Samoa part II Upolu

Now, time for some general information! Samoa consists of nine islands in total, the two biggest and well known ones are the main islands and are called Upolu, the bigger one with the Airport and capital, and Savai'i, where you can get by ferry. We were still on Upolu island, where we landed with the plane and now had finally arrived at the Lalomanu beach. Denis had promised us special discounts on the beach fales, which are the typical Samoan beach huts – fale means house in Samoan – and we weren’t surprised when it didn’t work out. A fale is a simple, but beautiful hut, open to all side, normally with jalousie made from banana leaves or plastic. They don’t have walls in Samoa to use every breeze possible. On the floor lies a carpet and on that a mattress with a mosquito net. You only close the jalousie, if it is too windy, raining, or you want to have your privacy. Can you imagine, how good it feels to sleep, almost under the sky, directly at the sea, hearing and seeing the waves washing on the shores, feeling the comfortably fresh wind gliding over your body at night and cooling the heat of the day? The breakfast and dinner were included in the price and it was so cheap! We had best weather, white beaches, deep blue sea, palms, fresh linen, a tidy kitchen and bathroom. It felt like paradise on earth and we wanted to stay here! In the Taufua beach fales! That is what we did, for the next five days. Dinner and breakfast consisted of a huge, diversified buffet, with regional products and everything was delicious. The whole day music was played, the people were friendly and relaxed. We went swimming, relaxed on the beach and all got a big sunburn. But we were so satisfied with life. I mean can it be any better?

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We stayed together with the Argentinian couple and got to know many amazing people, but the most amazing were two Swedish, a girl and a boy, who decided to join our little group and with whom we also continued travelling. On one day, we went to To-Sua to a big, wonderful swimming hole. The one, that I always see and still see in the internet and everyone wants to go there. It was just amazing!

Wednesdays is Lobster Night, which means we had fresh lobster for dinner, which was absolutely delicious, and then the FiaFia performance. The native people were showing traditional dances and songs. The highlight was the impressive fire show and the final dance, where everyone had to participate. It is pretty similar to the Maori traditions, but a bit different. In the night, we went swimming in the ocean because the water is always of a good temperature. It was five very wonderful days and we had enjoyed the good weather, which had indeed been very good, not as our dear Denis told us. Except from that one hour rain per day, which is ok, because you have to escape the heat anyway. It was so hot that I didn’t even have a problem with the only cold showers, actually I loved them. After these relaxing days, we decided that we wanted to discover more than only this beach and continued to the other island. So, the six of us took the bus to the harbour, which is already a great adventure. I was always afraid to lose my luggage as it was never with me, but somewhere else in the bus. But the people are so friendly and honest and always gave everything back, when we left. The only thing you have to pay attention to is the prices of the ticket, they like to increase them for foreigners as they don’t know the normal prices. Of course, we missed the ferry. No surprise with the Samoan understanding of time and punctuality. They are always relaxed and there is no pressure because no one has to be anywhere on time. So, we waited four hours for the next one, not a problem, we are on holiday!

In general, I have the feeling that the Samoan people are very calm and relaxed. Most of them do not work as there is no work, but they are not really poor, because there is always enough to eat. The island is full of food and no one cares if you take bananas or a coconut from somehere. The heat and high humidity is also contra productive for work and I always see the people just sitting around. The amount of food is good as it helps the people to survive, but most of the people here are obese. They eat all day, but don't move. And then, there is the fact that they fry everything, which adds up to that. But everyone is friendly and always shares their food. Very open minded and social people.

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