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Featured Book Moon Handbooks - South Pacific |
Photo - Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa
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Palolo Deep Marine Reserve
Palolo Rise
Papapapai Falls
Papasa’ea Sliding Rocks
Passports
Parenzo’s
Pe’ape’a Cave
Pharmacies
Picnics
Piula Cave Pool
Police
Polynesia
Polynesian Airlines
Polynesian Blue
Population
Pornography
Post Restante
Postal Services
Public Holidays
Public Toilets
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Palolo Deep Marine ReserveThis delightful spot is only five minutes walk from the centre of Apia (head east to Vaiala Beach). There’s a blue hole surrounded by walls of coral and tropical fish so it’s great for snorkelling, diving and swimming or just relaxing with a picnic. There are toilets, showers and changing rooms and snorkel gear can be hired.>Top
Palolo RiseTwice a year the palolo reef worm rises from the coral and releases a ‘tail’ that contains eggs and sperm - and twice a year Samoans are waiting before dawn with their lanterns and their nets to catch this delicacy called ‘the caviar of the Pacific’. It’s not only prized for its culinary delights, it also sells for a high price. Some will eat it straight from the sea, others prefer the fried alternative. I haven’t tried it personally but I’m thinking an elongated oyster with more wriggling. The actual date for the rising is governed by the moon but it always happens late October and late November. It also happens in Fiji.>Top
Papapa-tai FallsAlso known as ‘Tiavi Falls’, this spectacular 100m waterfall is 2.3km past Lanotoo Road on the right heading south on the road across the island from Apia. There is a viewing area but the cliff edge is unstable.>Top
Papasa’ea Sliding RocksThis natural (and fun) attraction is only 6km from Apia (bus or taxi). You can slide down three rocks into deep freshwater pools - very refreshing after the hike up from the bus stop. This is also one attraction that is open Sunday. Pay $2 fee at the entrance (to an adult).>Top
Parenzo’sParenzo’s Restaurant is a delightful little Italian place at Siufaga Beach Resort on Savai’i (the resort owners are Italian). Well-priced pasta dishes and whole lobster from $40 (Samoan!) depending on the size. Eat on the upstairs balcony overlooking the turquoise waters.>Top
PassportsCheck that you have six months validity on your passport before travelling. Apart from a valid passport you need a return or onward ticket to enter Samoa.>Top
Pe’ape’a CaveThis cave is in the north of Savai’i. You’ll need a torch or headlamp, water and some fitness or hiking experience to explore this lava tube. Enlist the services of a guide. If you are there in mango season, ripe ones are a bargain at $2 for about five! There’s also a Peapea Cave on Upolo. The track begins at the Togitogiga Falls carpark and can be difficult to find so, again, enlist the services of a guide. Entrance is $5 per person.>Top
PharmaciesThere are three pharmacies in Apia. Apia Pharmacy’s phone number is 22 703.>Top
PicnicsPopular picnic spots include the stunning Togitogiga Falls. There are excellent swimming holes, toilets and changing rooms here and admission is free. Also Piula Cave Pool (below) and Paolo Deep Marine Reserve (above). If you would like to know about private beach picnics for two, email here.>Top
Piula Cave PoolThe entrance to this wonderful pool is through the gates to the Methodist Theological College just east of Saoluafata Beach. Swim, snorkel, picnic, relax… the water is exceptionally clear. The first cave for swimming is just below the church. The second cave is long, dark and deep and is good for snorkelling. There’s a fee of $2 (closed Sunday)>Top
PoliceThere’s probably fewer police per head of population than in other parts of the world because Samoan society has the matai (head of family) to keep people in line. The police station in Apia is just behind the courthouse off Beach Road - phone ‘many twos’ - 22 222.>Top
PolynesiaPolynesia is more water than land covering a fifth of the world’s surface from Hawaii to Easter Island to New Zealand. In between are dotted the tropical destinations of Samoa, Tonga, French Polynesian and the Cook Islands. Melanesia is ‘next door’ (Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, New Guinea).>Top
Polynesian AirlinesUntil recently the government owned airline flew both international and domestic routes. With Virgin (Polynesian Blue) taking over the international routes, the government has retained services from Apia to Savai’i, Tonga, American Samoa and code-shares with Air Pacific to Fiji.>Top
Polynesian BluePolynesian Blue is 49% owned by Virgin, 49% by the Samoan government with the remaining 2% owned by the influential Grey family. The in-flight crew has mostly transferred from Polynesian Airlines and they have had a quick tutorial in Virgin/Pacific Blue attitude. Polynesian Blue now flies direct from Australia (Sydney) three times a week as well as direct from Auckland.>Top
PopulationAbout 175,000 people live in Samoa with approximately the same number of Samoans living in the United States, New Zealand and Australia. About half the population lives in the northwest of Upolu in the villages that line the main road from Apia to the Airport (35km).>Top
PornographyThis is a big no-no in Samoan culture. Don’t even think of taking pornographic material into the country.>Top
Post RestanteThe office is in the main SamoaTel building on Beach Road, behind the main lobby. If you want an address in Samoa you can use: Post RestanteChief Post Office SamoaTel, Apia, Samoa Underline the surname when addressing. >Top
Postal ServicesThe post office is now part of SamoaTel, located on Beach Road in Apia (Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm. You can purchase phone cards to use in payphones here.>Top
Public HolidaysHere’s the 2006 calendar for public holidays:
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Public ToiletsPublic toilets are located behind the clock tower in the centre of Apia and, as mentioned in other parts of this guide, McDonalds keeps its restrooms to a high standard of cleanliness. Bars are stricter in only having toilets for patrons but that’s a good excuse for a Vailima…>Top
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