Protocol
- 'Fa'a Samoa' has a strong focus on welcoming visitors, and you'll find Samoans are friendly and hospitable hosts. However, be mindful of local protocol when you enter villages and use village resources, including the beaches.
- Avoid walking through villages during the evening prayer curfew (usually between 6pm and 7pm). This usually lasts for 10 to 20 minutes and is often marked at the beginning and end by a bell or the blowing of a conch shell.
- Respect Sunday. Samoans observe Sunday as a day of rest and while many visitor attractions are open, you are expected to behave quietly and to travel slowly through the villages.
- Skimpy clothing is not recommended in villages. If you are staying in a village, it may even result in a fine for your hosts.
- Nude or topless (for women) swimming or sunbathing is not allowed.
- Women are recommended to wear a lavalava (sarong) rather than shorts or pants, especially if they attend church.
- Almost all shops are shut on Sunday, so be sure to buy what you need the day before.
- Shoes should be removed before entering a fale.
- Never stand within a fale when elders are seated.
- When sitting in a fale, avoid pointing your feet at others. Either tuck them away, cross them (yoga style) or cover them with a lavalava or mat.
- Always ask permission from your host before taking photos in a village.
- Don’t offer children money, even if they ask.
Food
Food is a very important part of Samoan life. Wherever and whenever Samoans travel they take food with them. If you spend any time travelling in and around the Pacific you will undoubtably come across the sight of Samoans at airports carrying special boxes with the words 'Umu' printed on the side. They are the equivalent of a take-away, but more of these later. If they are travelling farther afield to visit friends and relations in America or Europe then you can be pretty certain that somewhere in their luggage is a tin or two of Hellaby's corned beef.
Samoan food tends not to be highly spiced or seasoned and consists of a number of cooked ingredients that are relatively unfamiliar or prepared in unusal ways to most Westerners such as cooked breadfuit, taro, taro leaves, cooked green bananas and raw fish.
Wherever you go and whatever you are presented with you should eat what you are presented with, with perhaps one exception; the easiest way to make friends in Samoa, and it is not difficult to do, is not to behave like a palagi.
It is recommended that visitors drink boiled water, or alternatively bottled water which is readily available in most stores at very reasonable prices throughout Samoa.
Climate & When to go
When you're talking paradise, any time is a good time to go. As a general rule, however, you might find your Polynesian parade being rained on in December and January and your holiday smile melting in the humid months between November and April. The very best time to go is in the dry season between May and October when the weather is perfect and the events calendar is full.
If you're a keen diver or into big game fishing, the Polynesian Dive Fest and the Game Fishing Tournament take place in mid-August. The Rising of the Palolo, one of the most fascinating natural phenomenon, takes place on the coral reefs of Savai'i in October and the Samoan cultural event of the year, the Teuila Tourism Festival, takes place in September.
Currency & Banking
Samoa operates a decimal currency based on TALA for dollar and SENE for cents. The currency cannot be changed offshore. The Bank of Samoa, Pacific Commercial Bank and Post Office Savings Bank are all located in Apia and are open weekdays 9am-3pm. The Bank of Samoa provides Saturday services 8.30am-11.30am.
Electricity
240 voltage but can be converted to 110 volts in most hotels. Supply can be disrupted, especially in outlying areas. The electricity in the populated area of Upolu is a combination of hydro-electric and diesel-electric installations, whilst most of Savaii is wood-fuel turbine and diesel engine installations.
Getting Around
Apia Harbour is by far the largest and busiest harbour in Samoa. International shipping with containers, LPG gas, and fuels all dock here. Ferries to Tokelau and American Samoa depart from here.
Apia is served by a good road network, which is generally kept reasonably well maintained. Most of the main roads are sealed; the unsealed roads have lower use. Vehicles drive on the right-hand side of the road although much disputed legislation is in train to change to the other side. Speed limits are 40 km/h near the centre of town and 55 km/h in the rest of the country with a 25 km/h limit in special circumstances.
The country has no trains or trams, but is served with an extensive bus service. People commonly walk around the town, or even for some distances outside it. There are few bicycles and motorcycles, but increasing numbers of privately owned cars which cause traffic congestion in the inner city. Taxis are a common form of transport.
The small airstrip in Fagali'i, which was used for internal flights and some international flights to Pago Pago in American Samoa has now been closed. The main international airport, Faleolo International Airport, is a 40-minute drive west of the city.
Tipping
Tipping is not compulsory in Samoa, but is acceptable, especially for excellent service. A small gift is welcomed just as much as a monetary tip.
Departure Tax
International Departure tax is US$40.00 Adults over 12 years. Children under 12 years are exempt.